Natural Relief for Pain Menstrual Cramps And Other PMS Symptoms
It is estimated that one-third to one-half of women experience premenstrual syndrome symptoms each month. Premenstrual symptoms can include fatigue, painful cramps, weight gain, irritability, feelings of depression, bloating, and mood swings. There are several natural ways in which you can relieve premenstrual symptoms, including naturally relieving painful cramps.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) occurs in approximately one-third to one-half of all women residing in the United States. No one knows for certain what causes PMS symptoms, but it is believed to be due to a hormonal imbalance. Research has indicated a lot of women who experience PMS have low levels of progesterone. If you experience PMS, you might want to consider trying one of these natural remedies to see if it helps with your symptoms.
Dietary Changes
Janet Zand recommends women eat an especially healthy diet around the time of their monthly cycle. She suggests women should avoid eating a lot of sugar and alcohol, and instead eat a lot of complex carbohydrates and vegetables. Eating an increased amount of fiber may also help ease PMS symptoms, according to The Holistic Internet Community.
Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., and president of Healthcom Inc. agrees with Janet Zand; he suggests a diet containing low fat content, moderate amounts of protein, and eating more complex-carbohydrates is good for women who have especially painful menstrual cycles.
Herbal Remedies
Health magazine suggests taking chasteberry tree for PMS symptoms. The magazine asserts chasteberry tree seems to increase levels of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate levels of prolactin within the body. Prolactin has been linked with breast tenderness, painful periods, and irritability. Health suggests taking 250-500mg of chasteberry tree everyday for a period of three months. If you have a painful period or other PMS symptoms the next month, continue taking the herb.
The Holistic Internet Community also asserts the herbs dong quai, sarsaparilla root, and yam root are helpful in restoring hormonal balance within the body, which reduces PMS symptoms. Master herbalist, Kathi Keville, also says some women experience symptoms relief while taking feverfew, which has an effect on prostaglandins, which in turn helps balance hormones in the body.
Keville also suggests evening primrose oil and black currant oil, which contain gamma-linolenic acid can help with premenstrual symptoms. Apparently gamma-linolenic acid increases the levels of a prostaglandin known as PGE1, which has been shown to make PMS symptoms worse when women have a low level of it in their bodies.
These natural remedies may relieve the PMS symptoms you experience each month around the time of your menstrual cycle. If you know of any other natural PMS relief, please feel free to share in the comments section of this post!
Sources:
Health, All-Natural Remedies That Honestly Work (p.79). April, 2008
The Holistic Internet Community: Managing PMS Naturally by Sue Frederick
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