Natural ways to deal with PMS

[kindacrunchy]

I need help! I've been going through a lot these past couple of years and with a lot of counseling, I've been doing great. Except for that time of the month. This evil monster takes over my body! My almost 2 year old was having trouble falling asleep and after nursing him for over an hour, I was done! He screamed and cried, and I just laid there on my stomach. My husband came in and said "I'll pick you up." Then I started crying. It's awful. I'm cranky. Short tempered, etc, etc. Then when that time is over. I'm fine.
Any suggestions?

[papschmitty]

Acpuncture helped me a TON. I started it to help with our unexplained infertility. I used to get really bad PMS - irritable, emotional, short tempered, you name it. After a few acupuncture treatments, it was all gone. The only way I even knew my period was coming was because I was charting my cycle to get pg. It was wonderful, truly amazing really!

[snanna]

I wonder if you have thought about diet at all? I found that whole-foods-based veganism did amazing things for me, PMS-wise, especially when it came to mood and emotions. Cutting out sugar as the magical week neared also made a positive difference. Excercise, even very moderate excercise like walking for thirty minutes three times a week, was a piece of the puzzle that it took me a long time to add, but it turned out to be really helpful.

And good for you, going to counseling and getting stuff together-- it takes a lot of energy and fortitude to do these things.

Cut yourself some slack at these PMS times, too, mama, and ask for help. It's not just in your head!

[mamaMAMAma]

:

[Robert Goodman]

Peridin-C (C flavonoid complex including a standardized amount of hesperidin) from Beutlich is said to work vs. peri-menopausal hot flushing.

[maxwill129]

Great question! I have PMS so bad that I tell my DH I want a divorce each month!

I just noticed in the health forum there is a thread on menstruation:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=597520

I haven't read the whole thing yet, but did glance through it and it may be helpful...

[snitker79]

I will be following this discussion as well. I began regular monthly accupuncture treatments about 10months ago and it has seemed to help overall, but I still find I have 2-3 days during my cycle that I just can't stand to be touched and I lose my temper for really stupid reasons.

I have been taking evening primrose oil when I feel that I might be short tempered during the day, but it does take a bit to get into the system since it is in gel caps. And I just recently found out about Mother's Wart, which is in liquid form and seems to work quickly, but tastes absolutely terrible!

[jlpumkin]

I agree looking into diet to include avoiding caffeine, and not only sugar but sugar substitutes as well. I sort of suck at this... I know I should do better, but I see quite a bit of improvement when I am careful. I too torture dh each cycle - lucky for him I have PCOS so it's only a couple times a year - but just extra bad

[Healthymomma]

Really recommend GLA (gamma lanoleic acid) which has twice the concentration dosage of evening primrose oil. This product really helps to balance the hormones in the body so that we have more normal cycles not so much cramping and overall helps with our well-being.

HTH's~
Amber

[Spastica]

Supplements (higher dosage than the little bit in a multi-vitamin):

- B-Complex: hormone regulation and PMS-preventer
- Vitamins C and E (usually in combo - you may even get a combo with B-Complex). C strengthens capillaries in the uterus so it doesn't bleed so much, E helps dissolve ovarian cysts if you have any, and helps in other ways.
- Iron (slow - release) at least a week before period, but don't have it at the same time as the calcium combo. Iron absorbs better with C. - helps you feel less tired/drained and avoid getting migraines and low blood levels when you have your period.
- Magnesium/Calcium/Zinc combo supplement: PMS prevention and headache/tenderness prevention.

If I had to pick 1 for PMS only, I would pick B-complex. If you bleed a lot, do the Iron too.



Teas

- Chamomile: for cramping, irritability, headaches, bloating
- Red Zinger: for extra vitamin C, which helps strengthen the capillaries in your uterus and helps with balance
- Green Tea with Jasmine: the jasmine helps with headaches and with cramping

Cut down on salts, NO MSG, and caffiene (as previous poster said), and refined foods. Have protein when you're munchy, or you can make a trail mix of salty peanuts, raisins, m&m's and that's a great "PMS crunch" snack - it hits all the stuff you want when you're PMSing and it's not terrible for you.


Hope this helps,

Love, Spazzy
(the girl who bled 3 weeks out of four every month for almost 2 years before having a fibroid surgery AND PMS'ed and yelled at anybody and everything that was considered family to her, including Mom, boyfriend, and the dog).

[maxwill129]

Gina, GREAT info! I appreciate the advice (even though I'm not the one who started the thread!).

[Spastica]

No prob, Shannon, that's what forums are for.


I always used to cry and start fights with Paul and break up with him all the damn time too. You would have thought he would have had a calender and marked every 28-30 days - maybe after years of dating, he probably had a mental note "If she acts crazy around the Xth of the month, I'll know it's not really her."

[maxwill129]

Originally Posted by Spastica

No prob, Shannon, that's what forums are for.


I always used to cry and start fights with Paul and break up with him all the damn time too. You would have thought he would have had a calender and marked every 28-30 days - maybe after years of dating, he probably had a mental note "If she acts crazy around the Xth of the month, I'll know it's not really her."

Yeah, my DH used to get mad and fight with me when I was a b****, but he's finally learned that it's just one week out of the month and if he can manage to make it through, he'll get is wife back!

[Spastica]

Oh, few more items - if you're prone to PCOS:

PCOS is a side effect of having insulin resistance. Altering your diet helps wonders.


- Taurine: good for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol due to PCOS
- Milk Thistle: cleans out liver, which is a huge problem with people who have hormonal issues, the liver gets clogged with all the hormones dumped there; if the liver can't break it down, guess where it goes back to? Yup, back into your body. It's a vicious cycle.
-Chromium: for insulin resistance typical in people who have PCOS

[FluffiB]

I'm still looking for a miracle cure, but here's what I've been doing that helps tremendously.

Decaf green tea with chamomile. I drink it like iced tea, sometimes replacing water. Drinking it daily helped a lot.

Calcium. When I feel like I can't cope, I chew 2 Tums (I'm lactose intolerant, and I rarely have lactose-free milk on hand). I try to take them a week before my PMS too.

Bach Flower Remedy, Cherry Plum. I put 4 drops into a glass of water or my tea concoction and down it.

Drink lots of water and avoid excess salt and sugar intake.

DH already added "Hell Week" into his Outlook calendar every 4 weeks. Since starting the above, it's not so bad now.

[jlpumkin]

Originally Posted by Spastica

Oh, few more items - if you're prone to PCOS:

PCOS is a side effect of having insulin resistance. Altering your diet helps wonders.


- Taurine: good for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol due to PCOS
- Milk Thistle: cleans out liver, which is a huge problem with people who have hormonal issues, the liver gets clogged with all the hormones dumped there; if the liver can't break it down, guess where it goes back to? Yup, back into your body. It's a vicious cycle.
-Chromium: for insulin resistance typical in people who have PCOS

These are interesting. From my understanding insulin resistance is a symptom found in some people who have PCOS, not the cause of PCOS. Some have PCOS and not insulin resistance. Do you have some where you can point me to read a bit more on this school of thought? Thanks!

[artemis33]

essential fatty acids
cal/mag supplement
whole foods diet (I eat animal products but am generally very choosy about where they come from!)

My poor DH can guess when it is coming too I have a few days where I just get *very* impatient! But if I am good about my diet and supplements - and exercise too - it makes a big difference.

[Spastica]

It seems to be kind of chicken and egg in terms of insulin resistance. Not all PCOS women have cysts either. I just did a quick search. I'm sure there are better sources:

http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/

http://www.dreamababy.com/pcos-insulin.htm

http://www.pcosupport.org/living/nutrition/thoughts.php

http://www.soulcysters.com/symptoms.html

http://www.soulcysters.net/diet-poly...yndrome-23706/

[SoHappy]

This is a great thread from a while ago:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=129132

[maxwill129]

Originally Posted by Spastica

- Milk Thistle: cleans out liver, which is a huge problem with people who have hormonal issues, the liver gets clogged with all the hormones dumped there; if the liver can't break it down, guess where it goes back to? Yup, back into your body. It's a vicious cycle.

I've heard that milk thistle decreases milk supply. Anyone know if that's true? I'm low on milk as it is, so I don't want to take any chances!