What Causes A Hormonal Imbalance
“Your hormones fluctuate naturally, with certain life events such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause causing them to change more dramatically. However, there are other factors that can create hormonal imbalances, such as stress, sleep, the food and drink that we consume, eating disorders and medication. Even using plastic can disrupt our hormones!”
Need For Evening Primrose Oil
Some believe that women who suffer from PMS do not have enough of the enzyme needed to produce a fatty acid called gamma linolenic acid, which supposedly leads to a deficiency of a very active biochemical called prostaglandin E-1. That deficiency, they claim, is evening primrose oil, sometimes sold as Enfamil, which contains the “missing” fatty acid and allows the balance to be restored. Besides the fact that evening primrose oil, widely available in health food stores, is expensive, it has never been demonstrated that a prostaglandin deficiency is what causes PMS symptoms or that any oil given in supplemental form will turn such a deficiency around. And as with B-6 supplements, evening primrose oil has never been clinically proven to decrease the emotional mood swings of premenstrual syndrome. It can, however, cause gastric irritation if taken on an empty stomach. Once of evening primrose’s greatest fans, by the way, is David Horrobin, formerly of the University of Montreal, who is affiliated with a manufacturer of evening primrose oil supplements.
How Is Pms Diagnosed
There is no single test for PMS. Your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms, including when they happen and how much they affect your life.
You probably have PMS if you have symptoms that:12
- Happen in the five days before your period for at least three menstrual cycles in a row
- End within four days after your period starts
- Keep you from enjoying or doing some of your normal activities
Keep track of which PMS symptoms you have and how severe they are for a few months. Write down your symptoms each day on a calendar or with an app on your phone. Take this information with you when you see your doctor.
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When Natural Ways Dont Work
In some cases, eating right and exercising arent enough to help women. If youve tried natural ways to help with your PMS, your doctor may recommend fluoxetine or other serotonin-enhancing medications.
Sometimes, women say they have PMS when, in fact, they are depressed, says Dr. Bradley. But with PMS sufferers, as soon as their period starts, they feel better. When someone who tells me every day of the month theyre feeling depressed, that is not PMS. But sometimes, thats an easier word than saying theyre depressed.
Ingrown Hairs In My Armpits
The official name of ingrown hairs is folliculitis, which is swelling of the hair follicle. They can be super painful and are very much like cystic acne in your armpits.
I tried stopping shaving my armpits and wearing deodorant to see if it was my razor or deodorant that was causing my ingrown hairs. But neither my razor or deodorant seemed to make a difference. However, when I stopped taking the FLO gummies, the bumps would go away within 2 days. Every time I started taking FLO again, I would literally get ingrown hairs the next morning.
The interesting thing is that these ingrown hairs are often related to hormone imbalance. Does this mean that these gummy vitamins were making my hormones worse, not better?
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Too Much Calcium Too Little Magnesium
A physician named Guy Abraham has observed that some women with premenstrual symptoms have lower levels of the mineral magnesium than women who do not suffer from PMS, and out of that observation has grown the theory that PMS may have something to do with a magnesium deficiency. According to the theory, the deficiency develops in part because of too much calcium consumption in the form of dairy products. This forces calcium to compete with magnesium for absorption and leaves a woman with a magnesium shortfall. The “solution” is to take a magnesium supplement.
The hitch is that although some of the women with PMS had lower levels of magnesium in their blood cells than symptom-free women, their levels were still within normal range. The real problem in taking megadoses of magnesium is that a woman can, in fact, impair her absorption of calcium-a hazardous thing to do since it is now widely believed that adequate consumption of calcium helps guard against osteoporosis. Furthermore, women should be aware of the fact that in very high doses, magnesium can be toxic. And magnesium salts like those in Milk of Magnesia will act as laxative-even if you’re not looking for that effect.
Hormonal Balance For Women & Pms Relief Gummies
- Hormone Balance For Women -Chasteberry is a PMS mood swing & period relief supplement. It helps prevent skin breakouts, reduce breast tenderness & regulates mood swings by actively balancing hormones.
- Made In USA -These hormonal balance for women & PMS flo gummies are naturally formulated with Cranberry, Dong Quai & Chasteberry supplements to relieve your pain & support PMS, PMDD, & menopause symptoms
- Period Cramp Relief – Dong Quai is a naturally found pms supplement that relaxes the uterine muscles & helps relieve bloating, helps with cramp relief period symptoms & menopause support.
- Regulate Menstrual Cycle – These PMS vitamins for women contain Vitamin B6 which helps regulate hormones & promotes a regular cycle. It can also help stop unwanted cravings & irritability.
- Menopause Supplements For Women – Cranberry is known to avert night sweats & hot flashes caused by perimenopause & menopause. These hot flashes menopause relief gummies flush out unwanted substances.
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What Is The Return Policy
Return policy is the most important thing to consider regarding the best vitamins for pms mood swings from a manufacturer. If youre unsatisfied or something goes wrong with your purchase, youll want to know that you have some way to go about it. Additionally, weve compiled a list of highly reputable brands based on their return policies and customer service to help people find and choose the best vitamins for pms mood swings.
How Does Pms Affect Other Health Problems
About half of women who need relief from PMS also have another health problem, which may get worse in the time before their menstrual period.12 These health problems share many symptoms with PMS and include:
- Depression and anxiety disorders.These are the most common conditions that overlap with PMS. Depression and anxiety symptoms are similar to PMS and may get worse before or during your period.
- Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome . Some women report that their symptoms often get worse right before their period. Research shows that women with ME/CFS may also be more likely to have heavy menstrual bleeding and early or premature menopause.14
- Irritable bowel syndrome . IBS causes cramping, bloating, and gas. Your IBS symptoms may get worse right before your period.
- Bladder pain syndrome. Women with bladder pain syndrome are more likely to have painful cramps during PMS.
PMS may also worsen some health problems, such as asthma, allergies, and migraines.
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How To Tame Pms
Before I get to my recommended list of foods for PMS, I want to tackle a very important topic: food cravings.
Many of the women Ive worked with over the years have struggled to maintain their otherwise healthy eating habits when theyre in their premenstrual or luteal phase. Its then that their resolve is weakest. I get it the intense cravings that PMS brings can derail the best of us.
I help women address the root causes of cravings. I also know its important to have healthy alternatives on hand when cravings strike! Here are the most common food cravings during the luteal phase, along with healthy alternatives that wont make your hormone imbalances worse.
Managing Your Menstrual Cycle
Most women dont look forward to that time of the month. But there are strategies to decrease PMS symptoms and painful periods. For additional treatments for dysmenorrhea, speak with a healthcare provider. Always consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more before starting a new supplement.
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How The Intervention Might Work
Deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals including vitamin B, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium may play a role in PMS. This hypothesis is based primarily on the high incidence of PMS in populations with low levels of these micronutrients .
Magnesium is essential for the brains dopaminergic synthesis. Dopamine imbalance can affect mood and can lead to overwhelming anxiety . Previous studies have reported decreased circulating magnesium concentrations during the luteal phase among women with PMS, suggesting that magnesium deficiency may be a key factor in the aetiology of PMS .
conducted a substudy of a prospective Nurses Health Study, which found that women with high intake of vitamin D and calcium carried lower risk of developing PMS compared with those in the group with low intake, with a risk ratio of 0.59 0.40 to 0.86) and 0.70 , respectively. A previous study noted that a calcium deficiency during the luteal phase among women with PMS was secondary to the disturbance of calciumregulating hormones that follows the rise in ovarian steroid hormone concentrations and vitamin D deficiency .
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Pms Food Craving #: Chocolate
Chocolate cravings can signal a magnesium deficiency. It may also indicate an overgrowth of bad bacteria and yeast in your gut, which makes you crave sugar. Taking a high-quality magnesium supplement can help curb sugar cravings. So can taking a high-quality probiotic.
Whats the alternative? The great news here is that chocolate is a superfood and I eat a little chocolate most days myself, BUT its all about what kind of chocolate you have. Chocolate with dairy and sugar is a no-go, but good quality, organic, dark chocolate with minimal or, even better, no sugar or dairy is a healthy, hormone-supportive choice. Try adding raw cacao powder to smoothies or sprinkling on fruit salad, or try a high-quality dark chocolate bar. One of my favorite brands is Endangered Species.
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Make Organic And Clean The Main Part Of Your Life
When youre standing in the grocery aisle or at the makeup counter and the clean products and organic foods are more expensive than the conventional option, it can be easy to make the wallet-friendly choice. But what you need to keep in mind in these moments is the true cost of the choice youre making. The toxins in these foods and products come into direct contact with the body and alter endocrine function, making period problems like PMS worse. You may save at check-out, but you are ultimately paying with your health. Eat organic and clean whenever possible.
Chasteberry For Tender Breasts & Acne
Chasteberry, also known as Vitex or Monks pepper, is a herbal remedy that has consistently been shown to treat PMS and menopause symptoms.
These symptoms include:
Researchers believe that chasteberry reduces these symptoms by .
How to Take It
The herb comes in three forms: liquid, capsules, and tablets. According to most clinical trials, a dose of 20-40 mg a day is enough to treat PMS symptoms.
With this being said, every brand has specific usage and dosage instructions. So make sure to read these labels carefully as well as talk to a healthcare provider or doctor to discuss any potential side effects.
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Treatment For Menstrual Symptoms
Discomfort with premenstrual symptoms can be alleviated through medications and lifestyle changes. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can help with depressive symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and diuretics can reduce water retention and cramping. Contraceptives such as oral birth control alter ovulation and provide PMS symptom relief.
Lifestyle changes can help manage and improve PMS symptoms. Eating smaller meals throughout the day can reduce bloating. Skipping meals will only increase irritability. Avoiding salty foods will help with fluid retention. Calcium-rich foods can help reduce occurrences of PMS. Eating a well-balanced diet all month long is better than changing dietary habits during menstruation. Cravings such as sugar may arise due to hormonal changes. Indulging somewhat is fine but dont overload on sugar. Alcohol can increase depressive symptoms.
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Other Natural Ways To Treat Pms
Besides taking supplements, another way to minimize PMS is with lifestyle changes, such as stress management. Some natural methods include getting plenty of exercise, such as swimming, walking, or jogging. Yoga can help reduce stress while giving the body a workout. Theres also evidence to support the idea that yoga can help decrease the symptoms of PMS. A few other alternative therapies that may be worth trying for PMS include acupuncture, massage therapy, and aromatherapy.
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Seven Secrets For Pms Symptom Relief
Wellness
DISCLAIMER
This blog has not been approved by your local health department and is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Read More
Premenstrual syndrome is a recurrent condition in women characterized by troublesome symptoms seven to fourteen days before menstruation. Typical symptoms include decreased energy level, tension, irritability, depression, headache, altered sex drive, breast pain, backache, abdominal bloating, and edema of the fingers and ankles. Severe PMS, with depression, irritability, and extreme mood swings, is referred to as premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
For many years, it was commonly believed that elevated estrogen levels and reduced progesterone levels five to ten days before the menses were responsible for PMS. However, this belief is no longer popular. The dominant thought now is that rather than alterations in estrogen and progesterone levels in the blood, PMS is the result of alterations in brain chemistry that influence many factors, including the sensitivity of the brain to hormones. The chief factor that is most often promoted as the underlying issue in PMS is lower levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Not surprisingly, recent research shows that many of the natural antidepressant agents may have benefits for PMS.
What Are The Symptoms Of Pms
Symptoms of PMS are varied. However, many people may experience mood swings, breast tenderness, fatigue, food cravings, and acne flare-ups. Some other problems include headaches, crying spells, changes in sex drive, irritability, and weight gain. For most people, these symptoms are relatively mild. However, these symptoms can cause severe pain and emotional distress for a small percentage of menstruating people. While science has not been able to pinpoint what causes PMS, some triggers are believed to be hormones and chemical changes in the body.
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What Complementary Or Alternative Medicines May Help Relieve Pms Symptoms
Some women report relief from their PMS symptoms with yoga or meditation. Others say herbal supplements help relieve symptoms. Talk with your doctor or nurse before taking any of these supplements. They may interact with other medicines you take, making your other medicine not work or cause dangerous side effects. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbal supplements at the same level that it regulates medicines.
Some research studies show relief from PMS symptoms with these herbal supplements, but other studies do not. Many herbal supplements should not be used with other medicines. Some herbal supplements women use to ease PMS symptoms include:
- Black cohosh.28 The underground stems and root of black cohosh are used fresh or dried to make tea, capsules, pills, or liquid extracts. Black cohosh is most often used to help treat menopausal symptoms,29 and some women use it to help relieve PMS symptoms.
- Chasteberry.30 Dried ripe chasteberry is used to prepare liquid extracts or pills that some women take to relieve PMS symptoms. Women taking hormonal birth control or hormone therapy for menopause symptoms should not take chasteberry.
- Evening primrose oil. The oil is taken from the plants seeds and put into capsules. Some women report that the pill helps relieve PMS symptoms, but the research results are mixed.29
Researchers continue to search for new ways to treat PMS. Learn more about current PMS treatment studies at clinicaltrials.gov.
Dong Quai Root For Insomnia
Dong Quai Root has been used for more than 2,000 years to reduce PMS symptoms, increase libido, decrease sleep disturbances and insomnia, and regulate the menstrual cycle. Its also great for relaxing the bowels and relieving abdominal pain.
For more natural herbs that can treat insomnia, read our guide on 10+ natural herbs for sleep .
How to Take It
You can take Dong Quai in:
- Raw form, as a root, twig, or leaf
- Pill form, mixed with other herbs
- Injection form, usually done in China and Japan
- Dried form, boiled as a tea or made into a soup
Whatever form you choose, make sure to purchase it from a trustworthy, research-supported source that is 100% plant-based and non-GMO.
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Black Cohosh For Headaches
Black cohosh has a long, ancient history amongst Native American women for treating PMS and menstrual issues.
The root contains anti-inflammatory properties that even out estrogen levels and reduce the overstimulation caused during PMS. This leads to less swelling and cramping, which prevents menstrual and PMS migraines.
How to Take It
For PMS symptoms, wed recommend taking 20 to 80 mg of black cohosh a day. You can find the herb available as a tablet/capsule. Two tablets or capsules typically cover the recommended daily dose.
