You Don't Have To Suffer With PMS
You Dont Have to Suffer With PMS
By: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP
We now know that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is experienced by 60% of all women. What causes PMS has been difficult for researchers to pin down because each woman experiences symptoms differently.
PMS Symptoms
When making the diagnosis, the most important tool you can use is a chart of the cyclic nature in which they occur. If nothing is done to interrupt PMS, it often gets worse over time. You may begin by having symptoms just a few days before your period that stop abruptly as soon as your period begins. Later, the symptoms gradually begin to appear one to two weeks before the onset of menses. Over time, you may have only two or three days of the month that are symptom-free. Eventually no discernable pattern of good days and bad days can be detected. You feel as if you have PMS all of the time.
There are general symptoms that have been determined that include:
Abdominal bloating
Abdominal cramping
Accident proneness, coordination difficulties
Acne, hives
Aggression, rage
Alcohol intolerance
Anxiety, irritability, suicidal thoughts
Asthma
Back pain
Breast swelling and pain
Bruising
Confusion
Depression, withdrawal from others, emotional liability
Edema
Exacerbation of preexisting conditions (lupus, arthritis, ulcers, herpes, etc.)
Fatigue, lethargy
Fainting
Food binges, salt cravings, sweet cravings
Headache, migraine
Heart palpitations
Insomnia
Joint swelling and pain
Nausea
Seizures
Sex drive changes
Sinus problems
Sore throat
Urinary difficulties
Dont confuse PMS with cramps occurring at the beginning of your period, which is a different condition.
Chart the Pattern
You dont have to suffer. By keeping a chart of your symptoms, you can often begin to see a pattern emerge and predict when the symptoms will start. Keeping a daily symptom journal can be a valuable tool when trying to uncover your premenstrual symptom triggers and the issues associated with them. Many events and other factors can contribute to or trigger your PMS by resulting in hormonal changes in the body, including:
Onset of menses
Perimenopause
Discontinuing birth control pills
Amenorrhea
Childbirth, or termination of pregnancy
Toxemia during pregnancy
Tubal ligation
Unusual trauma
Decreased light associated with autumn and winter
Family history of alcoholism; parent or grandparent who is an alcoholic
High consumption of dairy products
Excessive consumption of caffeine (soft drinks, coffee, chocolate)
High blood levels of estrogen
Low blood levels of progesterone, either
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due to lack of production or excessive breakdown
Diet that leads to increased levels of the hormone prostaglandin F2
Excess body weight which can increase you levels of estrogen
Low levels of vitamins B, C and/or E
Selenium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency causing chocolate cravings
End the Suffering
Many of the factors in this list you can control. For years allopathic (traditional) medicine has given symptomatic treatments for PMS that do not work. Most physicians do not know the latest research on hormone balancing. Some never had any training in PMS. Treating a womans bloating with diuretics, headaches with painkillers, and anxiety with Valium ignores the underlying imbalance that led to PMS. Many of the treatments prescribed often have side effects. Psychotherapy can provide insight about stress, but this bypasses the nutritional and biochemical aspects of this disorder.
Dont give up! There are answers that can help you heal your PMS:
·Adopt a diet of fresh, in-season, organic fruits and vegetables.
Review your dietary needs eliminating caffeine, sugar, dairy and excess soy.
Take good organic multivitamin mineral supplements.
Reduce stress.
Consider participating in a 12-step program if alcoholism runs in your family.
Get at least 20 minute of aerobic exercise five times per week.
Try reflexology.
Get more natural or full-spectrum light.
Test hormone levels and apply natural progesterone.
For more suggestions go to www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org and www.oasisserene.com
At Oasis Advanced Wellness hormonal levels can be tested with a simple and inexpensive saliva test performed in the privacy of your own home. With these results and your symptom journal, you can determine your need for natural hormone replacement therapy (HRT). One product that is safe and non-toxic is natural progesterone. It helps to balance the effects of estrogen, and has a calming effect on the nervous system. The use of natural progesterone in combination with lifestyle changes often improves PMS symptoms. By reviewing your symptoms, we can evaluate your diet and exercise program, create a program and then monitor your progress.
You can find out more about the solutions in my e-Book, Balancing Your Hormones Without Drugs
You Can Feel Good Again.
About the Author
Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist and Holistic Health Practitioner in the Houston, TX area and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. Dr. Lanphier is Editor of the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. www.oasisadvancedwellness.com Be sure and visit our hormonal balancing site at www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org and www.oasisserene.com
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