Natural PMS Remedies

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You may also find this article on herbs for a healthy female reproductive system to be helpful. 

It is estimated that 75% of women have some type of negative symptoms associated with their menstrual cycle! Unfortunately, these symptoms are often thought to be normal and just part of being a woman when, in fact, they are most often a symptom of a larger problem. The good news is that once that larger problem is addressed, those symptoms can be significantly lessened and even gotten rid of altogether with simple natural pms remedies. 

What Does PMS Mean?

PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome. This term is a catch-all phrase for a variety of symptoms women may experience before menstruation. 

PMS Symptoms

Women experience more or less severe PMS symptoms. They include:

• abdominal bloating
• cramping
• clots in menstrual blood
• headaches
• trouble with sleep
• acne
• herpes outbreaks
• low back pain
• changes in bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea, loose stools)
• low back pain
• tender breasts
• fatigue
• swelling of the hands and feet
• mood swings
• anxiety

PMS Medication

The most common PMS medication prescribed by doctors are pain-relieving pharmaceuticals like naproxen or tylenol. In some cases doctors may prescribe hormonal birth control that blocks ovulation, which decreases PMS symptoms for some women.

Holistic View on the Causes of PMS

Rather than simply treating the PMS symptoms with drugs, as an herbalist I want to figure out the root cause of the problems and work from there. 

Undoubtedly some type of hormonal disruption can be a large reason why someone is experiencing PMS symptoms. However, instead of using herbs to “balance hormones”, it is better to determine why the hormones are out of whack in the first place. Once that is resolved, your beautiful and complex body can function optimally without outside interventions. 

See my article to learn more about the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system. 

Causes of PMS

Causes of PMS include:

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency can lead to difficulties with sleep and cramping of the uterus. Many women find that magnesium supplements help their painful cramping tremendously. 

Sedentary Lifestyle
Exercise moves the blood, detoxes the liver and makes you feel good. Strength training, aerobic exercise and yoga all have tremendous benefits for the female reproductive system and can bring PMS relief. 

Unhealthy Diet
Eating lots of highly processed foods high in Omega 6 oils can promote stagnation and inflammation. Lots of fresh vegetables, healthy fish like wild salmon, healthy grass-fed meats and non-glutinous grains can relieve PMS symptoms. 

Liver Qi Stagnation
In Traditional Chinese Medicine the most common pattern for PMS symptoms is Liver Qi Stagnation. Someone with this pattern may have uterine cramping, clots in the blood, headaches, breast tenderness, nausea, alternating diarrhea and constipation, wiry pulse, anxiety and moodiness. 

Blood Deficiency
Another common pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine is Blood Deficiency (note the Chinese understanding of Blood is different than the western one.) Symptoms of Blood Deficiency include headaches after menstruation, pale face, poor memory, dizziness, pale tongue, light bleeding, amenorrhea (lack of a period). 

Herbal Remedies for PMS

Herbs can be some great natural pms remedies. Herbal remedies for PMS can be used in a couple of different ways. 

First, many anti-spasmodic herbs can be taken as needed to relieve pain. Just like tylenol or ibuprofen this a bandaid solution to the problem. While anti-spasmodic herbs can effectively stop the painful cramping (without the side effects of over-the-counter medications), they don’t address the underlying cause. 

Don’t get me wrong, if you are in pain, they by all means use the anti-spasmodic herbs. But using them month after month never solves the underlying problem. You will find the most relief if you start taking anti-spasmodic herbs before the cramping starts. 

Feeling anxious, cranky or moody? Relaxing nervine herbs can promote calmness and relaxation. 

The other way herbal remedies for PMS can be used is to address the underlying cause. 

Bitter herbs and cholagogue herbs can be used to support and move the liver. (Oftentimes PMS symptoms are caused by poor liver function.) 

Blood-building herbs can build Blood. 

Adaptogen herbs can support overall health, support the endocrine system and promote a healthy relationship with stress. 

Nourishing herbs are full of vitamins and minerals. A deficiency of vitamins and minerals (notably magnesium) can be a root cause of PMS symptoms. 

Summary

Women often accept PMS symptoms as a natural part of life. Granted, you should feel something as your body goes through this monthly physiological pain, but severe pms symptoms that make a big impact in your ability to get through your day is not normal! There is a myriad of natural pms remedies that can be used.

So if you are ready to move beyond your painful periods, call me for a free fifteen minute conversation about how herbs could help you!