Your Guide to Managing PMS Naturally

This article is for educational purposes only and not intended to replace the advice of your physician or health care provider. Speak to your doctor if you think that your condition may be serious, before discontinuing any medication that has been prescribed for you, or before starting any new treatment.

An illustration of a lady suffering with PMS laying on a bed.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a hormonal concern, primarily impacting women who menstruate, with symptoms often escalating during puberty and just before menopause. Its causes remain a mystery, but experts associate it with hormonal imbalances, particularly the estrogen-progesterone relationship.

What Does PMS Look Like?

Emotional symptoms include irritability, anxiety, mood swings, and feelings of depression among others. On the other hand, physical symptoms manifest through bloating, weight gain, cravings, acne, and fatigue.

Approaches to PMS Relief

Fortunately, PMS isn't something you have to endure without fight. Effective management hinges on a holistic approach, blending nutrition, supplements, herbal remedies, and homeopathy.

Boosting your intake of fresh foods rich in B6, zinc, magnesium, and omega 3’s promotes hormonal balance. Whole foods like lean meats, oily fish, pulses, nuts, seeds and leafy greens assist your body in hormone production.

Supplements: Your Non-Dietary Allies

Vital for hormonal modulations:

Vitamin B6: Promotes mood-enhancing brain chemicals (neurotransmitters)
Vitamin E: Assists in managing mood swings and breast pain
Magnesium: Essentially, a natural tranquillizer
Chromium: Handles sugar cravings by controlling blood sugar levels
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Deficiency signs include depression, fatigue, dry skin, hair and eyes

Herbal Supplements: Nature's High-Powered Weapons Against PMS

Agnus castus: Regulates hormones to reduce irritability, bloating, and cravings.
Dandelion root: Acts as a diuretic and assists the liver in managing estrogen
Dong Quai: Relieves mood swings, pain, and low energy
Licorice: Handles hormonal ratios to alleviate stress and fatigue
Wild yam: Especially beneficial during the progesterone dominated phase for balancing hormones

Homeopathic Relief

Pulsatilla: Beneficial for sensitive women with bloating issues
Sepia: Best for irritable, chilly women who are fatigued and sensitive, especially around food
Folliculinum: Great for bloating and weight gain, migraines before periods
Ignatia: For emotionally vulnerable women who exhibit mood swings
Lachesis: Works well for talkative women who get easily annoyed, with left-sided bloating
Magnesium phosphoricum: Manages intense cramps relieved by warmth or bending
Chamomilla: Excellent for extreme menstrual pain accompanied by irritability

Facing PMS isn’t easy, but understanding your symptoms combined with a multifaceted approach to management can help make it bearable. Seek your preferred mix of nutrition, supplements, and homeopathy to keep those dreaded hormonal swings in check!

Ulrike Holzer LSECH MSCH MARH

Registered Homeopath