PMS...Can I Find Relief?

I am sure when you think of PMS you think of a time, you yourself or another woman you know, when you may possibly be at your worst. Crying. Grumpy. Moody. Cravings. Headaches. Fatigue. Acne. These are just a few of the symptoms of this annoying medical issue...wait a medical issue? Yes that is right friends PMS is a legitimate medical condition and one which can be treated and relieved.

Premenstrual Syndrome is a medical condition in which women experience various symptoms which correlate with their upcoming menstrual bleeding. Many people do not realize this is a real thing and it can be very disruptive to ones life. Some say it is not known why women experience PMS, but if we look at the hormonal shift that occurs before the next menstrual cycle begins, really it's just about putting two and two together. It is estimated that, as many as 3 in 4 menstruating women have experienced some form of premenstrual syndrome. And the sad thing is a lot of women feel there is no relief out there for them. But guess what...there is!!!!

To determine if you need to make a lifestyle change or see a doctor for your PMS symptoms first you have to take a look and evaluate what's going on and the timing of it all. Many women say they experience there first indiction of menstruation 3-4 days beforehand, but you actually can start seeing signs 7-10 days before your next period.

When examining these traits of PMS one must evaluate the degree in which it is effecting the day too day. A great way to keep track of all this is to begin charting. Charting your cycle can help you keep a specific diary for your PMS symptoms. Seeing how often they occur and when they begin and end. Also charting can help if you need to see a NaPro trained physician. A NaPro trained doctor can look for signs of the low hormones that can cause PMS. If signs are being displayed in your charting hormone testing would be able tot take place. The specific hormones that would be tested are estrogen and progesterone. Having deficiencies in these two hormones can cause various issues including PMS.

Our bodies are very sensitive, specifically our reproductive systems. If one thing is off it can throw the whole thing off. There are some physical and natural things you can do to help relieve your symptoms as well.

Sleep

We have all heard it, we need more sleep. It is so important to get enough sleep for our bodies to feel good day in and day out. If we are not getting enough sleep this can actually make PMS worse.

Regular Exercise

Physical activity or exercise can really help alleviate PMS. I know the last thing you want to do when you are feeling crummy is to exercise, but maybe go for a walk or a bike ride. The endorphins you experience when we move our bodies helps it "feel good" when really we feel awful.

Relax

Who has time to relax? You may be asking yourself this question, but it is so important to make time for your body to rest (see above about getting regular sleep). Take a bath, listen to calming music, put all your electronics away, and just breath. Your body is already experiencing tension and "stress" from preparing for your next menstrual period. Help it by placing yourself in a peaceful state of mind.

Natural Remedies

Being low in certain vitamins can also be contribution to the traits of PMS. Such as, low magnesium, low vitamin B, and even low iron. This is something that would be determined by seeing a doctor. But with the right supplements and some patience, improving your levels of these vitamins may really help you feel better.

You are not meant to suffer in the way of horrible cramps and severe migraines (insert other PMS symptoms here). There is a way to find relief. So maybe next time it is brought to your attend by someone else or even yourself that you are "PMSing" take a step back and ask yourself, "is this intruding on my life and those around me?" We want you to live a healthy life in all aspects, especially gynecologically. On our website, www.groesbeckfertility.com you can reach out to one of practitioners and we would be happy to help you get started in finding some relief.