Kick your PMS symptoms!

Now that I've gone this long without getting pregnant, I am realizing a definite pattern. Every month, during that special PMS time, AFTER I ovulate and BEFORE my period...I have an extra special hard time being the patient mother I want to be. Well, I am now tired of it. I finally looked up in one of my little herbal reference books what in the heck I can do to feel like my normal self more than 75% of every month.

Before I get into anything else I'll just list a few common PMS symptoms: decreased ability to deal with stress, depression, head aches, mood swings, cramps, bloating, food cravings.....

Here are some of the reasons these things happen to us....they actually make sense!

#1 The one we all figure--hormonal embalance, an increase of estrogen

#2 Bloating, i.e. water retention, which decreases circulation to the brain, ovaries and uterus

#3 Secretion of extra salt, hence any sodium cravings which actually balance the sodium levels in your blood. Moral: don't feel bad about eating a little extra chips and salsa before your period :)

#4 Most women experience a desire to eat up to 20% more calories during PMS. This is because it is during this time after ovulation when a pregnancy could begin. It is your bodies way of making sure there are plenty of nutrients there for your body to start making baby. This book discourages trying to diet during this time of month because low blood sugar agitates stress levels even more.

#5 "Secretion of the hormone progesterone...increases the ability of stress hormones to bind with nerve cells in the brain, producing a stronger response to stress."

#6 PMS is ALSO related to a monthly depletion of serotonin, which both maintains mood and regulates bodily rhythms.

#7 "PMS seems to result from an imbalance of calcium and magnesium in which magnesium is deficient."

How to make it better! I'm gonna make a few changes and see if these things help me. I'll let ya know how quick I feel a difference!...expect at least a month or two as it is currently already PMS time :)

• take 1,000 to 1,500 mg daily of any calcium-magnesium supplement
• "Eat few dairy products and avoid refined sugars. Dairy products block the absorption of magnesium and increase its urinary excretion. Refined sugars also increase magnesium excretion."
• EXERCISE (the solution to everything right!)-it increases the oxygen in the blood and helps with nutrient absorption. It also helps keep hormone levels more stable.
• Avoid caffeine and chocolate--they stimulate the production of stress hormones
• Peppermint tea- helps stabilize mood swings and tone the nervous system

My plan:

Eat less dairy--cheese is the main offender so I'm going to start out just making sure I have at least half of every week with no cheese.

Buy some dates or other dried fruit to fulfill sugar cravings and find some yummy cookies that use HONEY instead of refined sugar. :) (Because I need to take baby steps.)

Buy and take a calcium/magnesium supplement.

Drink peppermint tea something like daily through PMS time and a few other times during the month. (I'll probably mix some raspberry tea with it because its so fabulous for female organs, and we always have some on hand.)

I already avoid caffiene--but not so much chocolate....I'll just do the best I can with that. :)

Be especially consistent with exercise during PMS time! No sad thing for me there--that means mommy time!

I think these things will also help with my RLS (restless leg syndrome) too. It flares up maybe 4-7 days a month and can be really obnoxious.

If any of you want to know specific herbs for other PMS symptoms let me know...I mostly focused on things that help with the stress and mood aspects.