When one considers what can help PMS, one must consider several factors. Among the most important things to think consider is that many symptoms associated with PMS are either created or exacerbated by the body’s hormonal fluctuations. Therefore, there are a number of things one can do to moderate, or alleviate entirely, PMS symptoms by keeping one’s hormone levels properly balanced.
- Stress Hormones
Controlling PMS is not always about regulating hormones that are released as part of the PMS itself. When a body is under stress from external sources, such as work stress, or financial worries, it may increase the level of hormones released in as effort to deal with the physical manifestations of the stress.These additional hormones can increase the amount of hormonal imbalance and exacerbate the symptoms of PMS greatly. One of the most common symptoms aggravated by stress hormone imbalances is fluid retention, which causes menstruation bloating, especially around the midsection and ankles.
Additionally, those same stress hormones can cause cravings for unhealthy snacks, with an emphasis on the types of salty snacks that exacerbate fluid retention, increase blood pressure, and cause weight gain beyond the fluid retention.
- Water Weight and Fluid Retention Issues
At best, the issues arising from PMS-related fluid retention and/or weight gain are embarrassing, uncomfortable, and of relatively short duration. At worst, however, they place added stress on organs (including the skin) and tend to affect specific areas of the body, such as the midsection. The additional water weight and internal stress can create (or make worse) PMS cramping both before and during menstruation. The simplest way to deal with these issues is to limit the stressors in one’s life. While this is, of course, easier said than done, there are some relatively easy steps one can take to accomplish this goal.
- Diet and Exercise
Diet and exercise are the two easiest areas for a person to begin to control PMS and Painful period symptoms. Eating adequate amounts of fruit and vegetables (the recommended amount is five to nine servings a day) and getting all of the vitamins and minerals that one needs, will help one be less likely to develop cramps, bloating and mood swings, and – if they do develop – will greatly reduce their severity. Calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins are all recognized as being especially effective in reducing these particular symptoms.
Exercise, it’s important to be act is an important key in supporting the body’s ability to deal with stress. While it might be fun to join a gym with a friend, gym memberships are not necessary to reap the benefits of exercise. Simple activities, such as a daily walk, taking one’s dog to the park to play, taking up a sport, or dancing incorporates movement into your day, and helps the body fight stress. Further, moderate exercise has been shown to help people sleep better at night, giving the body a chance to recover from stress and prepare itself for the following day’s activities.
- Additional Help
While diet, exercise, and stress reduction help most women alleviate their PMS symptoms, occasionally additional help may be needed. When that is the case, most people can find relief through the use of over-the-counter herbal supplements. Herbs like white willow bark, black cohosh, and red raspberry leaf have a much gentler effect on one’s body than traditional medications. These days, one can get supplements that contain several of the above herbs, along with vitamins and minerals that are specifically targeted at dealing with PMS symptoms. Often, women find that they are actually more effective in treating their PMS symptoms.