There is no cure, yet 85% of women experience this chronic condition to some degree every single month, according to contraceptive app, Natural Cycles. But what is this incurable, volatile condition we hear you cry? Clue: mood swings, irritability, cramps, bloating, depression and anxiety.
Yup, we're talking about PMS.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), sometimes known as PMT (Premenstrual Tension), takes the crown for one of the most annoying things about female hormone regulation, as it affects the body both physically and emotionally. It's the condition that many of us dread every month - and have fretted about since we were at school trying to avoid P.E. class at all costs. Yet, here we are as adults still demonstrating signs of avoidance behaviour, embarrassment and depression to name a few.
PMS is a sliding scale of severity, which can unexpectedly pounce depending on how your menstrual cycle likes to behave.
Rather than let it take you by surprise, it's time to embrace the inevitable through planning and preparation, as packets of quick-fix relieving pharmaceuticals every single month is not going to benefit you in the long-run.
Heres to treat and cure PMS the natural way:
1. Be prepared for your PMS symptoms
PMS typically occurs one-week before your period, so having an awareness of when your period will strike can give you can indication of what to look-out for. The Natural Cycles app, amongst others on the market, can take out the element of surprise, so you know what's coming. Some apps also allow your parter to connect to your account, meaning they will get a heads-up too in order to support your needs during this tricky time of the month.
No one knows you better that you do, so take a moment to start focussing on managing its symptoms rather than ignoring them. Remember: if you can't beat it, at least try to manage it the natural way.
2. Try Agnus Castus (chaste tree)
A chasteberry (also known as vitex) is a small brown peppercorn-size fruit which has been used in herbalism for thousands of years, particularly in the treatment of female endocrine conditions. Its properties are hormone-balancing, which can help to reduce those dreaded PMS-fuelled mood swings when taken throughout the month.
Holland & Barratt, £8.25 for 60 tablets Buy
3. Try Clary Sage
Renowned for its relaxing properties, clary sage oil can be inhaled using a diffuser or burner, or drops can be applied directly onto the skin around the abdominal area. For added indulgence, clary sage is also found in LUSH's Shimmy Shimmy Shimmer Bar in case you feel like combining an elevated mood with a sassy glitzy exterior.
Neal's Yard Remedies, Clary Sage Organic Oil, £18 for 10ml Buy
LUSH, Shimmy Shimmy Shimmer Bar, £5.95 Buy
4. Take Calcium
Milk is the obvious choice for bumping-up your calcium intake, as are yogurts and cheese. You also get a hit of Vitamin D with these foods, as it's often added to dairy to help our bodies absorb the calcium. Double-win. Kale, broccoli, sardines and watercress also contain calcium, so you can start planning your PMS-banishing diet before its too late.
5. Moontime crystal healing
Historically our periods were synced to the full moon cycle and therefore referred to as 'moontime', but these days other more modern factors affect our periods. Having feminine-energy crystals such as moonstone, chrysocolla or rose quartz by the bed as you sleep, or about your person, can help to reconnect your natural cycle with nature, encouraging a balanced state of mind.
We like to keep ours in our bra. Not even joking.
6. Exercise
Hitting the gym is probably the last thing you want to do when you have menstrual cramp pain, but sweat-drenching aerobics is actually one of the best things for you. If the though of that much physical activity is too much, then walking and some light stretching can also help your body to release those all-important endorphins.
7. Mindfulness and meditation
Unfortunately, the effects of PMS can encroach onto others' lives too. Family members, a loved one or even colleagues may notice some changes in your outward mood, oblivious to what's actually going on, on the inside.
Mindfulness can keep us in a realm of awareness about how we're feeling, so we can then express ourselves in a more mindful way. This type of practice can help on so many life levels, so go forth and use your PMS as the perfect excuse to embark on a journey of self-care and internal hugs.
Headspace App Sign Up For Free
8. Reflexology
This ancient holistic practice involves a gentle pressure massage on parts of the hands or feet, to stimulate the body's own healing powers. Reflexology is often used in female-related conditions, well-known for its hormone balancing effect and is often used as an aid to pre-conception, as well as pregnancy and post-natal care.
In the case of PMS, having a treatment focussed on the pituitary glands and the hypothalamus specifically, can help manage the symptoms over time, the all-natural way.
9. Natural probiotics
Surprisingly, the digestive system has a role to play in the female cycle, as those suffering from oestrogen dominance can benefit by merely showing their gut some love.
Diet plays a key role here, as what we put into our bodies can contribute to the hormone imbalances and add more problems to your list of period-fuelled woes. It's therefore important to ensure that we support the digestive function to help eradicate any toxins by using probiotics. Probiotics don't necessarily come in pill-form, food and drinks like kimchi or kombucha can help keep everything smooth-running.
