Symptoms of PMS usually manifest 7-10 days before the onset of menses and include mood issues such as low mood, irritability and anxiety,  difficulty sleeping,  swollen breasts,  water retention and bloating,  acne,  food cravings and other symptoms.  75-80% percent of women experience PMS symptoms. Although it is natural to feel changes in your body as menses approaches, if the symptoms are debilitating to the point where you cannot function, something may need to be done to alleviate your symptoms.

The body systems that typically need balancing when it comes to PMS are the liver, endocrine system (thyroid, adrenals and ovaries) and nervous systems.

There are several possible contributing factors to explain PMS symptoms and the cause may vary from woman to woman. However, most often symptoms arise because of an imbalance between the two main female hormones – estrogen and progesterone. In the 2^nd half of the cycle, progesterone should be higher than estrogen. But when PMS symptoms are rearing their ugly head, the ratio is often flipped and estrogen is higher than progesterone. Using herbs and natural remedies that help balance the progesterone:estrogen ratio is helpful for many women.

Basic approach for relieving PMS symptoms and supporting hormone balance:

Diet:

1. Fiber: increase fiber to 35-40grams per day. Fiber will help your body clear excess estrogen. I recommend 2 tbsp of ground flax seed per day (buy whole and grind yourself). Also consume other high fiber foods such as whole grains, beans, nuts & seeds.
2. Consume complex carbohydrates (vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts/seeds) and avoid refined/processed carbs (bread, pasta, pastries, cereals etc). Consume 5-7 servings of vegetables and 2-3 servings of fruit per day.
3. Avoid sugar, refined /processed (white) grains, white potatoes, breads and pastas.
4. Limit dairy
5. Limit fat intake – reduce to 25% of total calories per day. Avoid saturated fat from meat, poultry and dairy. Choose fat from vegetable sources such as olive oil, avocado, coconut oil, nuts & seeds.
6. Buy organic meat and dairy to avoid sources of exogenous hormones that are fed to the animals.

Support balance of the female hormones:

1. 1 tbsp of ground flaxseeds per day. Mix 1 tbsp in 8 oz of water, add lemon and drink first thing in the morning. Or sprinkle on salads, add to oatmeal, yogurt or smoothies. This is a great source of fiber and helps you metabolize excess estrogens.
2. Magnesium glycinate – 200-400mg per day. Magnesium helps boost progesterone,  regulates our stress response and increases the calming, anti-anxiety neurotransmitter GABA.
3. Vitamin B6 – 50-100mg/day. Vitamin B6 helps balance estrogen levels. This nutrient is particularly useful if you experience premenstrual acne, bloating and water retention. B6 also helps with progesterone and GABA production.
4. Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex agnus-castus) –  Helps increase your body’s production of progesterone and balances the estrogen: progesterone ratio. Low levels of progesterone have been associated with many PMS symptoms including anxiety and sleep disturbance.

Identify individual hormone imbalances

• The key is to identify specific hormone imbalances so that tailored and individualized wellness recommendations can be made. I run a salivary hormone panel that measures levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. I also often investigate underlying thyroid and adrenal dysfunction. Thyroid and adrenal issues can have a negative impact on your menstrual cycle hormones. The hormone system, which includes the ovaries, thyroid and adrenals,  function like an interconnected spider web and often the whole system needs to be addressed.

Support your liver:

Herbs that help liver function will also help balance hormones by supporting their metabolism and clearance. This is especially helpful if you are estrogen dominant. Herbs include Dandelion root, Burdock root, Milk thistle, Artichoke and Curcumin.

Castor oil applied nightly to the belly and liver area (upper right side) is also very helpful.

Address the stress in your life

There is an intricate and close relationship between your sex hormones (i.e. estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and the chemicals of your nervous system. This is why many women experience worse PMS symptoms when under stress.  Addressing the stress in your life with lifestyle activities such as exercise, breathing or yoga is another key step for getting your hormones in balance.

 

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioners with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.