PMS Relief – What Are Your Options?

If you suffer from PMS symptoms, you aren't the only one. About 85% of women deal with PMS at some point, though not always before every monthly cycle. So, PMS can be a bit unpredictable. Luckily, finding PMS relief is fairly easy, once you understand the symptoms.

Irritability:

To many people, PMS is synonymous with irritability and mood swings. Well, it is true that PMS can cause you to have awful mood swings, but that isn't the only issue. In fact, your irritability could be caused by the fact that they are bloated, have headaches, have cramps or a combination of other things. What Are The Other Things?

What are the other things? Well, there are over two dozen symptoms of PMS. Here are some examples:

• Swollen Ankles And Feet
• Constipation And Diarrhea
• Nausea And Vomiting
• Body Aches
• Strange Food Cravings
• Tiredness, Muscle Fatigue And Lethargy
• Weight Gain And Swelling
• Breast Pain And Tenderness
• Confusion Or Forgetfulness

Turning To Prescription And OTC Medications:

When most of us experience PMS, our instincts are to turn to prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, at least at first. However, there are several problems with ibuprofen and similar medications. Some of those problems are:

• They can have harsh side effects.
• They can cause allergic reactions.
• Some of them can cause dependency.
• Some of them can become less efficient as your body gets used to them.
• They can be quite expensive.

Of all of the problems with prescription medications for PMS relief, the biggest by far is that prescription medications only treat some of the symptoms of PMS.

Also, since combining prescription or over-the-counter medications sometimes can't be combined with other medications, you may have to pick and choose which symptom of PMS you opt to treat.

So, should you treat your bloating? What about your constipation? How about your headaches? Is it better to treat your nausea or your back aches? Don't forget about your swollen ankles or your mood swings! How can you possibly manage all of those symptoms with one commercial medication? Well, you can't!

Herbal Remedies For PMS:

Luckily, standard medications are not your only options for PMS relief. You could also try herbal remedies to reduce PMS pains. Mother Nature has been supplying women with ways to relieve PMS for hundreds of years. All you have to do is know where to look.

Black Cohosh:

The Native Americans have been using black cohosh to treat PMS, painful menstruation and menopausal symptoms for hundreds of years. In fact, they also used it to treat colds, constipation, hives, aches and pains, sore throats and even rheumatism. The phytoestrogens contained in black cohosh are capable of relieving several pre-menstrual symptoms, including depression. Also, black cohosh is known for its mild anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it can treat many of the aches and pains associated with PMS.

 

Willow Bark:

Willow bark tea has been used by Native Americans as an anti-inflammatory, fever reducer and pain reducer for about as long as black cohosh. These days, willow bark doesn't necessarily need to be brewed into a tea. You can take it in supplement form and get the same effects.

Don't Just Focus On Herbs:

As with man-made medications, one or two herbs can't treat dozens of PMS symptoms. You have to be able to combine methods. For example, it's best if you can combine vitamins and minerals with herbal treatments. Some of the best minerals and vitamins to take for relieving PMS are:

• B-1, B-2 And B-6
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
• Vitamins A, E And K
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Niacin
• Iron
• Pantothenic Acid

The more of those elements you can combine together in the right ways, the better balanced your body will be. However, you can't just take any amount of any of those substances. You need to find the right blend, which takes some expert knowledge in herbal medicine.

Luckily, several people who do have that expert knowledge have created supplemental pills that combine all of the best vitamins, minerals and herbs in just the right amounts to relieve PMS relief. For example, the makers of Period Vitamin have gone to great lengths to create just the right supplement to relieve even the worst PMS problems.

Additional Treatment Options:

While you should take a great PMS supplement, such as Period Vitamin, you don't need to settle for just that. You can also help yourself by making certain changes to your routine. For example, you should try getting some daily exercises. Exercising each day can keep you in great shape, which should reduce PMS and period-related symptoms.

Stress Reduction:

Another thing to remember is that a lot of hormonal changes go on within your body during your menstrual cycle. Your body is designed to handle those changes, but any added stress that you place on yourself physically or mentally can make matters worse.

There are a lot of ways to relieve stress and either reduce your chances of PMS symptoms or get over those symptoms more quickly. One of the best things you can do is to get plenty of sleep. Another is to stay properly hydrated.

Beyond that, you can try doing certain relaxation techniques, taking hot baths or even drinking herbal tea to relieve stress before your period. In fact, chamomile tea is particularly relaxing and has a lot of excellent healing properties.

Aromatherapy:

Another option that you may want to consider is aromatherapy for PMS relief. Lavender and rose are essential oils that are known for soothing the mind and spirit. In fact, lavender oil can even help you to get more restful sleep at night. Herbal remedies are great for PMS relief on their own, but they are even better when combined with other natural techniques. With a little effort you can find ways to relieve

bloating, cramping, headaches, nausea, insomnia and all of the other problems that go along with PMS.

Just remember that herbal remedies and other natural techniques always work best when you start them before symptoms appear.