5 Natural Tips for PMS

PMS IS COMMON BUT IT'S NOT NORMAL.

Of course, feeling slight shifts in energy before and during menstruation are completely normal. This is because your body is meant to slow down during this time. But if you are experiencing severe PMS symptoms each month, it's NOT NORMAL.

These symptoms are caused by an imbalance taking place in your body. You no longer have to continue to just "deal" with them every month.

Here are a few of the most common PMS symptoms and the root imbalances that may be causing them:

• Painful cramps:

  • Commonly caused by inflammation or excess estrogen due to digestive issues, stress, and poor detox pathway functions.

• Bloating :

  • Commonly caused by digestive imbalances, low stomach acid, stress, high sodium intake, or imbalances in estrogen/ progesterone ratios

• Tender breasts :

  • Commonly caused by estrogen dominance / excess estrogen triggered by sluggish detox pathways, stress, digestive issues, or toxin-rich lifestyle

• Acne:

  • Commonly caused by high androgens, sluggish detox pathways, digestive issues, food sensitivities, and imbalances in estrogen/ progesterone ratios

• Mood Swings:

  • Commonly caused by blood sugar imbalances and insulin changes during this time of your cycle, hormone drops, nutrients deficiencies, or low progesterone due to stress

So, how can you start reducing those PMS imbalances?

There are SO MANY things you can do to support your body and prevent those symptoms.

Here are 5 recommendations to use as a starting place:

• Support Digestion

Try adding herbal teas, lots of water, extra greens, bone broth, and cruciferous veggies. At the same time try reducing and managing food sensitives, and processed foods! Digestion is the key to whole body health.

• Reduce inflammation

Add in herbs and spices such as ginger, turmeric, peppermint, and cinnamon to support inflammation. Inflammation in the body can be tied to food sensitives, consumption of inflammatory foods, or other internal stressors. Addressing the root of your inflammation will be important when working to reduce it. (Find additional support in my 1:1 Hormone Healing Package) 

• Love your liver

Your liver loves support! Deep breathing, lots of hydration, dandelion root, bitter greens, cruciferous veggies (especially carrots!), and milk thistle will all help your liver eliminate hormones as needed. It will also be important to take a look at your toxic load and reduce hormone disrupting chemicals found in personal care products, cleaning products, household products, and processed foods. (Click here if you are looking to reduce your family's toxic load)

• Reduce stress

PMS + stress do not go well together! Manage your stress during this time of your cycle with gentle practices such as Epsom salt baths, essential oils, allowing yourself rest, and gentle movement practices (YIN YOGA). (Click here to read about 5 ways to lower stress naturally). Clary Calm is also an incredible tool for lowering stress and supporting PMS symptoms - both physically and emotionally! You can check this blend out here.

• Include specific nutrients

Be sure to add in foods rich in magnesium, B vitamins, omega 3's, and slow releasing carbs. This includes foods such as dark chocolate, sweet potato, berries, fatty fish, almonds, raw cacao, dark leafy greens, and nut butters! You will also want to make sure to stay away from high amounts of sugar, processed foods, dairy, and caffeine as these will only continue to make PMS worse!

If PMS takes control of your life every month, it's a sign your body needs support.

It IS possible to have a symptom free cycle and learn to love your period.

For an individualized, root cause approach to healing your hormones, apply to work with me inside the VIP level of The Nourished Woman’s Protocol.

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XO,