Do you want to be out of PMSing ?

Let’s talk about PMS

For those who don’t know what PMS is let me elaborate it down for you.

PMS- Period Mood Swings or Pre Menstrual Symptoms.

Typically most of you might experienced 7 days prior to your next menstrual cycle, all the until you begin with your cycle. They can be so severe that they affect someone’s day to day life,work life or relationships.

PMS is a very common condition with appox. 90% of women experience some sort of symptoms related to it.

Many people consider this term to be a very fancy way to refer to the physical, mental and social/ spiritual health disturbances that happens to ones body before the menstrual cycle comes down.

Symptoms usually last for about a week .The most common symptoms are low energy and fatigue.Other symptoms includes bloating , cramps craving for sweet or salty foods, sorebreasts, swollen feet or hands, headaches , acne and gastrointestinal problems like constipation, loose motions etc.

Emotional symptoms includes depression, irritability, anxiety or mood swings.Certain people may be more prone to experiencing PMS depending on certain risk factors like family history of PMS , depression, history of physical or emotional trauma.

Keep in mind that only 2.5% of women suffers from severe PMS.

PMS is a vata imbalance with a pitta disturbances that occurs in some women.

The digestion needs to be addressed as pitta often becomes disturbed due to chronic agitation of vata.

Imbalanced vata affects kidney/adrenal functions and pancreas via the endocrine systems.Increased vata moves into the small intestine, disrupting the functions of digestive fire.

This imbalance is more indicative of an overall imbalance of endocrine system which is controlled by prana vayu.

The primary problem is the Apana vata disrupts the ovarian function and moves upwards through the nervous system.

The average menstrual cycle takes approximately 28 days to run it’s course. During this time, a series of hormonal activities occurs in order to prepare body. For some women, around 14th day of the cycle a group of troubling symptoms starts to develop and can last up to a week after the onset of menstruation.

Estrogen and progesterone plays a significant role in multiple aspect of neurological function especially in parts of the brain responsible for PMS symptoms.

Decrease serotonin levels may also cause many symptoms.

How to comfort yourself from this ?

With my clinical experience, balancing the vata ( prana vata, samana vata and Apana vata) is the key to treat PMS. Vata should be stabilized followed by pitta and Kapha.

Foods having sweet ,salty and sour tastes helps to decrease the vata level.

Herbs such as Turmeric , Fennel, Ginger, Cumin, licorice, Fenugreek etc helps to comfort you from PMS symptoms.

The key to balancing one’s hormone lies in a good balance of healthy foods.

Having cruciferous vegetables and healthy fat foods. As fat provides the building blocks for hormones while cruciferous vegetables helps keep the estrogen under control.

For improving serotonin levels , it is crucial to get a good amount of vitamin B and amino acids ( Tryptophan) in your diet.

Mood swings , cramps and sleeplessness may be reduced with magnesium rich foods.

Lifestyle modification – intake of healthy and balanced food, yoga and meditation would keep your PMSing out.