Naturopathic Source

PMS (Pre-menstrual syndrome) is a sign that your hormones (estrogen and progesterone) are out of balance. There are many reasons for this including diet (certain foods that promote hormonal imbalance), stress, long-term fatigue and glandular weakness, to name just a few. PMS symptoms include: mood swings, increased emotional sensitivity or volatility, abdominal gas and/or bloating, constipation or diarrhea, breast swelling and/or tenderness, increased food cravings, sleep disturbances, skin breakouts. These symptoms can begin anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks (and occasionally more) before the onset of menses.

Dietary changes and naturopathic remedies/supplements are very effective at balancing the hormones and decreasing, and often eliminating, PMS symptoms.

It is important to note, that the emotions that come out during PMS are not alien emotions that descend on you from outer space; these are emotions that are inside of you all the time, but come out during this time of increased sensitivity. One of my patients put it best when commenting on the emotions that come out for her during PMS: "It's not less valid, it just means I'm less willing to hold it back." Exactly.

Sometimes this means you will be more aware of sensitivities and insecurities that you may have thought you'd completely dealt with, but have shown themselves to still be there. And other times, this will mean that you are holding back the way you really feel about something in your life; feelings that need to come out and be dealt with.

Incidentally, the same goes for emotional outbursts during menopause. Christiane Northrup talk about this in her book, The Wisdom of Menopause. I highly recommend that every menopausal and peri-menopausal woman read this book. I suspect that for many, it will be a real eye-opener; or at the very least a confirmation of what you have always suspected.

TC