Coping with PMS will help both you and your family prepare for changes in your moods during this difficult time.
Many different ways of coping with premenstrual syndrome, also known as PMS, are known to be effective and can save women and their families some unneeded stress.
When the symptoms of PMS occur can vary, but in general they begin about one week before menstruation begins which is also one week after ovulation. It does depend on how long a woman's cycle is so considering how many days are left until the period begins is the safest approach of charting PMS.
Typical symptoms of PMS include mood swings, bloating, water retention, irritability, depression, food cravings, headaches and fatigue. Not all women will experience every symptom so the variety is infinite.
Some ways of dealing with PMS include consideration of your diet. Sugar can be one thing to eliminate during this time along with caffeine. Both can be irritants during this hormonal fluctuation in your body.
Red raspberry leaf tea is good for PMS as well. It is a uterine toner and can alleviate any cramping that may develop.
Wild yam capsules work wonders for a variety of PMS symptoms. It can help ease moodiness, help bloating subside and temper your feelings in general. Taking one capsule daily for seven days prior to menstruation can be an effective approach.
Adding calcium to your diet, in a supplement form, can also be great. Each day a woman should receive 1000 milligrams in a vitamin supplement tablet.
Exercise is a great way to alleviate PMS as well. It not only boosts your self-esteem but eases food cravings sometimes.
Some women find it beneficial to have an orgasm the night before the period is expected to help minimize any cramping expected with the onset of menstruation.
Light treatment is a new approach to easing PMS, discovered by Dr. Duncan Anderson, a research doctor in London. What it involves is shining gently flickering light, through the use of a special face mask, into closed eyes for approximately fifteen minutes each day.
No single approach will necessarily work for every woman. Sometimes looking for a specific cause of PMS can be helpful. If swelling, bloating and fluid retention are problems then the use of a diuretic is helpful. These medications rid the body of excess water. But diuretics also reduce potassium in the body so foods like bananas and apricots need to be eaten when these medications are used.
Water retention can also be eased by reducing salt in the diet. This can be accomplished by using less table salt and eating foods with less sodium content. Watch nutritional charts on packaged food for how many grams of sodium are contained in a serving size.
Over-the-counter medications can be helpful as well for some women, one of which is Midol.
Let your family and friends know if PMS is an issue for you so they can understand any erratic behavior which may occur. You can also help your PMS symptoms by trying to reduce your stress level and get extra sleep to help your body cope with hormonal fluctuations.
