Welcome to my email newsletter. I am pleased to be able to share some of my knowledge about health with you and I hope you will enjoy and benefit from some of the things I will be talking about.

Today’s topic is...

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)

Pre-menstrual syndrome encompasses symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, skin eruptions, constipation or diarrhoea, backache, fatigue, irritability, tearful mood, and depression. Some women notice just a mild fatigue for a couple of days before the start of the period and others turn into venomous monsters.

It is our hormones which make us feel and behave this way, and the more these hormones are out of balance the worse we feel. But there is much we can do to improve PMS and period problems.

1. Eat more oily fish

3-5 portions of oily fish a week will supply you with omega 3 fats which are essential for your hormonal balance. If you have PMS you can assume you are not getting enough of these oils in your diet. The good news is that most of us enjoy eating fish such as salmon, trout, sardines, and mackerel, and so it should not be too difficult to eat them often.

2. Eat less sugar

Processed sugar (as opposed to sugar found within natural foods) robs us of nutrients such as all the B vitamins, magnesium and zinc. This is because the digestion and utilisation of sugar uses up these nutrients. If you eat sugar more than once daily, you can replace B vitamins, magnesium and zinc by taking a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement. This is important, because zinc, magnesium and the B vitamins are all key nutrients for a healthy hormonal balance.

3. Make sure you are regular

At least one bowel movement a day is necessary to stop waste from being re-absorbed into the blood. In the case of PMS this is very important, because broken down hormones are supposed to leave our body with the daily stool. If they remain in the bowel for a couple of days, they are recycled and add to the newly manufactured ones thereby upsetting the balance.

The best way to get rid of constipation is to drink plenty of water and eat at least 6 portions of fruit and veg a day. If you want to treat severe PMS, you must take a good quality probiotic supplement. Probiotics contain beneficial gut bacteria which (amongst other benefits) produce regular bowel movements and stop the recycling of waste.

4. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise does wonders for stabilising our mood, because feel-good hormones are released in large quantities during each session. Exercise also promotes good circulation and therefore encourages regular supply of nutrients and taking away of waste form all body parts including our liver and female system.

5. Take Agnus Castus

This herb is well-know for its ability to balance hormones in women and men.

As PMS is primarily due to hormonal imbalances, this herb is indicated in anyone who experiences PMS in any way. It is termed an “adaptogen”, meaning that it will reduce or increase hormones as and when needed.

6. Take Sepia

This homeopathic remedy is very commonly used for hormonal imbalances. Typically it is given to women who feel run-down and sluggish. The only thing which makes them feel better is exercise in the open air. They can be irritable or indifferent to loved ones, and whishing they could escape their daily chores. They feel chilly and may look yellow, earthy and pale. They may be constipated, and may have bearing-down pain during their period.

Perhaps you might want to tackle your PMS before Christmas, or better even in the New Year!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

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