PreMenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome or PMS occurs 7 to 14 days before menstruation. Many of us might experience one or more of the following : bloating, nervousness and irritability, mood swings, depression, craving for sugar, tender breasts, period cramps, aches and pains and acne every month.

What happens?

The menstrual cycle begins when the hypothalamus releases hormones that cause the pituitary gland to release the hormones to cause the eggs to mature.
The pituitary gland also releases the hormones that cause the follicles to release the fully developed egg (ovulation).
After the eggs are released, the eggless follicles becomes the corpus luteum. This secretes hormones progesterone and estrogen that help a fertilized egg establish itself in the uterine lining (conception). (PMS happens during at this time of the cycle).
If the egg is not fertilized, corpus luteum will recede, hormone production decreases and menstruation occurs.

I just read about a woman with severe menstrual problems who is now cured from it. Here's her supernatural healing story.

On the home remedy pain relief side of things, here are some of the things you could use to help ease the pain.

It is believed that pms reflects corpus luteum insufficiency.

Excess estrogen

Excess estrogen lowers the level of endorphins in the body. Endorphins elevates a person's mood and relieves pain.
Excess estrogen affects the function of vitamin B6 in the body.
Excess estrogen increases the aldosterone levels, leading to sodium and water retention
Excess estrogen leads to a sluggish liver.
Excess estrogen can lead to an imbalance of monoamines that might result in depression
Excess estrogen increases the secretion of prolactin.

Low thyroid function

Many women with PMS and hypothyroidism who are treated for hypothyroidism experience complete relief of PMS symptoms. Mild hypothyroidism may be hard to detect. Symptoms may include moderate weight gain and cold intolerance, heavy menses, dry rough skin covered with fine superficial scales, stiff joints and weak muscles and more. Seek help from your doctor if you think you have this condition

Stress, irritability and depression

Extreme stress, or long lasting stress affects the function of the adrenal gland and the secretion or action of endorphins. Adrenal glands produce cortisol. Increased cortisol can lead to depression, mania, nervousness, insomnia, schizophrenia and depression. It is important to deal with Stress.

The herb St John's Wort is often prescribed by German physicians for depression. The author of the book recommends Premenstrual Syndrome : How You Can... recommends 300mg (0.3% hypericin content) 3 times daily.

Exercise increases the body's production of endorphins. When endorphin levels are high, one's mood improves. Exercise is one way to overcome the depression during PMS.

What to eat

More vegetables.
Less fat
Less sugar
Avoid pesticide residues. Go for organic foods where possible.
Eat more soya beans and foods based on soya beans. These help balance the estrogen effect in your body.
No caffeine should be taken (stop taking coffee, or caffeine laden soft drinks like coke etc.), especially if anxiety, depression or breast tenderness are symptoms of your pms
Eat less salt. Take more potassium rich foods instead. asparagas, corn, potato, bananas and most fruit and vegetable are high in potassium while low in sodium.
Take your supplements. Vitamin B6 (no more than 50mg at a time as overdose can be toxic), magnesium, calcium, zinc, vitamin E and essential fatty acids (like flaxseed oil) daily. Take the recommended doses.
Use these PMS supplements