Almost every woman knows it, premenstrual syndrome, which occurs in the second half of the cycle. Because the symptoms are as varied as the causes - and you are probably well versed in the subject - we will only give you a brief overview before we give you the best tips against PMS.
The most important facts about PMS
Did you know that around 75-80% of all women struggle with PMS? So you are not alone when your body and your psyche suffer from the hormone roller coaster ride. Of course, the symptoms are different for everyone. One may be irritable or depressed two weeks before the period, while another may experience symptoms such as water retention, headache or tension in the chest only three or four days before the start of the menstrual period. For most women, PMS develops especially from the age of 30, but the problems have disappeared at the latest at menopause.
As far as the causes are concerned, science is not yet completely in agreement. On the one hand, the interplay of female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone has an impact, because it affects our neurotransmitters in the brain, among other things. On the other hand, other factors can be included or not excluded. For example, some researchers see PMS as a psychiatric illness (similar to depression), partly because very similar stressors predominate. These include previous psychological stress in the family, private and relationship problems, overload or an unfavorable melatonin level. But your lifestyle can also affect the strength of your PMS. Addictive substances such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and sugar, but also insufficient exercise and unhealthy nutrition play a major role. But now we come to the actual topic - what can you do about your PMS complaints?
Tips against PMS that really help
If you suffer from PMS, then you have probably tried a few things to alleviate the monthly symptoms. The good thing is that the majority of the helpful methods can be easily integrated into everyday life. That is why we have not categorized our tips according to the symptoms to be combated, but show you really practical tips for your days before the days.
Exercise and warmth for body and mind
You are probably now thinking, "Should I still move if I feel bad?" And it is exactly the same. Of course, you shouldn't go to the gym if you have a stomach ache or a bad mood. But anything that relaxes your muscles and soothes your head is helpful. For example, you can start with a leisurely walk, ride a bike, or do some yoga exercises. You will see that you will feel much better afterwards. In the long run, moderate cardio training also helps to reduce your symptoms somewhat. And it may sound a little crazy, but sex is also part of it. The contractions during an orgasm in particular have a relaxing effect on your abdomen.
Of course, warmth is pain-relieving and relaxing in every form. Depending on how you feel and what you feel like, you can treat yourself to a nice bubble bath, drink a hot tea or put the good old hot water bottle on your tense lower abdomen. If that is too much pressure for you, you can use a heating pad as an alternative. You are allowed to do what is good for you.
Medicinal plants against PMS complaints
Before you ask your gynecologist directly about a prescription medication, you can also use tried and tested medicinal plants. Especially if you are prone to irritability, aggression and depression during your PMS period, St. John's wort, lemon balm and lady's mantle are recommended as they have a relaxing effect on your mind. The latter contains so-called phytohormones, which are similar to progesterone, and in this way compensates for your mood swings. With strong water retention and abdominal pain, a tea made from red clover, focus and nettle can also work wonders. But especially goose cinquefoil should not be missing in your tea stock. It has an antispasmodic, muscle-relaxing and analgesic effect and has been used for centuries for abdominal pain, leg cramps and menstrual cramps.
One of the most well-known remedies for PMS is chaste tree - and not without reason: You can almost call it an all-rounder because it has a positive effect on many different premenstrual problems. Chasteberry is often used for an irregular cycle or a heavy menstrual period, but it also relieves a variety of PMS symptoms. This is because the herb gently interferes with your hormone balance, thereby alleviating the symptoms. For example, if you suffer from aching chest or abdominal cramps, chaste tree can help you very well. Because it regulates the hormone prolactin in your body, which is responsible for your pain.
Due to its balancing effect on the hormone chaos during the second half of the cycle, you can also take chaste tree if you suffer from irritability, water retention or cycle-related migraines. It is even used as an herbal antidepressant for hormonal depression. The advantage of chaste tree is the versatile income option. For example, if you don't want to drink tea, the herbal remedy is available in tablet, capsule and drop form - or you can use it like normal pepper to flavor your meals.
In our range we have, for example, chaste tree tablets that contain 10 mg of chaste tree extract per tablet, the most frequently recommended daily dose. Our tablets are vegan and are made from 100% monk's pepper - without unnecessary additives or extenders. Another advantage: the tablets are particularly small and can be swallowed very well. You can find the small box (which fits in every handbag) with 300 tablets here in our shop:
https://sanhelios.de/products/sanhelios-monchspfeffer-10-mg-300-vegane-mikro-tabletten
Medication
If, unexpectedly, our tips against your PMS symptoms don't help, you can of course still go to the gynecologist you trust and ask for a prescription drug. Depending on the form of your symptoms - whether headache, abdominal pain or back pain, mood swings, water retention, etc. - he will prescribe a prescription for a hormone preparation, diuretic (draining medicine) or an antidepressant. If you suffer mainly from headaches and abdominal cramps, you can first use a simple pain reliever such as Fall back on aspirin. The contained acetylsalicylic acid not only has a pain-relieving effect, it also increases blood circulation and can thus relax tense muscles.
We hope that our tips will help you and you can look forward to your days before the days more relaxed in the future. Tell us about your experiences.
Greetings
Your Sanhelios team
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