It's back. Bloating, headaches, irritability. It seems like just yesterday that your period ended. But now, it's just a week or two away. Take cover - here come the cramps.
Premenstrual syndrome is that pre-period occurrence that we all love to hate. Ranging from breast tenderness to depression, this disorder is associated with more than 150 symptoms and scientists are still stumped on identifying a single cause.
For some women, symptoms of PMS are mild or moderate. For others, they are so severe they're incapacitating. But even though there is no cure for PMS, you don't have to suffer. With these tips, premenstrual time will be dreaded no more.
* Eat healthy. Reduce your consumption of salt, sugar, caffeine and alcohol. All of these tend to make PMS symptoms more frequent and severe. Instead, increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water.
* Exercise. Women who experience PMS are encouraged to exercise at least 20 minutes, three days a week. Exercise has a profound effect on hormones, causing women to experience less anger and depression.
* Reduce stress. Reducing or managing stress is one way to make PMS less intense. For stress you can't avoid, manage your stress by doing yoga, recalling a happy memory or listening to soothing music.
* Try medication or supplements. If eating right, exercising and reducing stress don't help, medication might be effective. Prescription drugs like alprazolam and fluoxetine may be used to relieve PMS symptoms, but many people are turning to all-natural supplements like Pycnogenol instead to alleviate pain.
Made from French maritime pine bark, the antioxidant Pycnogenol significantly lowers abdominal and back pain during PMS due to its pronounced anti-inflammatory activity in the endometrial cells.
Studies show that most women who take Pycnogenol experience a clear improvement in reducing severe menstrual pain. In fact, according to a study published in the European Bulletin of Drug Research, abdominal pain was reduced in 80 percent of the patients and cramps disappeared in 77 percent of them. From this study, Pycnogenol was awarded a United States patent.
Even though many treatments have been tried for easing premenstrual symptoms, no treatment has been found to work for everyone. But from changes in your lifestyle to all-natural supplements, you'll be sure to find the best way to get rid of the PMS blues.
Author Bio:
Learn more about Pycnogenol at www.pycnogenol.com. - NU
You can also reach this article by using: Don't Let PMS Get You Down: Tips to Relieve Pain, Hygiene & Health, Women's Health
Index
