Many South African women have PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) on a regular basis. PMS has the potential to put one’s life on hold for a short period of time. It’s not uncommon for people to suffer from mood and anxiety changes along with altered appetite and irritability.
These issues can lead to low productivity at work, antisocial behavior, or depression. Anxiety and irritability are common PMS symptoms that begin 5-11 days before menstruation and subside 2-3 days before the actual period. It’s not normal to be emotionally and behaviorally disturbed for 7 to 14 days a month.
Despite having PMS, women should be able to carry on with their daily routines unhindered. PMS can be managed in a variety of ways, but the symptoms you experience are critical in deciding the best treatment option for you.
Before we look into the ways of treating PMS, let’s look at what PMS is and the symptoms that are borne by women in South Africa.
What is PMS?
PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is a condition that affects women’s emotions, behaviour, and physical health between 5 – 11 days before their menses. A study by the United States Department of Health and Human Services suggests that 90 percent of menstruating women have symptoms of PMS.
Researchers believe that PMS is brought on by a drop in sex hormone and serotonin levels at the start of the menstrual cycle. PMS can be treated. As a result of the rising levels of estrogen and progesterone during the PMS period, the main symptoms of PMS include nervousness, irritability, and mood changes.
Solutions to PMS
PMS comes with lifestyle changes that have an effect on your day-to-day life. Symptoms such as headaches, diarrhea, fatigue, sadness, emotional outbursts, depression, food cravings, and change in sleep patterns are the main causes of changing the lifestyle of a woman going through PMS.
Finding a solution to PMS can be a daunting task. There are many solutions out there with little or no impact in calming the PMS symptoms down. Kiko Vitals hormone balancing capsule is the best we can recommend.
DIY solutions
PMS Cannot be cured but you can do something to ease the pain or control emotions through self-treatment. Treatment options will depend on the dominant symptoms that you are experiencing. Treatment options include:
- Drinking plenty of fluids to ease abdominal bloating,
- Exercising 30 minutes a day to decrease bloating and improve your mental health,
- Eating healthy foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to improve health and energy levels. Reduce intake of sugar, salt, caffeine, and alcohol during the period,
- Avoid smoking,
- Sleep for 8 hours per night to reduce fatigue,
- Work and read to avoid stress,
- Take vitamin D to reduce symptoms.
Hormone Balance Supplements
Do-it-yourself treatment may not be for everyone. Hormonal conditions are hard to manage and may need hormone balancing supplements. Hormonal balance supplements help with the leveling of hormones that are lacking or in abundance. The supplements assist the endocrine glands to accurately signal body chemicals to move in an orderly fashion so that your body can control processes such as metabolism and reproduction.
Hormone balancing medication contains:
- Inositol, which plays a structural role in the human body. Inositol affects chemical messengers to the human brain such as serotonin and dopamine.
- Magnesium and Vitamin B – 6 to reduce cramps and mood swings.
- Dandelion Root – soothes digestive ailment and improves appetite during PMS.
- Ashwagandha – helps reduce cortisol (stress hormone) level.
- Maca – boosts energy and improves exercise performance. Maca also helps with mood swings.
- Dong Quai – has effects on estrogen and has the ability to affect other hormones in the body.
Seeing a doctor
Seeing a doctor is the last resort and should only be done if you are unable to manage your PMS symptoms yourself. If your health and daily activities are being affected by PMS in a way that you are unable to fathom, then seeing a doctor is an option for you. You’ll be quizzed by the doctor on your health, symptoms, and medications you’re taking. Blood testing can confirm if the issue is PMS or anything else. Blood tests can confirm this.
A doctor may suggest one of the following treatment plans:
- Talk therapy which helps feel better and learn new skills on how to overcome challenges by talking to a mental health counsellor.
- Prescribe medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, or antidepressants.
- Over the counter medicine
Conclusion
Premenstrual Syndrome can be scary but with the right solution, you won’t have to shiver when your menstrual cycle is about to start. Having hormonal balance supplements can give you a sense of security.
