Whether you’re a woman, or a man who lives with one, chances are you have experienced “that time of the month.” Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is caused by hormonal imbalances. It is very widespread, affecting 1 in 3 menstruating women. The symptoms can be many and varied, and the list is long, from radical mood swings, to acne, fluid retention, weight gain, migraines, breast tenderness and more! Most women experience between four and ten symptoms starting one to two weeks before their periods. Most women menstruate for 35 years. This means that a woman could have PMS symptoms for half of their lives!
But wait, don’t panic! There are natural ways to balance hormones and relieve PMS symptoms.
Conventional medicine offers antidepressants, hormone therapy and tranquilizers which are geared towards symptom relief. While these measures may improve the symptoms, unfortunately they do little to address the underlying causes of hormonal imbalances.
Acupuncture and herbal formulas have been used to treat PMS for thousands of years. Research shows acupuncture and herbal therapy is effective in reducing PMS symptoms and regulating hormone levels. Researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Center found that several herbs such as black cohosh, vitex and Chinese herbal formulas containing dang quai can offer relief to women who suffer with PMS. One study demonstrated acupuncture’s ability to regulate the pituitary-hypothalamus axis which controls healthy hormone fluctuations. Another study lead scientists to conclude that acupuncture can influence serotonin and natural opioid upload activity and thus reduce many of the emotional and mental PMS symptoms. Both the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize that acupuncture can treat many PMS symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Digestive Issues
- Insomnia
- Depression & Anxiety
- Acne
In addition to acupuncture and herbal treatment, dietary and lifestyle changes may be recommended, as they can have an enormous impact on hormone regulation. PMS symptoms can indicate other hormonal irregularities such as thyroid, adrenal and blood sugar regulation issues. In some cases conventional and non-conventional hormonal tests may be indicated.
Stop spending half of your time dealing with PMS symptoms! Try a safe, natural, holistic approach to your health!