PMS is not Normal! How you can fix your period

Pre menstrual symptoms or as you may know them as PMS are very common. However, It may come to a surprise to your that they are not NORMAL to have. Symptoms of PMS are due to hormonal imbalances of estrogen and progesterone and can present themselves in ways like:

• Cramps/pelvic pain
• Spotting
• Craving
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea or constipation
• depression
• anxiety

So how can we go about fixing these problems without the pill and have a pain free period every month?

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice and should not be taken as such. I am not a doctor and do not claim to be as these are solely based on my experiences. Please consult your family doctor before considering any recommendations listed in this post. Thanks!

lets start with the basics of your cycle

There are 4 main phases of your cycle (if you are a naturally cycling woman). If you are on the pill – you will not have these 4 phases.

1. menstrual phase
2. follicular phase
3. ovulatory phase
4. and the luteal phase

In the latter half of the luteal phase is when PMS symptoms tend to kick in. However, your whole cycle can influence how many and how intense your pre menstrual symtoms are.

What causes PMS

• STRESS (mental or physical (over exercise)
• Exposure to endocrine disruptors
• High toxic load
• Poor Diet
• Thyroid issues
• Food allergies
• blood sugar imbalance

Lets dive deeper into some of these causes to shed light on some issues that may be contributing to your own PMS issues.

Stress

PMS is a sign of high stress levels (cortisol) as when you are stressed at work or exercising too heavily, your body will prioritize the production of cortisol instead of progesterone (the calming hormone). Therefore, throwing your hormones out of balance. Too high of stress levels can even stop your period all together because your body does not like being in a constant “fight or flight” mode. The body sees stress as a threat and thinks conditions are not optimal to have a baby so your reproductive system will shut down.

Read more about a missing period: HERE

Endocrine disruptors

Endocrine disruptors can cause PMS and are found in everyday products such as plastic bottles, food cans, cosmetics, food, pesticides, and detergents. Now, I do not buy organic everything because my wallet would suffer greatly. However, you can do your best to buy organic products, natural makeup (or take it back on the foundation) and buy local fruits an veggies you know are pesticide free. No one is perfect and you do not have to be perfect with this! do your best and forget the rest and be mindful of the products you purchase.

High Toxic load

The use of chemicals these days is alarming. Not only does a high toxic load cause PMS but it can cause digestive issues, skin irritation, fatigue, and even body odor! Xenoestrogens have become prevalent in this day in age and act like estrogens in the body. This causes issues such as PMS due to estrogen dominance.

Did you know: toxins can be in the tampon you use! I use these TOXIN free tampons from tampon tribe to reduce the toxic load going into my body. Check them out!

Poor Diet

By diet, I mean the way you eat not how much you eat or keto or low carb or any kind of fad diet. Dieting can actually cause added stress on the body due to calorie restriction. In addition to eating adequately and regularly, i recommend following the “cycle syncing method” as it is a way to support your fluctuating hormones all throughout your cycle. However, a balanced amount of proteins, carbs, and fats are really all you need to see some positive changes. be mindful of the quality of food you put in your body, prioritize whole foods, and watch your pre menstrual symptoms disappear!

Thyroid Issues

It is best to see your doctor in regards to determining if there is disruption in your thyroid hormones. A blood test will give you a lot more insight on thyroid function. However, one can determine if they have hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormones) by tracking their cycle. When you track your cycle or chart you track your basal body temperatures in the morning. When temps are consistently low, this means you may have hypothyroidism and it can also mean you have low progesterone. both resulting in heightened PMS symptoms.

Food allergies

Food allergies and intolerances can flare up IBS and indigestion. Usually, a woman will have an intolerance to a common food allergen or one that is consumed on a daily basis. These common allergens cause inflammation in the gut which leads to elevated PMS symptoms. Some of the food allergens that may be causing PMS include: Wheat, dairy, sugar, corn, soy, eggs, gluten, alcohol, and sweeteners. Try to avoid the common allergens that are dominant in your own diet as those are most likely the ones causing issues.

Blood sugar Levels

When one eats high amounts of sugar, then the body must also produce high amounts of insulin to convert glucose into energy. If insulin needs to released in high mounts, estrogen and testosterone can rise causing increased Pre menstrual symptoms. In addition, unstable blood sugar levels can cause the release of cortisol (stress) and progesterone (needed for ovulation). If too much progesterone is being used, there may not be enough to support ovulation and fertility.

some ways to balance bloods sugar levels is to eat balanced meals, limit coffee (especially on an empty stomach), and reduce the amount of added sugars in your diet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pre menstrual symptoms are very common but not many women know it is not normal! I struggled with low progesterone, a missing period, and PMS symptoms for most of my life. My hormones where out of whack all the time and I had no idea why until I did some digging myself. With the help of cleaning up my diet, limiting stressors, and balancing blood sugar levels while keeping inflammation down was the key to my success, and it can be the key to yours too.

I hope you found this helpful xx

Hailee

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