Natural PMS Relief; An Overview of Evening Primrose, Diet and Exercise Plans
For most women, premenstrual syndrome, also known as PMS, begins to impact life and daily activities around age 30. While stress plays a significant role in the impact of PMS symptoms, many women are seeking natural and alternative methods for relieving the painful and frustrating monthly symptoms while working to remain healthy in the approach to natural female cycles.
When discussing PMS symptoms and natural remedies with a physician, a common response many patients will hear are far too common in regular dietary guidelines; decrease caffeine intake, increase water intake, increase calcium to 1200mg per day, take a multivitamin and make every effort to reduce stress factors. While these are all great recommendations, the fact is, women are busy. In a daily struggle to manage families, jobs and budgets the monitoring of water, calcium and caffeine intake are not the focus of the day. However, the implication of these remedies, over a period of several months, will prove significant results in the decrease of PMS symptoms.
In addition to water, calcium and caffeine, most physicians, offering natural remedies, will recommend regular exercise and the addition of Evening Primrose to your morning and evening routine. Evening Primrose, considered a medicinal herb, works to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome including depression, headaches and bloating. Available in a 500 mg tablet form, Evening Primrose should be taken, both morning and evening over a five month period. Because Evening Primrose works to normalize bodily fluids it should not be taken by those suffering from epilepsy, high blood pressure, those taking estrogen replacement medications and those on cholesterol reducing medications. For the naturalists, Evening Primrose is a vibrant yellow flower, which generally blooms late in the Spring, providing not only health benefits but also makes an impact to any landscape. Generally found growing, wildly, in rough cuts of gravel dirt roads, the Evening Primrose is undoubtedly noticeable due to the lack of landscape competition.
In addition to Evening Primrose, premenstrual syndrome(PMS) symptoms can be relieved by the application of moist heat. Many women find long hot baths, showers and the use of heating pads, while lying in bed, prove effective in providing temporary relief of symptoms. However, the safety hazard associated with long periods of heat use should be heeded. Avoid use of the heating pad, in bed, for more than 10 minutes and excessive baths, during the menstrual cycle, could lead to further female hygienic complications.
As most women will find, the practice of a healthy lifestyle, with a few dietary and exercise modifications, will significantly improve the PMS symptoms. Additionally, adhering to these improved recommendations will develop a more healthy overall lifestyle leading into the menopausal period.
