If PMS Isn't Normal, Then What Is?

 

If you suffer from PMS, I’m willing to bet that someone has told you that it's completely normal for women. Perhaps they reassure you with their own female cycle sufferings. Or maybe they tell you it’s simply the cost of being a woman. Or maybe your OBGYN hasn’t shared with you that it’s not normal to have constant PMS.

Let me clear up something important: the words “common” and “normal” are often interchanged when talking about PMS. But rest assured the two mean very different things. 

PMS is a common occurrence for three out of four women at some point in their lifetime. But this doesn’t mean PMS is normal. PMS is a sign of imbalanced hormones. Now, do you think that’s normal?

Our own study of 1500 women showed 89% suffered from PMS regularly. Even the CDC says 92% of all women globally suffer from chronic PMS. 

Let’s pull back the curtain on what PMS is and isn’t and what you can do to lessen your PMS symptoms.

What is PMS?

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is usually referred to as a set of behaviors or symptoms that occur during the ovulation cycle up until your period begins. These symptoms may include but aren’t limited to:

• Mood swings and irritability

• Cramps

• Bloating

• Fatigue

• Breast tenderness

• Headaches

• Food cravings

• Bowel changes

• Acne

• Depression or anxiety

These symptoms usually manifest themselves as a result of your hormonal activity. Throughout your cycle, your estrogen and progesterone are in fluctuation. There’s a natural rhythm to this. But when these hormones are imbalanced, it can present as any of the above symptoms. 

What Causes PMS?

If you’ve seen any of my posts you’ll know that hormonal imbalance can occur due to a number of factors: nutritional deficiencies, poor diet, frequent changes in blood sugar, lack of sleep, and environmental factors. 

If left unaddressed, these issues can not only cause PMS symptoms, but also numerous reproductive issues, including PCOS, infertility, and endometriosis.

When determining what’s going on in your body, the PMS symptoms you experience can offer some clues.

For example, if you’re feeling crazy cravings before your period or experience bowel changes, then your digestive system may be out of line. If you’re constantly tired or having anxiety, then your body might not have the nutritional resources it needs to function.

Paying attention to your unique symptoms is important because it allows you to target the root of the problem, not just the symptoms. In doing so, you have a much better chance of taking back control of your body and life.

Yes, You Can Control Your PMS Symptoms

Though it seems like our bodies will just do as they please, you actually have a lot more control over your PMS than you think. 

First, I recommend looking at your diet. Poor diet can have so many different effects on our health, from sleep to energy to depression and more. Cutting out sugar, processed foods, and alcohol are great ways to “test” if your diet is dragging you down. Take it one step at a time and note how you feel. If eliminating a certain food makes you feel better, then leave it out of your diet.

You can also incorporate seed cycling into your daily routine. We covered seed cycling in a three-part series, which you can begin here. 

I also cover natural ways to rebalance your female hormones and say Good Riddance to PMS in my online course. The course includes on-demand webinars, community support, recipes, meal plans, and more to help you start living your best life. 

Check it out here and get rid of your PMS for good!