Six Ways to manage PMS (naturally)

Posted on 2 June, 2017

Fact: PMS sucks.

Mood swings, cramps, gastrointestinal issues, breakouts, sore boobs, fatigue… I get it all, and I know I’m not the only one.

In these times, I tend to gravitate towards my hot water bottle, Netflix, chocolate and—when things get really bad—pain relief tablets. But if you’re looking for natural ways to manage your symptoms that don’t involve binge-eating or self-medicating, we’ve rounded up six.

Infra-red sauna

Tubi Oyston, Wellness Consultant with World of Wellbeing says the ability of infrared wavelengths to balance hormones makes it the perfect treatment for PMS sufferers—at any time of your cycle.

“Whether you’ve got your period, or it’s before your period and your PMS is bad, or if you’re at the end of your cycle and you’re actually feeling quite good—the point is to use it regularly,” says Tubi.

“Supporting the body while you’re not in the most difficult part of your cycle is when you can actually do the best healing and aid the body to return to more normal function. It’s all about correcting hormone imbalance.”

PEMF

Magnets for pain relief? Sounds weird, but that’s exactly the premise behind Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF).

“The PEMF improves flow. Flow of blood, of lymphatic fluid and of nutrition into cells,” explains Tubi.

“We know that during the few days before your period starts, your uterus becomes really engorged with blood, and subsequently, lymphatic fluid, which is why people often feel bloated.”

Reduced bloating? Yes please. But what about those tender breasts that many of us get in the lead up to our cycle? Tubi says that’s due to lymphatic fluid in the breast as well – which is why they often get sore too.

“If you can improve blood flow, you improve lymphatic flow, and you change the tissue pressures in specific areas. When the tissue pressures are high, we’re constantly stimulating the pain receptors. Once the tissue pressure normalises, compression of pain receptors eases.”

Improved blood and lymphatic flow can also help with the gastrointestinal upset that can occur in the lead up to our periods, often experienced as bloating, gas, diarrhoea or constipation.

“If you think anatomically, there’s your bladder, then the uterus, and then the bowel. They’re very closely linked – on the pelvic floor they’re one after the other – so they do influence each other. When the uterine area is engorged with blood and lymph it compresses surrounding organs and impairs their ability to function.”

Acupuncture

Acupuncture “helps detect and treat energy imbalances before they lead to disease,” says Tubi.

“Acupuncture intrinsically balances how the body is functioning, and you’re able to target specific areas or conditions that need treatment. This can be very effective in the treatment of hormonal imbalances that underlie PMS.”

In fact, there is some very encouraging evidence to show acupuncture is effective for relieving symptoms of PMS in up to 77% of cases, affecting both long term healing and providing on-the-spot pain relief.

Bowen Therapy

Bowen Therapy is a holistic approach to pain relief and healing that aims to treat the underlying cause of pain by working specifically on fascia or connective tissue- that wraps around bones, nerves, tendons, ligaments, organs and muscles.

“Bowen ‘moves’ stimulate hydration to occur within the fascia and encourages lymphatic flow. Like squeezing out a sponge, when released the tissues absorb up to 20 times the water that was there.”

“When fascia is hydrated” she explains, “it’s actually open like a fishing net, so healing cells can pass through the fascia and into the areas that need help, where they clean up and take the junk away. By improving the function of the organs, tissues, muscles and joints Bowen relieves inflammation and pain, and promotes healing.”

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a holistic approach to health that works to help the body to heal itself naturally.

“One of the reasons to have naturopathy is to make sure that biochemically, your body is functioning properly” says Tubi.

Naturopaths recommend particular herbs and supplements specific to your body’s needs. Tubi says these treatments are far superior to what you’d typically find with over the counter supplements.

“The dosage and the quality of the product isn’t actually high enough to effect a change” she explains.

These six therapies work in synergy to assist lasting change and balance of hormones naturally.  They combine well with conventional medicines, contributing to improved efficacy by supporting intrinsic body function.

Patience

When it comes to treating PMS – or any hormonal issue for that matter – Tubi says patience is key. Response to treatments is individual, and while you may experience improvement in symptoms, more long-term changes take time. For me, as a 25-year-old who has experienced 12 years of PMS, I should expect at least that many months to effect lasting change.

“I say to people that it’s like turning a container ship. For a long time, it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere. Then all of a sudden, they’ve turned the way that they want to go and they’re moving. That’s really what working with natural therapies is like, because you’re changing from the baseline up.”

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The information provided in this article is provided for information purposes only. You should seek assistance from a health care professional when interpreting these materials and applying them to your individual circumstances. If you have any concerns about your health, consult your general practitioner. Information provided in this article does not imply endorsement of third-party services or products and cannot provide you with health and medical advice.