Fatigue, depression, irritability, bloating and headaches are some of the ugly symptoms of PMS which impacts millions of women every month.Fortunately premenstrual syndrome--believed to be caused by changes in levels of hormones during the menstrual cycle--is not totally out of the womans control. Studies show that nutrition and diet have an important part in the severity of PMS and can provide much need relief and many sufferers could reduce their monthly sessions with symptoms just by taking natural supplements or by adjusting their diets.

 

Western culture jokes about PMS on many occasions, but premenstrual syndrome can be a serious and rehabilitating problem for women. As many as 80 percent of women have PMS related symptoms during the last one quarter to one half of their monthly cycle. Some women have the symptoms occasionally, but about 10 percent have them every month.About 5 percent of women have PMS symptoms so severe that it leads to general depression.

 

The indication is that PMS symptoms occur more frequently in women whose levels of blood estrogen are extremely high in comparison with those of progesterone. However, natural methods to remedy such an imbalance between the two hormones in order to prevent or correct the PMS symptoms are available. Licorice is understood to lower estrogen levels and at the same time raising progesterone levels bringing the two hormones into balance. Soy can also improve the balance between hormone levels.

 

Chaste berries, bee pollen, parsley, lavender, flaxseed oil and primrose oil are other natural remedies which have been proven to relax common PMS symptoms. Dong quai is a Chinese herb that is known as natures gift to women.Its a female reproductive system tonic which assists in regulating the menstrual cycle, particularly adjusting any imbalances that may be the cause of some of the PMS symptoms.

PMS may also be set off by deficiencies in the diet of certain minerals or vitamins such as magnesium.A deficiency in magnesium is a likely cause of the symptoms for PMS. In premenstrual syndrome patients, magnesium levels in the red blood cells are known to be much lower than in normal blood cells. Many women with PMS have high dairy fat and high sugar intake each of which reduces blood magnesium levels.Supplemental magnesium would seem to be a necessity. Calcium,zinc and B-vitamins such as B6 can also help with perfecting nutritional balances.

Besides taking supplements,PMS relief can be achieved by making other dietary changes. Eat foods such as green leafy vegetables and fatty fish which are full of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been tied to PMS.For women who suffer from symptoms of PMS, the elimination of dairy products and meat from the diet and increasing vegetables and fruits often has a beneficial effect overall and directly for relief of premenstrual syndrome discomfort.

Many women also gain benefit from meditation and relaxation techniques. Just following a regimen of drinking eight to ten glasses of water daily and changing to a low-fat low-sugar diet with no caffeine and minimal alcohol plus meditation is often helpful in relieving PMS symptoms. Others turn to natural PMS relief pills or herbs to help get through the symptoms.