AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome is thought to be caused by hormone imbalances. Alteratives, liver tonics, and hepatoprotectives are a foundation for normalizing hormones. Rest, stress management, and a dosha appropriate diet & routine may support a smoother pre menstrual time period.

Here are some approaches to specific symptoms of PMS:

• PMS Blood congestion - Uterine congestion builds as estrogen stimulates growth of the endometrium. Congested uterine blood causes general pelvic blood congestion & stasis, leading to feelings of heaviness, achiness, pain, & backache. Estrogen receptors in blood vessels lead to vascular changes inducing blood stasis. Astringent decongestants and blood movers help in this case, including Yarrow (Achillea), Angelica, Horse Chestnut (Aesculus), and Witch Hazel (Hamamelis). Progesteronic and/or anti-estrogenic herbs may help reduce these estrogenic effects.
• PMS Fluid retention - Estrogen receptors lead to fluid retention, causing pelvic blood congestion and breast tenderness. Diuretics and remedies for blood stasis will help. Diuretics for PMS include Parsley (Petroselinum), Nettles (Urtica), Dandelion (Taraxacum), and Horestail (Equisetum)
• PMS Headaches - If congestive, treat similarly to blood stasis. Chastetree (Vitex) and Black Cohosh (Actaea) are specific to PMS headaches. If migraine type, consider alteratives.
• PMS Mood Swings - Nervines, nerve trophorestoratives and HPA-Axis nuetrotransmitters may help. If these don't work, the symptoms may be liver related.
• PMS Depression - Dopaminergic herbs will lift the mood.
• PMS acne - High testosterone makes the skin oily. Consider anti-androgens, alteratives, cleansing toxins, & supporting the liver. Supplements include Vitamin A, Beta-carotene, Zinc, and Essential Fatty Acids.