Menstrual
Problems
Menstrual
problems come in different forms and affect many women. Some women
experience pain, fatigue, light-headedness days before and during a
period. Other may have irregular periods, too little blood, skip
periods for reasons other than pregnancy, or too heavy menstrual flow.
Premenstrual
syndrome (PMS) is the most common disorder of menstrual problems. It
occurs days before menstruation. Symptoms include abdominal
bloating, acne, anxiety, depression, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, joint
pain, water retention, drastic mood swings and debilitating cramps.
Menstrual
problems are usually caused by hormonal imbalance. However, other
medical conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease,
uterine infection, fibroid cysts, tumors can cause similar symptoms.
It is important to consult a doctor if there are drastic changes in
menstruation and if the symptoms significantly affect daily activities.
Although PMS
can be helped with drugs such as analgesics, gonadotropin inhibitors,
antidepressants, tranquilizers, etc, these drugs can cause many side
effects, including stomach bleeding, liver damage, weight gain, excess
hair growth, hot flashes, headache, nausea. A change in diet (avoid
fried foods, alcohol, caffeine), nutritional supplementation, and regular
exercise are safe alternatives for the relief of PMS.
Food
supplements for menstrual problems:
Evening primrose oil
Rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an
essential fatty acid that can relieve PMS and help proper glandular
function.
Vitamin B complex
Reduces stress, prevents anemia, reduces water
retention, helps to regulate estrogen level.
Vitamin E
Relieves sore breast and symptoms associated
with PMS.
Black cohosh
Relieves pain, cramp and uterine swelling.
Vitex
Easea fluid retention, mood swing,
premenstrual acne. Vitex extract may regulate the pituitary gland,
which sends signals to other glands to regulate the production of other
hormones.
St. John's Wort
Good for mood swing and mild to moderate
depression, including those caused by hormonal fluctuations during
menstrual period.
Valerian
Relaxing herb to relieve nervousness, tension
and insomnia.
Yarrow
Treats menstrual pain, cramp, heavy period and
excessive bleeding.
Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)
A Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat PMS.
Dang Gui improves blood circulation and metabolism. It is also a
blood builder and regulate menstrual cycles.
Now Foods, Super Primrose Evening Primrose Oil
Jarrow Formulas, B-Right
Abkit, Kira, St. John's Wort
New
Chapter, Estrotone
(use code "WAN045" - get $5 off your first order)
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