“She must have PMS.” We often hear the term “PMS” thrown around like a meaningless cliche or a descriptive term for a woman who is in a bad mood.
But if you suffer from severe pre-menstrual syndrome(PMS), you know how serious PMS really is. And how it can hinder your professional and personal life.
With only 28 days in between periods, sometimes it feels like PMS is here to stay and won’t ever go away. But the truth is that with good self-care— and perhaps a little additional therapy from a medical provider- PMS doesn’t have to be that bad.
So What Exactly Is PMS?
PMS is short for premenstrual syndrome. Let’s take a quick look at the whole menstrual cycle so that we can better understand what PMS is and why it happens.
The menstrual cycle consists of a monthly series of changes in a woman’s body that prepares the body for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month an egg is released from one of the ovaries- a process called ovulation.
During this same time, hormonal changes prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If ovulation takes place, but the egg isn’t fertilized, the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. This shedding is a menstrual period.
Because a shift in hormones triggers a woman’s menstrual cycle, changes in mood, weight, and energy levels are expected. If these symptoms are debilitating, this can be a sign of hormone imbalance.
Normal Premenstrual Symptoms
Pre-menstrual syndrome occurs in a woman in the second half of the menstrual cycle, between ovulation and the beginning of menstrual bleeding.
Normal premenstrual symptoms of PMS include:
- Bloating
- Uterine cramping
- Headaches
- Tender breasts
- Sleep problems
- Low sex drive
- Lower back pain
- Constipation
- Weight gain
You may also experience some mood and behavioral symptoms like:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Decreased alertness
- Withdrawal from family and friends
None of these symptoms should be severe or last long enough to impact the quality of your life significantly. Also, note that it is common for there to be a difference between cycles in the quantity of menstrual blood and the severity of PMS symptoms.
When Do Female PMS Symptoms Decline?
As you near menopause, you should expect premenstrual symptoms to decline. As you age, your hormone levels will decrease. You may also experience lighter PMS symptoms when stress is managed, exercise is consistent, and diet is balanced.
If your hormones are a little out of whack, there are some natural ways to get back to balance:
1. Adjust your diet.
Remove processed foods from your diet and eat whole clean foods. Increase your intake of veggies and fruits. Reduce or eliminate caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, salt, sugar, and high-fat dairy products.
2. Exercise regularly.
Get the endorphins moving.
3. Meditate.
Meditation assists in rebalancing the nervous system and reduces stress.
4. Get enough rest.
Make sure to get 8-9 hours of sleep at night.
5. Breathe and relax.
Get oxygen to your cells. Focus on relaxing your muscles and your mind.
Hormonal Imbalance
If you are suffering from debilitating cramps, heavy menstrual flow, severe depression, or anxiety, you may have a hormonal imbalance. The great news is that this hormone imbalance may be treatable.
The first thing to do is to talk with your doctor, get a comprehensive blood test, and have your doctor measure your hormone levels. If your hormone levels are out of balance, you are a candidate for hormone therapy.
Hormone Therapy
When faced with hormone imbalance, doctors have traditionally prescribed synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to correct them. Unfortunately, a Women’s Health Initiative study showed that women taking this form of HRT had:
- 27 percent more heart attacks
- A higher rate of breast cancer
- 38 percent more strokes
- Double the number of blood clots
That is why a large number of practitioners have turned back to the century-old tradition of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).
An Integrated Approach to Hormone Therapy
BHRT is a type of hormone therapy that uses hormones that are structurally identical to the substances as they naturally occur in your body. It has been a favorite for both men and women going through the aging process and dealing with hormonal imbalance.
Other hormone therapy options include pills, patches, and creams, but don’t offer an individualized approach for your unique needs and health concerns. BHRT is the natural alternative to synthetic hormone treatments that often don’t provide relief.
At EvexiPEL, we approach BHRT through hormone pellet therapy. Hormone pellets have been around for decades but were pushed aside when pills and patches flooded the market.
EvexiPEL’s tried and true therapy using hormone pellets not only addresses hormonal imbalances but emotional variables too. Here’s why our approach works:
It’s Natural
Instead of putting something synthetic into your body (which often either doesn’t work or works so sporadically that your body spends most of its time trying to play catch up), we use hormone pellets for women derived from natural, plant-based substances.
We Attend to Your Unique Needs
We can cater each pellet to each patient’s individual needs. This means that the pellets will metabolize naturally into your body, without causing adverse side effects.
We Know You Don’t Need More Pressure
With various options and tons of information out there, it can be a lot of pressure deciding which method is the best for you.
We’re providing these FAQs so you can get a better idea of what hormone pellet therapy is all about and how it can help you. For more information, read our blog post on Hormone Replacement Therapy: Is It Right for You?.
1. What are hormone pellets?
Designed for both men and women, hormone pellets are roughly the size of a grain of rice and composed of an estrogen hormone or testosterone. They come from organic plant materials that mimic the molecular structure of those hormones found in the body. And, these tiny pellets are inserted under the skin, usually in the buttocks, in a simple and painless in-office procedure.
2. How do BHRT pellets work?
The pellets release small amounts of hormones directly into the bloodstream similar to the way your body would in previous years. Also, the pellets will release the hormones in response to physical activity or emotional stress, both the good and bad kind. They also allow for a steady stream of hormones, which can help curb symptoms and side effects of your hormone levels.
3. What are the pros of hormone pellets?
BHRT with pellets is preferred by many patients thanks to its incredible convenience. Rather than remembering to take daily pills or apply cream throughout the day, most patients need only to visit their practitioner 2-3 times per year for pellet implants. With hormone pellets, you can truly restore order to your life!
4. Are there any cons of hormone pellets?
For some patients, the idea of a procedure can be scary. Though the insertion method is painless and straightforward for most, there is always a possibility for discomfort.
Also, there is a little downtime required post-insertion; you should not practice any strenuous physical activity or have prolonged water exposure for the first few days after implantation.
Finally, BHRT with pellets can be slightly more expensive than other forms of hormone therapy, but it is also recognized as more reliable and valuable.
Meet With Us Today
Do you have severe PMS symptoms? Are you tired of them taking over your life? It’s worth speaking to your healthcare provider so you can get on an appropriate treatment plan and get back to feeling your best!
Providers following the EvexiPEL method will seek out the root cause of your health issues. They will guide you through a natural and safe customized treatment plan. You can find your nearest EvexiPEL provider here and learn more about the EvexiPEL method here!
Finding the Best Treatment Path
Our hormones are just as unique as we are. So, finding the best treatment path to help you achieve balance requires time and collaboration.
Our practitioners spend as much time as necessary, talking with their patients. This means they will not stop until they have uncovered the root cause (or causes) of the issues their patients are having.
This could require:
- Several tests and follow-up tests
- Multiple conversations
- Open communication
Our Practitioners Are Here for You
Whatever you need, our providers will be there for you. Once the root cause is uncovered, our practitioners will work with you to devise a unique and effective treatment plan.
With issues such as pre-menstrual syndrome, this treatment plan will often involve what is sometimes thought of as unconventional treatment methods. This could mean seeking counseling in detoxifying your environment or emotional well-being, nutritional supplementation, BHRT, and more.
Schedule your consultation today to speak with one of our hormone experts and take the first step toward restoring balance!
Resources
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Article Reviewed By The Medical Faculty and Advisory Review Board
- Image attribution.
- Clevelandclinic.org
- Healthline.com
- Health.harvard.edu
- Bluecrossnc.com