Is PMS normal or even natural?
So many women struggle with their moon time, whether it is PMS symptoms like bloating, headache, irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, irritability, mood swings, or not getting menstruation at all. Nowadays, this is considered to be normal. It might seem normal because so many women struggle with it, but it is not natural.
We, women, are often told to deal with it or even suck it up and go to work; if that doesn't work, the doctor recommends a contraceptive pill that will suppress the symptoms but create massive imbalances in our body resulting in more severe diseases.
To tell you the truth, I have struggled with really painful menstruation since I was 11 years old. And until maybe a year ago, I was never told that this is NOT normal and not necessary. All the symptoms around menstruation indicate an imbalance in one or more of the three Doshas in our body.
When all three Doshas are balanced, and your digestive capacity is stable, you will not have any symptoms what so ever. ( and I can tell you from experience that this is amazing!)
Doshic imbalance
Every symptom that you experience is a sign of imbalance in your mind and body. Each dosha has it's own specific symptoms that correlate with the imbalance.
Vata imbalance results in symptoms like irregular cycles prominent PMS symptoms depression, constipation, anxiety, low back pain
Pitta Imbalance results in symptoms like loose stool, headache, irritability, breast tenderness, hot flashes, acne, spotting between periods.
Kapha imbalance results in symptoms like dull pain, wanting to cry, lethargy, bloating, swollen breasts, colds.
PMS symptoms are usually caused by more than one dosha imbalance. Therefore many people have more than one symptom during their moon cycle.
How to avoid PMS naturally
The following contribute to dosha imbalance and create even more problems for the next cycle.
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Avoid caffeine, coffee, caffeinated tea, chocolate
Caffeine imbalances vata and irritates the nervous system. Therefore to prevent any vata related menstrual symptoms removing caffeine from your diet is a must.
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Fermented foods
Fermented foods are very acidic; they imbalance pitta especially.
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Avoid alcohol, drugs, refined sugar
All of these drugs harm the doshas no matter the amount they all cause imbalances.
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Resentment
Holding on to resentment will weaken your agni causing all kinds of disturbances in your body.
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Aggressive activities
Being or feeling aggressive contributes to pitta imbalance. When you feel angry, stop what you are doing breath, go for a walk in nature, and participate in cool activities.
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Processed food
Our bodies can't digest overly processed foods. Therefore no nutrients will be taken out of them, and they won't get metabolized. The food will stay behind in the intestines start to ferment and cause a lot of gas and other symptoms.
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Do not give in to cravings
Cravings are usually cravings of the mind and often the opposite of what your body needs.
PReventing Pms naturally
To prevent PMS you can alleviate PMS symptoms regardless of which doshic imbalance through the following:
- Minimizing stressful situations
- Practice breathing (pranayama) and yoga regularly preferably daily. But always slowly and gently in a moderate temperature.
- Use 1-2 drops of nasya oil in the nose twice a day.
- Practice daily meditation
- Practice Relaxation
- Soak a small handful of raisins in water overnight, then consume the liquid and the raisins first thing in the morning.
- Chew 1 tbsp sesame seeds for five minutes, then swallow and leave the paste on the teeth.
- Take a break from yoga or exercise on the first day of your flow and possibly through the first four days if tired or experiencing heavy flow.
Creating an easy menstruation
Your moon time is a beautiful moment to naturally draw in your energy renewing yourself with intuition and creativity.
It is important to nourish, soothe, and calm your body, allowing the muscles to relax instead of cramp.
Food recommendations:
Drink warm milk with nutmeg, cardamom.
Have kitchary for at least one of your two main meals (lunch and dinner) and don't over spice your meal.
When you eat an easily digestible meal, you'll give your system a break and not cause any extra strain letting it relax and rejuvenate.
Favor foods that are naturally sweet but not heavy. For example basmati rice with a couple of spices, mung dahl, herbal teas, almonds.
Write a comment
VV (Monday, 25 May 2020 18:28)
What do you recommend for people who struggle with iron deficiency during their menstruation?
Karlijn (Thursday, 28 May 2020 10:52)
This is usually due to an imbalance in your Agni (digestive fire). I would recommend looking into that and how you can improve it. and look at whether your meals are balanced. https://www.poweruponplants.com/ayurvedic-balanced-meal/ This blog post explains how to make a meal balanced. Balanced meals will support your agni.
Warm regards