Constant Pms

From mid-cycle until it starts, I have cramps, bloating, extremely exhausted and crabby. I do have pmdd, but I'm in my early 40's and am really hoping it's menopause. Bring it on--I'm ready for this to be over!

Hi T.,
I and all the women in my family had horrible problems with pms and menopause. I started a nutritional program that corrected all my problems and I sailed through menopause. I would be happy to help you if you want to contact me. I could also send you a cd on women's health.
This is not a natural side effect of "getting older."
Victoria

I had the same issues and my OBGYN said the same thing and wanted to put me back on the pill. I was also very moody and she said the pill would be the best thing to regulate me. I'm done with being on the pill and hated how it made me feel all the time (nauseous, headaches, etc.) so that wasn't an option for me. I went to a naturopathy doctor that specialized in womans issues and she too some blood mid way thru my cycle and asked me a bunch of questions and said I might have a hormone in-balance. Sure enough when the test results my progesterone was low & my testosterone was a bit low! She gave me Progonol cream that I use on day 14-28 and it works great! I've been doing this for 2 months now and I do notice a difference. I would suggest getting another option.

Best of luck to you!

I am about your age. I don't get that way.
But i use this (for stress and monthly PMS):
Natural Calm
http://www.calmnatural.com/pms-menstrual-cramps
http://www.nutritionaltree.com/reviews/women/pms/natural-...
http://therootofthematter.net/cgi-bin/itsmy/go.exe?page=3...
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3...

From my local natural food store or even Whole Foods etc., or online like at Amazon.
Its good for just stress and overall health etc.
If you Google "natural calm" you will find a lot of reviews on it.

Lots of women/people are deficient in magnesium...

all the best,
Susan

I'm 35. I thought I might have PMDD. My gyne says I probably do, but it's also probably perimenopause, which can start 15+ yrs before menopause. She swears other docs just don't like to use the word perimenopause, especially when we come in feeling psychotic since it's not a friendly way to label us! I use Happy Camper. It makes a difference, and even more so when I eat well, drink lots of water, get exercise, and avoid people I hate :)
I find it cheapest here... http://www.allstarhealth.com/f/natural_balance-happy_camp...

I used to have this too- constantly! I am now in my early 30s, but finally figured out about 6 months ago that mine was linked with diet, actually quite accidentally. It is a symptom of gluten intolerance, and can be a sign of atypical Celiac's disease. Since I have been gluten-free, I have NO cramping and my cycle is regular- MUCH lighter periods, less moodiness and NO bloating. If I have even a HINT of gluten though, my period will be terrible that month.

There are lots of things on the internet about diets that are gluten-free and more "traditional." The first book that I got started with was _Nourishing Traditions_ by Sally Fallon. She is not gluten-free, but recommends ways to make gluten and nuts more digestible and easier on our bodies.

Then I went to the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) for my autoimmune issues, and we are kind of a combo of that and GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) and Feingold (which means nothing artificial) www.feingold.org

Diets that you may want to look into are those and "primal" or "paleo"

This has really changed my life in terms of energy and health, not just with my cycles.

There are so many great websites out there to help you get started, but if you're interested, I also blog about our journey through figuring out what foods work for us: www.chickiepea.wordpress.com

Other things you may consider:

-plastics, lavendar, chemicals (Iike hair dye, nail polish), and soy can be major hormone disrupters

-chiropractic makes me feel much better overall and may help

-changing your care from an OB/GYN to a CNM (certified nurse midwife) as they are much more in tune with natural remedies and are trained in what is "normal" for females, versus OBs who are surgeons

Hope some of this helps!
M.

Hi T.,

As you get older, you body does change and you also lose valuable nutrients in your system. Those need to be replenished. Good nutrition and exercise will help tremendously. If you can't change those things or you simply want some extra help, I would recommend an absorbable multivitamin/mineral complex. The one I take is guaranteed to absorb and it makes me feel great. Sometimes as a mom, the "me" time is simply not there :)

I think Forty is the turning point where we stop thinking like we're 25 because we actually feel different. It doesn't have to be uncomfortable but know that you have to "do" something and that will prevent a lot more of the same down the road as well.

God bless,

M.

I use St. John's Wort. I can't live without it!

Did you ask about Fibroids - you will need an ultrasound. did she check for endometriosis? scaring of the tubes?

Also - have you had your hormones checked? my doc wouldn't do it so I went to a specialist and found I needed a few hormones - so she had them specially blended for me.