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Natural Remedies for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
When you are days away from having your menstrual periods, do you experience extreme physical and mental reactions? If you do, then you are probably suffering from PMDD. This disorder is sort of an extension of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). There are numerous ways of approaching this disorder without the use of medication. You can naturally meet your needs and this article can help you.
Natural Measures to Help Ease the Symptoms of PMDD by Dr. Jason B. Jones
Change your diet to fit your needs- Your new diet should aim for fiber-rich whole grains with lots of vegetables and fruits that provide energy and many nutrients. Reduce your intake of alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and salt. Increase your intake of carbohydrates that contain tryptophan, and proteins. Tryptophan is an amino acid and a serotonin precursor. It helps regulate the mood, thus very beneficial to a person who is trying to regulate their PMDD symptoms. Introduce or increase the following foods stuffs in your diet plan: eggs, fish, beans, peas, yam, pumpkins, and lentils.
Increase your dose of minerals and vitamins- These include:
Vitamin E- Hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds, safflower oils, and sunflower oil
Vitamin B6- Tuna, bananas, chickpeas, beef liver, and potatoes
Folic acid- Brussels sprouts, asparagus, spinach, dairy products, eggs, and peas
Magnesium- Spinach, nuts, whole grains, and legumes
Vitamin D and calcium- Mackerel, tuna, eggs, cabbage, kale, broccoli, and sunlight
Regular exercise- I love recommending strength training and aerobic exercise improved the PMDD symptoms for the women of Elizabeth City, NC. Of the two, aerobic exercise is the most beneficial, especially with respect to premenstrual depression. Take two days off your week to practice aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, swimming, pilates, yoga, and cycling, among others. Alternatively, you could start out with a slow momentum by practicing some breathing and stretching techniques to aid you in sleeping and reducing your stress levels.
Cognitive behavioral therapy- This is a talk therapy that helps an individual identify and alter their negative behavior and thought patterns. This therapy is essential when dealing with PMDD issues such as depression, anxiety, and mood swings. This therapy focuses o the present issues and tries to alleviate your pain by practical methods that affect your state of mind directly. A normal therapeutic treatment could consist of about ten sessions spread out through the week.
Herbal remedies- Make sure that you consult your doctor before you ingest any herb. This form of treatment works best for people who have negative reactions to medication. Make sure that you purchase your herbs from a herbalist who is trained. Alternatively, you could seek the help of a naturopath. Herbs that help alleviate the symptoms of PMDD include:
Evening primrose oil- This treats symptoms such as breast pain, fluid retention, irritability, and depression. A natural fatty acid that stems from the gamma-linolenic fatty acid contained in the evening primrose. This fatty acid is known as Prostaglandin E1. It increases the effects of the prolactin hormone that causes some of the PMDD effects.
Chasteberry- This fruit helps deal with symptoms such as a headache, bloating, mood alteration, anger, and irritability.
