PMS
Hormonal imbalance
Hormones are chemical messengers that control many important functions in the body, including metabolism, growth, reproduction, and mood. In the second half of the cycle, the ratio of the hormones estrogen and progesterone changes. This is a natural process that can trigger symptoms in some women, also known as PMS. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and tips for managing them here.
PMS – Premenstrual syndrome
PMS – Definition
PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms that many women experience about one to two weeks before their period, in the second half of their menstrual cycle. It primarily affects women of childbearing age and can cause both physical and emotional symptoms. Affected women may feel as if their bodies and emotions are completely out of balance. Symptoms range from mild discomfort to those that can severely impact daily life. These symptoms typically subside with the onset of menstruation.
Reason for PMS
The cause of PMS lies in the natural hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle. In the second half of the cycle, after ovulation, the ratio of the hormones estrogen and progesterone changes. This change is completely natural, but in some women it leads to an imbalance that causes the typical PMS symptoms. Other factors such as stress, an unbalanced diet, or lack of sleep can also increase the risk of PMS or worsen symptoms.
Typical symptoms of PMS
Many women experience various physical, emotional, and even psychological symptoms during premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Physical symptoms often include breast tenderness, abdominal cramps, headaches, and back pain. Food cravings, fatigue, and water retention are also common. Some women also suffer from digestive problems or skin blemishes. Emotionally, PMS symptoms can manifest as irritability, mood swings, or even depression. Anxiety or nervousness are particularly common in the second half of the cycle. Women also often report increased emotional sensitivity. In addition to these symptoms, many women also complain of sleep disturbances, whether due to difficulty falling asleep or restless sleep. This disrupts their sleep rhythm, which in turn can lead to tiredness and exhaustion during the day. All of these symptoms can significantly impact daily life but usually subside with the onset of menstruation.
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Breast tenderness
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Abdominal cramps
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Headaches
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Back pain
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Food cravings
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Fatigue
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Water retention
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Skin blemishes
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Mood swings
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Anxiety and nervousness
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Increased emotional sensitivity
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Sleep disturbances
PMS despite the contraceptive pill
Although the birth control pill protects many women from PMS symptoms by regulating their cycles and balancing hormonal fluctuations, some women may still experience symptoms despite taking the pill. The pill suppresses the natural fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, which in most cases results in less severe PMS symptoms. However, not all pill types are the same, and some women still notice changes in their body or mood, especially during the pill-free period or when they start taking the pill again.
Tips for PMS
If you feel like PMS is interfering with your daily life, there are fortunately many ways to manage the symptoms. A balanced diet, regular exercise, stress reduction, and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation can help support hormonal balance and relieve symptoms. Herbal remedies like chasteberry have also been shown to stabilize hormone levels and reduce symptoms like irritability or breast tenderness.
Tip: Chasteberry
Chasteberry, also known as “chaste tree” or “Vitex agnus-castus,” is a medicinal plant that has been used in natural medicine for centuries. It has a special effect on the endocrine system and helps regulate hormonal balance. Chasteberry is particularly popular among women to relieve symptoms such as irregular periods, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), and menstrual irregularities. Its natural ingredients promote the balance of hormones in the body, particularly the ratio of estrogen to progesterone.
What’s special about chasteberry is its effect on the hormonal system by stimulating the release of certain neurotransmitters in the body. Chasteberry also contains substances similar to human sex hormones that support the hormonal system. Chasteberry has a particular effect on dopamine, a substance in the brain that influences our mood and emotions. Dopamine helps reduce the influence of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that can be responsible for, among other things, complaints such as breast tenderness, irritability, and mood swings – symptoms that often occur with hormonal imbalance. Chasteberry supports the production of dopamine, which helps balance prolactin levels and thus alleviate unpleasant symptoms associated with menstrual irregularities.
