Most women would be perfectly happy without the arrival of their monthly visitor. While a regular menstrual cycle is a sign of good health, it often comes with gut-wrenching, painful, and potentially embarrassing symptoms that can severely interfere with even the most routine daily activities. Here are 8 supplements to consider during your menstrual cycle.
This is where menstrual cycle supplements may prove to be helpful. As these uncomfortable symptoms arrive every month, taking prescribed pain killers isn’t really the best solution.
Although using analgesics for period pain is quite common (and aggressively marketed by the pharmaceutical companies) there is an increasing awareness that long-term use has harmful effects on the body, particularly organs such as liver and kidneys.
When a menstrual cycle starts, hormones in the female body fluctuate intensely, creating a vortex of annoying symptoms. Swollen breasts, moodiness, and dizziness are only the beginning.
Most women are stuck taking pain relievers, like ibuprofen, for the duration of their symptoms, but pain relievers only target cramp pain. They do nothing for the other annoying symptoms. Hormone pills are often associated with leaving their users with many side effects, some of which are long term. For these reasons it may be worth your while using a more natural and holistic solution – natural supplements.
Benefits of Using Natural Supplements
Natural supplements may fall under the same category as mainstream hormone pills, but the benefits are clear. Even though they essentially do the same job, natural supplements surpass hormone pills in many areas.
Because menstrual cycle supplements are made with natural ingredients, they are safer to use and have no known side effects.
Supplements also can improve a woman’s energy levels. They promote the growth of endometrium and can help reduce or eliminate the painful symptoms for women who suffer from endometriosis. By choosing the right supplement, you can go about your week with less pain or discomfort.
To achieve the maximum effect from these supplements, you should also implement a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise. Maintaining a healthy body weight helps to regulate your body’s hormone production.
Here are 8 Supplements
Looking for supplements can be daunting, but the journey begins as close as your local naturopathic doctor or herbal store. All of the supplements listed below help with particular menstrual symptoms.
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Vitamin A
– Taking Vitamin A will help reduce the overall symptoms of PMS.
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Vitamin B6
– Vitamin B6 has diuretic properties and helps to reduce bloating. This vitamin helps regulate estrogen imbalances that present during menstruation. B6 also enhances magnesium effectiveness in the body.
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Vitamin E
– Vitamin E reduces the pain of tender and swollen breasts.
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Zinc
– Taking Zinc improves PMS-related acne and reduces depression.
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Calcium
– Calcium reduces overall discomfort related to PMS symptoms.
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Magnesium
– Magnesium relieves stress but also helps with water retention.
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Omega 3 Fatty Acids
– These fatty acids provide menstrual relief for many women.
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Evening Primrose Oil
– is effective for breast pain and irritability. Evening primrose oil contains prostaglandin, which is a naturally occurring fatty acid that works to reduce the adverse effects of the prolactin hormone. This hormones contributes to the development of of several PMDD and PMS symptoms.
Do not take more than the recommended dose, as overdosing can have dangerous side effects. Supplements affect different women in different ways, so it’s imperative to test them out and see which one works best for you.
You can also turn to your doctor for advice on finding the perfect escape. With some testing and patience, you can find relief from those annoying period problems. To schedule a consultation, do so here.
Deika King, TND, MH, CCT, PSc.D
Traditional Doctor of Naturopathy Houston
832-422-7271
