PMS City, Man.
While this convo may be more appropriate towards the ladies reading – men, take note. PMS isn’t some arbitrary thing we (women) made up because we’re lacking on things to do. The truth is, this monthly phenomenon affects 75 percent of women each month – yikes. To add too that, around 20-40 percent are affected so much they cannot function, status quo (a term called PMDD: premenstrual dysphoric disorder). By now, you should know that I’m a data person. I pay attention to numbers, closely. Those numbers are a really-big-deal.
Combing through some literature, I was recently reminded that women used to hold up in red tents at this time of the month. It was treated as a retreat, of sorts (jury’s out on how to interpret that one). In this century, most of us don’t have the luxury of time off to deal with the symptoms that can bother us both before and during (especially the first 3-4 days). Instead, we’re battling fatigue, bloating, pain, nausea, and crying fits all while working, being childcare providers, and doing the fucking laundry – for the upteenth time this week.
The science nerd in me hates this – really hates this. Modern science has given us so much, yet so little. The usual remedy is to throw hormonal birth control at women. Sure – but, staying on birth control pills has a finite point. I threw the towel in my mid-30’s when I could no longer stand the horrible headaches. Personally, I also knew healthy, young woman (my own age, no less) who had a stroke related to the Nuvaring. Luckily, she recovered. It scared me shitless. Guess what, still does.
Now that I’m in my early 40’s, I’d really like to see some hard data on what actually causes this. The old belief was hormonal imbalance (pretty sure I had my hormonal balance and thyroid levels checked as much as one possibly can). The numbers were always in a “normal” range. Great – now what? Here’s my own thought process: I think the vast majority of us are simply that sensitive to the ebb/flow of hormonal levels. Hormonal intervention (birth control pills, IUD’s, etc.), or not. Once levels start to increase/decrease – we feel the push/pull effect.
What happens when you exercise, sleep well, manage your stress, and have a decent diet – yet, still experience PMS? You research things that may actually work. From experience, I will throw out a few of my own remedies that seem to work (my personal experience, here – not medical advice that I received).
- Red raspberry leaf tea: I found this gem while pregnant with my daughter. I didn’t consume it while pregnant: but, like crazy afterwards. Personally, it helps with cramping/pain/bleeding. The flavor can be a bit overwhelming (as a side note). I never really had a preference on brand – these days, however, I do have a source who grows/dries her own in an organic garden (always convenient). Science has pointed to the presence of bioactive compounds (tannins and flavonoids) for anti-inflammatory protection. This stuff helps me avoid Advil (mostly).
- CBD cream: I’m a big fan of CBDFx’s Muscle and Joint Cream. At 1,000 mg of CBD per use (one small pump), I find the relief to be quick and effective (I’m prone to back pain, just before and during). The bonus is that this cream is beneficial for other aches and pains, so it doesn’t hurt to have it around the house. https://cbdfx.com/products/cbd-hemp-cream/
- THC/CBD: I keep citing 1906’s products because they are that good. I’m prone to PMS fatigue – as in, hard to wake up in the morning and feeling a definite mid-day slump. Enter in 1906’s Genius (2.5 MG THC: 2.5 MG CBD) or Go (5.0 MG THC: 5.0 MG CBD). Both products contain caffeine as plant medicines (just be aware if you’re sensitive). Unlike drinking coffee, I feel as if these products do not produce a caffeine crash (read: me being bitchy). They’re also low-dose enough that most people report they can function well (read: not be a train wreck at work). https://1906newhighs.com/about/
Like anything, it’s worth checking in with a healthcare provider if you’re exhausting remedies and not finding relief. Time out, though – these things do take some time to properly assess for yourself. So, as long as you’re not in absolute distress (sorry, that needs a healthcare provider’s prompt evaluation) – give it time. A few months, minimum.
Here’s to relief…and, just allowing ourselves to fucking chill over something that’s perfectly normal (and, clearly been happening since biblical times).
~SM