Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), which is also known as pre-menstrual tension (PMT), is a cluster of symptoms that may include bloating, tiredness, irritability, depression, mood swings, breast tenderness and headaches predominately occurring in the week leading up to menstruation for women.
We asked triyoga therapists Avni Trivedi, Felicity Bevell and Susan Nove what are some of the best ways to manage (rather than fight) PMS as it comes every month. Read on for their answers below.
1. cherish yourself
“Instead of fighting PMS, consider this as a time in the month where you need to cherish yourself. Women are cyclical by nature, and symptoms can be soothed by learning to slow right down before you get your period. Use that time to bring your energy inwards, by doing restorative yoga poses, taking naps and doing less intense exercise. Catch up on your favourite box set or book. That way you will have more energy for the rest of the month, especially in the second half of your cycle.” – Avni
2. balance out imbalances
“Consider using nutritional supplements to support and to alleviate PMS symptoms. Supplementing a good multivitamin and mineral, vitamin B6 100mg and zinc 10mg, consider also taking the following twice a day: Ester C Vitamin 1000mg, magnesium 300mg and a good Omega (e.g. Eskimo 3 Brainsharp. If symptoms persist, please seek professional advice from your naturopath.” – Susan
3. find sugar alternatives
“It’s tough if you get cravings for it, but sugar makes the hormones much more jagged. Use warming spices such as cinnamon or ginger to give the feeling of satiety.” – Avni
4. reduce stress in different ways
“Try reducing stress with yoga, meditation or reflexology.” – Felicity
“Try using essential oils such as clary sage, ylang ylang and lavender, which can be used in a rollerball on the pulse points, on the inner wrists or in a diffuser to bring feelings of calm and balance.” – Avni
about the therapists
Avni is a women’s health osteopath with a special interest in pregnancy and birth. She lectures in pregnancy and birth at the British School of Osteopathy and on Nadia Narain’s teacher trainings at triyoga. Avni has a MSc in paediatric osteopathy from the renowned Osteopathic Centre for Children. With an insatiable appetite for learning and development, Avni has also trained to become a doula with Michel Odent and Doula UK, and trained in zero balancing, family constellations, NLP, medical acupuncture, cranial osteopathy, reiki and shiatsu. She is a keen meditator and interested in yoga, ayurveda and anything to do with the mind, body, energy, emotions and spirit. Avni has an intuitive and practical style that can be both strong and gentle. For more information, visit her website.
Through working in the NHS and in her own private practice for 14 years, Felicity has developed a real depth of understanding about physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Felicity is a dedicated and intuitive practitioner, open, kind and compassionate. She creates a safe, supportive, healing space for you to reconnect and re-discover what it is to feel a sense of your own inner balance, good health and wellbeing. For more information go to www.felicityreflexology.co.uk.
Susan is an accomplished and fully qualified, Australian-trained naturopath, nutritionist, homeopath, medical herbalist and therapeutic massage therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her dedication, enthusiasm and patience make her a unique therapist who is flexible with each individual’s therapeutic needs.
