Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has a wide variety of symptoms that may include backache, headache, nausea, vomiting, loose stools mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression. These symptoms arise 1-2 weeks before menses starts and usually end with the onset of menstrual flow. The symptoms differ for different females and at different ages.
In Ayurved text, PMS can call as Krichhraartava (Krichhra means ‘difficult’ and aartava means ‘menses’).
Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue and troubled sleep
- Upset stomach
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Body ache and/or headache
- Pain in the pubic region
- Appetite changes or food cravings
- Joint or muscle pain
- Tension
- Irritability
- Mood swing
- Anxiety or depression
Causes:
Increased intake of imbalanced diet or over eating i.e. heavy,spicy,sour food like urad, rajma and over physical activities or a sedentary lifestyle causes impairment of Apana Vata (vat dosha type or Air) & prana vat as well as Pitta (Fire). Apana Vata is responsible for elimination of menstrual blood and situated in the lower pelvic region. Impaired Apana Vata & Pran vat and Pitta circulate in different channels of the body, causing various physical symptoms of PMS. Pran Vata is responsible for anxiety, mood swings and depression like problems.
In modern science exact causes of premenstrual syndrome is unknown, but following factors may effect:
1.Cyclic changes in hormones.
2. Chemical changes in the brain. Fluctuations of serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that is to play a crucial role in mood states, could trigger PMS symptoms. Insufficient amounts of serotonin may contribute to premenstrual depression, as well as to fatigue, food cravings and sleep problems.
Ayurvedic Medicine for Fever, Diet & Lifestyle:
- Avoid heavy, oily, sour, fried, and indigestible foods like pumpkin, potato, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, mushrooms, and eggplant.
- Exercise lightly each day, such as walking or stretching on a regular basis.
- Eat freshly prepared, warm, and easily digestible meals to reduce bloating and the sensation of fullness.
- Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains Include celery seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, fenugreek, asafetida, black pepper, coriander.
- Choose foods rich in calcium in your diet like milk, a daily calcium supplement may help.
Home Remedy:
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According to ayurveda PMS symptoms reduces with the use of herbs, such as ginkgo, ginger, evening primrose oil.
Note:
Medicine should be taken according to vaidya/docter
Treatment with Remedies and Ayurvedic Medicine