Believe It or not, PMS Can Get Worse, and a Lot!

Premenstrual syndrome makes us all feel bloated, tired, and irritable to a certain extent. But imagine a PMS ten times stronger! Every woman’s nightmare.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects approximately 8% of women, usually from early twenties to early thirties. Just like with PMS, the symptoms occur in the second part of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation, and disappear during the first days of menstruation. The PMDD symptoms are physical, mental and - extreme.

PMDD can affect your psyche by making you feel exceedingly:

• ·         sad and hopeless
• ·         depressed and desperate
• ·         anxious and tense
• ·         oversensitive and overemotional
• ·         irritable, angry, ready to jump down someone’s throat for no reason
• ·         edgy, panicky, upset
• ·         antisocial, in need of solitude
• ·         in worst cases even suicidal

PMDD affects your body by making you feel:

• ·         complete lack of energy
• ·         fatigue, exhaustion
• ·         unable to concentrate, forgetful
• ·         insomnia or broken sleep
• ·         extreme desire to overeat
• ·         chest pain
• ·         bloated, indigestion
• ·         headache
• ·         muscle cramps and joint pain
• ·         weight gain.

Women who suffer from PMDD have a genuine problem to go about their daily routine, which affects their families, jobs and social life. Modern medicine approaches the problem with synthetic drugs: antidepressants, anxiolytics, hormones… Being in early twenties and having to take so many medications can easily make us believe that our life is an absolute mess and that there’s something seriously wrong with us.

The cause of PMDD is not completely clear, however the most probable scenario is a reaction to hormonal changes in the body. So far, clinical research has confirmed that women suffering from this syndrome have lower serotonin levels. The reason more to be more physically active and control the diet by ditching sugar, fast and fatty food, alcohol, caffeine and smoking. More grain, fresh fruit and vegetables will provide enough magnesium, zinc and vitamin B6 to soothe the nerves, muscle cramps and joint pain.

However, just like with PMS, medicinal herbs are an ideal and natural way to alleviate and even eliminate PMDD symptoms. Lady’s mantle, yarrow, marigold, crane’s bill, golden maca, shepherd’s purse... an ideal herbal blend accompanied with zinc, all contained in one capsule of Femisan A. 

Femisan A, a safe and natural way to balance hormones and live your life to the fullest!

Our Monthly Companion

Menstruation is an ever present phenomenon in every woman’s life, and a foundation of her functioning reproductive system. With small variations from month to month, menstrual bleeding is rather consistent. Thus, it is not difficult to detect sudden abnormalities. First of all, we need to know what ‘normal’ is. Periods should occur 21-35 days apart, and should not last for longer than 7 days. They should occur regularly on a monthly basis. Although a certain level of discomfort and pain is usually present, it shouldn’t get in the way of our usual everyday activities. The bleeding should occur during the period, and not in between.  

Teenage girls usually find their periods rather frenzied and unpredictable, however as the ovaries age, ovulation and menstruation become more and more regular. Once it becomes stable, even the slightest changes will sound an alarm.

What are the changes in our cycle trying to tell us?

• ·         If periods suddenly start lasting longer than usual, it can be a sign of polyps or uterine fibroids, benign changes on the uterine wall. A detailed pelvic checkup and transvaginal ultrasound is advised.
• ·         Large blood clots, size of a coin, usually accompanied by heavy bleeding during periods, point at endometriosis, the disorder where the endometrium - lining of the uterus, grows outside of it and reacts to the secreted hormones the same way as normal endometrium, shedding its lining during a period. Since endometriosis can cause numerous complications, urgent help from a professional is a must.
• ·         Extremely painful periods can be another sign of endometriosis. Certain level of menstrual pain and discomfort is normal, however if it is so severe that it impedes everyday activities, month after month, professional help is needed.
• ·         Spotting between periods or inter-menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than two months can indicate a hormone imbalance or an STD. However, sometimes spotting can simply be caused by stress or sudden weight loss. Anyway, it’s always wiser to get a checkup on time.
• ·         If menstrual blood is too light, our estrogen levels could be too low, preventing the uterine lining to form properly. It is usually accompanied with hair loss, irregular periods and vaginal dryness.
• ·         Absence of menstruation, amenorrhea, unless caused by pregnancy, can occur at times of extreme stress, malnutrition and low fat diet, too much exercise, thyroid disorder or onset of menopause.
• ·         Irregular periods or missed periods could indicate a hormone imbalance caused by polycystic ovaries, particularly if they are accompanied with weight gain, fatigue, increased facial hair, acne, mood swings and abdominal pain. Any absence of menstruation longer than 3 months requires a medical checkup.
• ·         Heavy periods that last longer than 7 days could be a sign of uterine fibroids. Fibroids are caused by hormone imbalance, and although they are benign, they could cause discomfort by, for example, putting too much pressure on the bladder, or triggering extremely heavy bleeding which could lead to anemia.

We live in a world where menstrual disorders are becoming much more common than normal periods. Sadly, our environment is swamped with hormone disruptors which are impossible to avoid. However, there are certain aspects of our lives that we can control: getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and moderately, cutting out alcohol, caffeine, fast food and sugar, maintaining normal weight and having regular medical checkups.

For centuries, women have been seeking relief in nature. Today, old experience is united with modern, scientific knowledge in Femisan A, an entirely natural, herbal preparation. Femisan A can help regulate the menstrual cycle, balance hormones, strengthen the lining of the uterus, eliminate cysts, protect the ovaries and reduce menstrual pain.