Supplements That Can Relieve PMS Symptoms

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

28 Feb 2009 09:53 AM

There are a lot of wonderful things about being a woman... but I don't think PMS is all that great. If you look forward to the bloating, the cramps, the aches, and the irritability, you don't have to keep reading this one. However, if you're looking to relieve the many and varied symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, here are some supplements that can help.

• Vitamin B6 can help relieve symptoms like mood swings, water retention, bloating, breast tenderness, weird cravings, and fatigue. However, in large doses, vitamin B6 can be toxic. Talk to your doctor before increasing your vitamin B6 intake to relieve PMS symptoms.
• Vitamins A and D work well together when it comes to your skin. These two vitamins may help reduce oily skin and acne that show up monthly.
• Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It may play a role in reducing stress and irritability that come with PMS. Even better -- if your allergies seem to be worse just before your period, vitamin C is a natural antihistamine that might help relieve allergy symptoms.
• Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant. It may help soothe an unsettled hormone system and relieve hormonal breast tenderness.
• Calcium and magnesium are a PMS-fighting pair. The calcium can help prevent painful premenstrual cramps; the magnesium can help your body absorb the calcium. Magnesium may also help stabilize moods and relieve food cravings.
• L-tyrosine is an amino acid that is used by the brain to produce dopamine -- one of your body's natural happy chemicals. If your brain is producing more dopamine, you may escape the monthly anxiety, depression, and irritability that can come with PMS.

Every woman's experiences with PMS are different -- in fact, every month may come with different combinations of symptoms. If you don't want to pick and choose your supplements to treat a specific month's combination of symptoms, you can look for a PMS blend at your local drugstore. Check the ingredients label and make sure it includes at least a few of these useful supplements!

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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