Limit salt and caffeine to control moodiness, bloating
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can hit you out of nowhere. You can feel irritated, bloated or just plain tired. Just when you think there isn’t much you can do to keep it under control, think again.
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Exercise and a healthy diet are just a couple natural ways you can keep PMS at bay, says Ob/Gyn Linda Bradley, MD. “Exercising and eating right can control the bloating, depression, irritability and mood changes associated with PMS.”
Dr. Bradley recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week or 75 minutes of intense aerobic activity per week, along with these 11 dietary shifts:
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In some cases, eating right and exercising aren’t enough to help women. If you’ve tried natural ways to help with your PMS, your doctor may recommend fluoxetine (Prozac®) or other serotonin-enhancing medications.
“Sometimes, women say they have PMS when, in fact, they are depressed,” says Dr. Bradley. “But with PMS sufferers, as soon as their period starts, they feel better. When someone who tells me every day of the month they’re feeling depressed, that is not PMS. But sometimes, that’s an easier word than saying they’re depressed.”
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