Guys, a warning to you!
Saying things like:
- Honey, your hormones must be off!
- Is it that time of the month?
- I can tell your period’s coming!
Or, as my sweetheart has said to me, “You’re awesome except for those couple of days a month.”
When he found out I was giving a physician training on PMS and Perimenopausal Mood Disorders this month, he said, “Take good notes!”
(Ladies can I hear an, “Oh no... he did not!”)
Yes, there are times when our hormones are out of whack.
So guys, learn to avoid saying things like the above, and you will most likely avoid hearing things like:
- My hormones are making me crazy because you’ve pissed them off!
- The couch misses you, time to stay there for a few nights.
- Sobbing!
For women, PMS really doesn’t feel good and we know it. Our moods and reactions are off. We can be more anxious or depressed, sleep less or more. Be more tired and bloated and have cramping and pain. There are over 200 symptoms associated with PMS.
In fact I often tell women “If you only hate your husband 2 weeks a month, it’s probably not your husband… it’s your hormones.”
(Guys, you can thank me later for giving you some fully supportive tips below.)
Ladies, I’ll share with you a few ways to bring back the joy premenstrually and in the perimenopause, or even when we are suffering from anxiety and depressive symptoms in general.
But first I’ll explain what’s happening.
From the time of ovulation until menses our ovaries secrete progesterone – the intention is to prepare the uterus and body for pregnancy. Our bodies are designed to respond to the progesterone, which gets us to stick closer to our partner, to feel more connected and intimate, and closer to home; caring for our home and loved ones.
When, however, our bodies aren’t secreting enough progesterone; it’s blocked or being used up faster, and there’s more estrogen circulating (including xeno-estrogens and endocrine disruptors from out toxic environment!) we become more Estrogen dominant and that leads to:
- Severe PMS
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Irregular or heavy cycles
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Ovarian cyst
- Bloating
- Weight gain
- Decreased libido
- Acne
- and the monster within us emerging! (Or is that just me when I’ve gotten way off balance?)
6 Tips To Balance Your Hormones In PMS And Perimenopause
1. A Good Night’s Sleep (7-9 hours)
- Create a relaxing night time ritual.
- Epsom salt bath.
- Electronics off at 9 pm.
- Meditation, deep belly breathing and stretching before bed.
- Supplements to support sleep:
- Add progesterone cream at night from ovulation to menses (I especially like my Balance Cream)
- Add Melatonin
- Add Magnesium
2. Eat Alkalizing And Detoxifying Foods
- Detoxing excess estrogen is essential to healthy hormone balance.
- Enjoy cruciferous vegetables daily. Increase your amount of broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and add dark greens like kale, collards and chard.
- Make a green smoothie and add in Mighty Maca® Plus which is a combination of detoxifying, alkalizing and hormone balancing nutrients.
3. Indulge With Dark Chocolate
I am all about indulging and soothing the senses during this time. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and I stand behind the research that supports it!
4. Nourish Yourself
Eat healthy fats and proteins at each meal, and in the evening add complex carbs like sweet potatoes. Avoid snacks and dairy. Add probiotic rich and fermented foods.
5. Schedule In Playtime
An activity you love with people you love. This will help increase the hormone oxytocin and will help you connect with those around you. Restoring hormones of connections help balance these feelings of isolation and loneliness and will increase serotonin and dopamine, which will keep you happier and calm.
6. Herbal Supplements
My favorite herbs during this time are:
- Chasteberry
- Dandelion
- Dong Quai
- Red raspberry
These are in PMS Soothe and testimonials on this product have been amazing.
Camille, a young client from Puerto Rico, says:
“I used to miss a week of school per month, and I was scheduled for surgery for endometriosis and a large ovarian cyst diagnosed by ultrasound. My mom brought me to Dr. Cabeca and in 3 months I couldn’t tell my period was coming. Ultrasound came back negative and I continue to do what she says which was really simple actually. I stopped dairy and diet sodas, and began PMS Soothe™. As a bonus, my skin is so much better, too.”
A Few Tips For You Guys!
- Keep your mouth shut!
- Be extra nice, helpful and supportive.
- Make a hot bath for us.
- Cook up an alkalizing bone broth and yummy meal.
- Serve us breakfast in bed (see an easy omelet recipe below).
- Take the kids out for a run. Wear yourselves out.
Your efforts will be appreciated, I promise, with love.
