What really works for PMT

Average rating:

Around 90% of women suffer from pre-menstrual tension (also known as pre-menstrual syndrome/PMS) but you don't have to go through it because we've found out what really works for PMT

According to a recent study more than half of us feel totally useless and unwell in the run up to our periods and 42% said that they deliberately started a fight or argument during PMT because they felt out of control.

Aside from these extreme symptoms most of us experience bloating, cramps, backache and breast tenderness, as well as psychological symptoms such as depression, mood swings, anger and tearfulness. So, what do you do about this bundle of joy? We spoke to the National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome for advice and one of the UK's leading experts on PMT, Jonathon Wellbeck-Pure, a naturopath, homeopath and nutritionist.

Bloating and water retention

Some women can put on up to 5lbs just before their period and this is usually just water but the best remedy for this is actually drinking more water because this helps your body to flush out the excess water and toxins.

Here's your action plan:

Drink more water - 8 glasses a day is ideal
Eat more high-fibre foods, such as wholegrain bread and pasta and brown rice
Try a herbal tea such as nettle or fennel as these are known to help with water retention

Spots and dry skin

Isn't it annoying that even as an adult you can get acne? But adult acne is now quite common, especially just before or during your period. This is because changes in your hormones affect your skin and hair. Some women get spots, especially around the mouth and chin, some get dry patches of dry skin.

Here's your action plan:

The solution for both is the same, Jonathon recommends evening primrose oil capsules or blackcurrant seed oil capsules, but you need to take the recommended dose for 2 - 3 months before you see any difference. The reason these supplements can help is because they are Gamma Linolenic Acids (GLA), which are essential fatty acids that can help to balance hormones.

By Louise O'Connell