An OB/GYN tells us all we need to know about our monthly visit from Aunt Flo.
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Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz: Periods ... most of us have
them, but how much do we really know about them? Today, I appear on
"The Tyra Banks Show" to
discuss this very topic.
Here are some things every woman should know about
"that time of
the month."
• Almost one third of all women experience
"distressing-to-disabling" symptoms prior to the onset of
their menses each month.
• PMS and menstruation
are NOT diseases! But the extreme symptoms "represent
imbalances in a normal and natural hormonal tide, which, when ignored, lead to
greater imbalances," according to Dr. David Simon of the
Chopra Center.
Here are some tips to make menstruation and PMS more tolerable, and
some opportunities to rebalance:
• Stay hydrated: Coconut water is an excellent source of
electrolytes (better and lower calorie than sports drinks!). Of
course, water will do, too.
• Castor oil hot packs: Soak a cloth you don't care about in
three tablespoons of castor oil and put it directly on your belly.
Cover that with an old-fashioned hot water bottle or heating pad to
reduce cramping. Be sure to sit or recline on an old towel or sheet
to eliminate the risk of staining or soaking the bed or couch you
lounge on.
• If you know your cycle really well, take a
"prophylactic" dose of nsaids (nonsteroidal,
anti-inflammatory drugs found in ibuprofen, etc.) just prior to
onset of menses to reduce cramps and discomfort.
• Make a tea of coriander, fennel, and cumin seeds to help with
bloating and swelling. Other natural diuretics include parsley,
cilantro, and lemongrass! Yum!
• Take a deep breath of high-quality rose, lavender, or any other flower essential oil you like
to cool and calm your irritable brain -- it may diminish the risk
of emotional blow-out at the time of
PMS and, if you wear it, the bonus is that people who
smell (and deal with) you may respond more charitably to your mood
swings.
• Flax seeds have an anti-inflammatory effect when used long-term
and may diminish cramps if used on a regular basis. They also are
an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber and promote bowel health.
• Moderate aerobic exercise lifts the mood and gets the blood flowing. This
may reduce cramps, bloating, and other unpleasant menstrual
symptoms. Try a moderately paced 20- to 30-minute walk, even if you
feel like slumming it on your couch with a bag of potato
chips!
• Tired? Don't fight it! Get plenty of rest. Pushing yourself
during your menses or difficult PMS days really does nothing for
you -- that is, after you return from that short walk.
• Extremely heavy bleeding requiring tampon or pad changes (fully
drenched) more than two per hour for more than two hours, shortness
of breath, dizziness, or other serious symptoms and recurrent PMS
symptoms that are unmanageable or disruptive to your ability to
perform daily activities on a monthly basis -- causing you to
routinely miss work, school, etc. -- require immediate medical
attention.
Read more: http://www.momlogic.com/2009/09/go_with_the_flow.php#ixzz0Qe28TnMJ
Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz completed her undergraduate education at Wesleyan University and post-baccalaureate pre-med studies at Mills College. She earned her medical degree from the USC School of Medicine and has been in private practice for 8 1/2 years. She lives in Los Angeles and is the mother of two.
