Many women suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This usually occurs approximately a week or two before the menstrual cycle and ends during the first few days of the menstrual cycle. Some of the symptoms of PMS include: breast swelling, breast tenderness, trouble falling asleep, headache, irritability, anger, appetite changes, cramps, depressed mood, abdominal bloating, and upset stomach. Although not many women experience all of these symptoms at once, many women experience some form of PMS. So what are some natural remedies that can ease our aches during this time of the month?

One natural remedy which has been said to reduce PMS symptoms is calcium. Studies have shown that calcium consumption can reduce the severity of numerous premenstrual problems. One study has shown that women with the greatest intake of calcium from food sources had the least PMS side effects. Another way to relieve the pre-menstrual cramps is to avoid foods rich in salt and sugar. Foods rich in these two compounds promote additional bloating and swelling of the body. By removing these two items from our diet, the swelling and bloating of the hands, feet and stomach will subside greatly.

And a third way to alleviate the effects of premenstrual syndrome is to reduce caffeine intake. Caffeine raises our awareness and increases our irritability. This particular refreshment can aggravate anxiety, ignite depression and increase breast tenderness. So if you are one of those people who is easily irritable prior to the menstrual cycle, try to avoid drinks that are rich in caffeine. These are just a few ways that you can help yourself in relieving PMS. There are of course over the counter medication that can help lessen the symptoms; however, for those people who believe in at home remedies, these are just a few natural ideas worth trying.