What PMS type are you?

Pre-menstrual symptoms including cravings, weight gain, mood swings, anxiety or depression provide a window into your health, and the chance to support your hormonal balance. Expert nutritionist Dora Walsh talks PMS and nutrition tips to help relieve symptoms of your period.

You may also enjoy reading 'New customer survey: The surprising life impacts of PMS'.

What is PMS (premenstrual syndrome)?

About 75% of women experience PMS at some time before menopause. PMS includes a group of physical, psychological and emotional symptoms that many women experience up to two weeks prior to their menstrual period. The symptoms disappear soon after the start of menstrual bleeding. Learn more about the 'Common symptoms of PMS' or signs of a healthy period.

If a woman has symptoms that don’t stop shortly after her period starts, it may be a sign of other conditions, such as depression. You may be interested in reading the causes, common symptoms and best treatments for endometriosis.

Which PMS type are you?

Dr. Guy Abraham, M.D., a research gynaecologist and endocrinologist, developed a system of 4 categories for the different types of symptoms of PMS, suggesting that each category is caused by its own hormonal imbalance (1).

Some women find GE Abraham’s categories make sense for them, while others may suffer their own unique and group of symptoms from each of the 4 groups, with varying levels and regularity.

PMS-A: Anxiety

This is the most common type of PMS with symptoms including mood swings, irritability, anxiety and tension. The suggested cause is an imbalance of oestrogen (too high) and progesterone (too low).

Consume Vitamin B6 rich foods such as sunflower seeds, wheatgerm, oats and bananas to support progesterone levels. The herb Agnus Castus Extract (Chaste Berry) has also traditionally been used for PMS and helping raise progesterone levels.

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PMS-C: Cravings

Symptoms include cravings for sweets, an insatiable appetite, fatigue and headaches. The suggested cause of PMS-C is high levels of insulin during the first half of your cycle and problems with glucose tolerance (blood sugar balance).

You can help balance your blood sugar with good protein sources such as tempeh, tofu, and lean meat (if you're not plant-based or vegan). Add healthy fats like avocado, as well as complex carbohydrates like whole oats or whole wheat. Avoid refined carbohydrates, sweets and confectionary.

Discover the best sources of protein on a plant-based diet.

PMS-H: Hyper-hydration (water retention swelling)

Symptoms include weight gain, water retention swelling, and breast tenderness.

This is known as hyper-hydration and it’s less than pleasant when your clothes are too tight and your breasts feel tender. The suggested cause is too much aldosterone from the adrenal gland which acts on the kidneys to regulate water balance.

If you're PMS-H, watch your sodium intake and try to consumer diuretic foods like celery, cucumber and parsley which can help your body get rid of water retention.

You may also like to read: Nutrition for PMS symptoms

PMS-D: Depression

Ever feel like you’re crying your eyes out for no reason? PMS-D comes with symptoms like depression, crying and confusion, with the suggested cause being low oestrogen, too much progesterone and low serotonin (the feel-good hormone).

If you're PMS-D, try to eat tryptophan rich foods because this amino acid is involved in the formation the feel-good hormone serotonin. Tryptophan rich foods include almonds, avocado and soy milk which is commonly regarded as the best plant-based milk.

PMDD: Extreme PMS symptoms

Extreme PMS symptoms are classified as PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) where symptoms can affect daily life and make it hard to maintain relationships (2).

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Hormone balancing tips for PMS

Balance your blood sugar

Balancing your blood sugar levels through your period is important. Eat a balance of complex carbohydrates such as wholegrains, protein such as tofu or tempeh, good fats including avocado and olives. Avoid refined sugar. Also consider taking GlucoBalance^®, a plant-based supplement to manage blood sugar levels, protecting against the highs and lows of blood sugar.

Consume healthy fats

One small handful raw nuts and seeds each day provides a great source of healthy fats.

Support your liver health

Add cruciferous vegetables to your diet including broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts to support your liver health and natural purification of your liver.

Avoid xenoestrogens in your diet and lifestyle

Xenoestrogens are hormone disrupting chemicals found in plastic, skin care products, building supplies and pesticides.

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Always check the label of your body care and beauty products to make sure they don't include common xenoestrogens including 4-MBC (sunscreen lotions), parabens including methylparaben, ehtylparaben, propylparaben commonly used as a preservative in skincare products, and benzophenone, often used in sunscreen lotions.