PMS constipation – is it really true that PMS and constipation are both related to each other? Some experts say yes… others say no.
What we do know is that constipation is quite common during a woman’s period, and a lot of women do have PMS. Thus, many women put it together that there really is something called PMS constipation.
Is constipation a sign of PMS? No, it could occur at any time of the month. It can also last longer than your period, which is an indication that it’s not 100% related to PMS and your cycle.
Causes of PMS Constipation
What causes constipation during PMS? It actually could be any of these things:
- Not enough fiber in the diet
The simple food remedy for this cause of constipation is to add high fiber foods to your diet and substitute them for the low fiber foods. Some of the best high fiber foods are lentils, black beans, red beans, any type of beans, pears and apples.
- Not enough water consumed during the day
The answer here is to start your day off by drinking a quart of water. It’s one of the easiest health strategies to start and stick to during the rest of your life. Drinking a quart of water will reset the body’s thirst mechanism for the day.
- Thyroid inadequacy
If you have a low-functioning thyroid, then your bowels will be sluggish. Remember that one of the things that causes a low thyroid is birth control pills. This doesn’t mean you should necessarily go off the birth control pills, but do spend some time considering the alternatives. Thyroid issues don’t usually go away on their own and how attractive is taking thyroid medication for the rest of your life?
- Fluctuating hormone levels
Estrogen and progesterone levels cycle during your period and the rest of the month. Some of these changes can affect the GI tract; however, what you’re eating in your diet can override hormonal influences.
The Rough Part About Constipation
Dr. John Christopher, founder of the School of Natural Healing in Springville, Utah, the grand daddy of herbalists used to always say that constipation is no picnic. It’s usually accompanied with gas and nausea. And it brings out the person’s worst side. However, eliminate the constipation and the meanest of little kids (or adults) will become meek and fun-loving.
How to Relieve PMS Constipation
Here are some PMS constipation remedies:
1. Make yourself a cup of senna/peppermint tea. The dosage of the herbs is one teaspoon of each of them in a cup of boiling hot water.
2. Do a colon cleanse. There are colon cleanse formulas on the market that usually include herbs such as senna, peppermint, cascara sagrada, fennel, psyllium, and Oregon graperoot.
3. Try prune juice.
Drinking a large 8-12 ounce portion size of prune juice can blast away the constipation, working about the same as Roto-rooter does. However, for some people, this may not be the answer, as the blast can be pretty explosive.
4. Schedule a colonic hydrotherapy session.
With all the old waste matter in your intestines, you’ll need to move them out as quickly as possible. A home enema or better yet a colonic hydrotherapy session will do exactly that. Don’t feel bad about having to go to this length – it happens to all of us at one time or another.
5. Take your period vitamin regularly.
Your period vitamin will have vitamins and minerals in it that support your colon function. For example, it will contain extra magnesium, a mineral crucial for the colon.
6. Take 300-500 mg magnesium daily.
Magnesium moves the bowels and does it very well.
7. Eat more high fiber foods.
8. Drink more water.
All these will work for constipation relief but you need to actually do them. Don’t just select one of them to focus on; combining them brings constipation relief a lot faster.
You can get constipation relief, but think beyond the relief that you need right now; otherwise, you will be right back where you are now next month at this time. Focus on making permanent lifestyle changes such as taking your period vitamin, eating high fiber foods, drinking water, and drinking an occasional cup of tea that will move the bowels.
