The female body is equipped with a powerful detoxification system built right into the menstrual cycle. According to Ayurveda, the blood is purified and waste matter is released through the menstrual flow each month. The health and ease of the menses is considered a reflection of the woman’s overall health. When the cycle is not so easeful, it can be a sign of deeper trouble brewing.

Premenstrual Syndrome is a disruptive set of symptoms unique to each person occurring in the week or two before the menstrual flow begins. Which symptoms a person experiences depends on which of the 3 doshas (Vāta, Pitta or Kapha) are elevated or disturbed, as well as the quantity and location of accumulated waste or toxins (āma) that are present in the body. This is why there can be such variation in PMS symptoms from person to person, and even in the same person from month to month.

Each dosha creates a particular style or flavor of PMS. Pitta-style PMS includes sharp uterine/abdominal cramps, headaches, acne, nausea, sensitivity to light or heat, tender/painful breasts, irritability, anger, and loose stool or diarrhea. Vāta-style PMS features abdominal cramps that come and go or move location, bloating, gas, low back pain, anxiety, insomnia, and constipation. Kapha-style PMS includes dull cramps, emotional sensitivity, swollen breasts, weight gain, water retention, excess sleep, depression and fatigue. Of course, many folks have a combination of doshas involved.

Many factors can contribute to the development of PMS. An imbalance of any dosha can lead to PMS symptoms, but certain factors are known to exacerbate PMS: excessive physical exertion or overworking during menses, a lack of regular movement/exercise, insufficient sleep, persistent emotional stress or pressure, and a history of trauma or abuse are significant contributors. Food-related factors also play a huge role, such as eating excess heavy, oily or processed foods; eating excess inflammatory ingredients like sugar, alcohol or caffeine; and interrupting digestion by eating on the go, when stressed, or in a hurry.

Interestingly, despite the varied nature of these contributing factors, we could sum up the impact of most of these factors in one statement: they create blockages in the bodily channels either from undigested waste, inflammation, or constriction of tissue. When channels are blocked, the function of the affected tissues is compromised and pain or discomfort results. 

The presence of blockage in many chronic PMS sufferers is one reason why an Ayurvedic cleanse or detoxification protocol can make such a huge positive impact in such a short time. Through a protocol of easy-to-digest anti-inflammatory foods and herbal detoxification or elimination support, blockages can be gently removed in both the subtle and gross channels. The backlog of waste material can be drawn out and eliminated, and inflammation and constriction are released, restoring circulation and proper function.

In addition, a strong emphasis is placed on physical and mental rest in an Ayurvedic cleanse. Rest is the real miracle medicine. When resting, the body can re-dedicate the energy it would have spent running around, devoting it to the task of detoxifying and clearing waste. When physically relaxed, chronically tense tissues in the pelvis and abdomen can soften and dilate, relieving pain and allowing circulation and waste removal.

If PMS has been a challenge for you, simple steps can make a tremendous impact. Consider joining a structured Ayurvedic cleanse such as the upcoming Autumn Digestive Reset to give your system targeted support in a relatively brief window. Again and again, I have seen that this protocol clears up so many symptoms, including disruptive PMS. As one past participant reported several weeks after her last Reset, “my period just started and my cramps were not nearly as painful as they have been in the past!” 

Other steps you can take include scheduling clear times for rest and relaxation in the week before your cycle. Plan for tension-reducing practices like restorative yoga, yoga nidra, meditation and regular gentle breathing. Eat simple, easy-to-digest foods. Slow down and reduce pressure on yourself before your cycle. 

The body knows how to restore order and clear the conditions that lead to PMS. It just may need a little help through changes in our foods, our habits and our rest.