My periods sucked. So I fixed them.
Ever since my ulcerative colitis diagnosis six years ago, I constantly learn how diet, emotions, and lifestyle fit together as the key to healing chronic disease. Thankfully, I discovered healing resources like the GAPS diet. Following a healing diet allowed me freedom from toxic colitis medications so I can heal my gut and immune system. But there is a huge part of my healing journey that I have not discussed at all on my blog… and that is PMS.
A few months into my healing journey, I had brought my colitis symptoms under control. The good news was that my body was getting stronger each day… and the bad news was that my body was now in a place to resume regular menstruation, since my cycles had been few and far between during those years of severe colitis.
I immediately mourned the reappearance of my periods. Just when I had made some progress with my health, I was knocked out by a full-blown hormonal explosion each month. Debilitating cramps required that I rearrange my schedule to remain at home for the first two days of my period. Painful hormonal acne covered my face and back to such severity that I hated leaving my house. Splitting headaches kept me awake at night and impaired my ability to keep up with even simple tasks. Female hormone issues are no joke, and if you also struggle with PMS then I am sure you can relate.
I had learned how to treat my colitis. I knew I could – and must – cure my menstrual misery.
Once again, I delved into frantic research and volunteered myself as a guinea pig. Starting at the foundations, I examined how diet, digestion and blood sugar balance impact hormone balance. I paid particular attention to how certain foods work at a cellular level to either exacerbate or ameliorate PMS. With more research and self-experimentation, I learned the supplements, stress reduction techniques, and holistic solutions that bring effective PMS relief. My determination finally paid off, because I have now quit my PMS for good! Although I’ll get a couple of zits during that time of the month, I no longer have to rearrange my life because of crippling cramps, cystic acne, monstrous mood swings and headaches. My period is not something I need to dread… it is just there, a reminder of the innate, complex processes of my body.
Through this learning process, I realized something amazing: periods aren’t supposed to suck. Our wise, wonderful bodies know that. That’s why, when given the correct tools and building blocks, our hormones fall into equilibrium and PMS disappears.
And that is a wonderful thing.
What is Quit PMS?
Quit PMS is my new ebook where I share how you can balance your hormones naturally to end your menstrual misery. Here’s what I cover in the book:
- Estrogen Dominance: Perhaps you’ve heard of estrogen dominance before and perhaps you have not. Interestingly, this common hormonal issue underlies your PMS symptoms like cramps, bloating, acne, weight gain and moodiness. Learn the what, why and how of estrogen dominance.
- Macronutrients 101: Fats, carbs and proteins… these three simple foundations of life cause so much confusion and angst! Quit PMS demystifies macronutrients and explains how you should utilize them to bring hormonal balance.
- Dietary Principles for Happy Hormones: These seven dietary principles will drastically change your hormones – and your life – for good. Some of the topics we cover in detail include food sensitivities, fiber, hydration, and digestion.
- Good Period Foods (Foods to Emphasize): Food is medicine, and certain foods boast a bigger bang for their buck when it comes to hormone balancing. Get the scoop on the healing ingredients and learn how to incorporate them into your daily diet.
- Bad Period Foods (Foods to Minimize): Want sucky, miserable periods? Then chow down on these foods. Quit PMS isn’t about a super strict and restrictive diet, but it does encourage you to minimize foods that work at a cellular level to make a hot mess of hormones.
- Detox and Elimination: Detox and elimination are key to healthy hormones, so that’s why there is a whole chapter dedicated to safe, gentle and effective (albeit unusual) steps for healthy detox.
- Stress and Stress Reduction: Stress isn’t just the tension you feel while sitting in a traffic jam. We’ll address both physical stressors (like exercise) and emotional stress in this chapter, as well as proven techniques to reduce stress and heal hormones.
- Supplements: Popping a pill won’t magically correct your hormones, but these specific herbs and supplements can be a powerful tool in hormone balancing when used in conjunction with the lifestyle and dietary changes outline in Quit PMS.
- The Pill and Hormone Therapy: Do you have questions about bioidentical hormone therapy, progesterone creams and oral contraceptives? Find your answers in this chapter.
- Skin Solutions: This chapter is dedicated to a natural, homemade skincare regimen that offers acne-busting, glowing results. Forget what you knew about cleansing, toning, moisturizing and exfoliating and read this chapter.
- Better Period Products: Learn why tampons aren’t the best option and get the low-down on healthier, safer methods for catching the flow. Plus get all-natural alternatives for cramp pain relief!
Quit PMS also contains 35 tantilizing, hormone-balancing recipes! Enjoy nourishing savory dishes like Chicken Liver and Onion Paté, Buttery Herb Biscuits, and Curry Sweet potato Mash. Satisfy your sweet tooth with treats like Salted Cinnamon Ice Cream, Rooibos Latte and Vanilla Coconut Cream. And, like all recipes on Empowered Sustenance, they are free of grains and nuts.
You’ll get the bonus e-booklet Superfoods To Avoid with your purchase of Quit PMS. These so-called superfoods may be sabotaging your health and hormones… so know what they are and why you need to avoid them.
Finally, I know you will be happy with your purchase of Quit PMS, and that’s why I’m offering a 30 day, money back guarantee. If you aren’t pleased with the book, send me an email at EmpoweredSustenance[at]gmail[dot]com. Also, if you have any questions regarding the book, send me an email anytime.
Are you ready to end your menstrual misery?
Then click here to visit the sales page and purchase Quit PMS. It’s the first step toward having a better relationship with your period!
Do you struggle with PMS? Have painful periods been a big part of your life?
I am so excited for this book! My hormones began to fly out of control this winter shortly before I started GAPS, and although natural skincare has helped my acne, my hormones haven’t seen much improvement yet. Until now, hopefully!
I think this book will be right up your alley and I hope you will enjoy it!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us and for writing this book. I just purchased it and cannot wait to read/implement it. You’re such and encouragement. I love how helpful you are and all that you share. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for the kind words! I am so glad this book is going to be helpful to you!
I just bought your book, Lauren, and am very excitedly reading it. I’ve been on the GAPS diet for 2 years with my family, but have gotten shocking headaches the last few periods. I am hoping your book will fill in the gaps for me to work out what I need to do to help myself! 🙂
PS I’m not sure how/when we are meant to access your freebie book, but I didn’t receive a link for it yet.
I think this is going to “fill in the gaps” for you and I hope your PMS disappears quickly! And the freebie book is in the same PDF document as the main book, just scroll down to the end to see it 🙂
Sounds like a great e-book, will definitely check it out. My daughters just started getting their menstrual cycles and PMS is a common phrase around here.
Lauren, I’m so glad you didn’t end your entry with mourning the reappearance of your periods! Some people don’t have any problem with their monthly cycle, and they still mourn the appearance – every month! I realize they seem inconvenient, and, as you chronicle, can be downright debillitating for some (and my heart goes out to those women); however, another aspect of this is that our monthly cycles are proof of our God-given gift of fertility. They are a powerful sign of our femininity, and the privilege of having a womb in which to carry life!
You’re right: our bodies are designed in an amazing, wonderful way, and periods shouldn’t “suck”. Not either because we see them as inconvenient, or because they are debillitating. I appreciated how you tackled this!
Thanks for letting me comment. All the best! ~Nancy.
I love your point! I think periods have been demonized in our society because we have widespread nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances which make them unpleasant. But periods are a visible sign of the invisible complexities of our amazing bodies.
Hi Lauren
I don’t have any problem with my monthly cycle. My problem is a little over a year ago my periods stated to be irregular! My doc said I’m in early menopause (I’m 32) and should start the pill to prevent osteoporosis! This month I’m off the pill to see if i get my periods back!
My question is did your book help me to make my cycle every month or its only help for PMS?
While book is targeted at PMS, the whole point of the book is balancing female hormones. Since early menopause is a hormonal issue, the book will absolutely help you balance your hormones. Plus it has very important information about The Pill which would be important for you to read before you follow your doctor’s advice.
Thanks for the quick reply! Gone get your book!
I do not have awful PMS in the traditional sense of mood swings, but I have had my progesterone come back low from an adrenal stress index. I have been taking natural progesterone drops and progestaid for the past three months. Would your book be useful in my case of wanting to balance my hormones, but not having awful symptoms?
Just saw your previous post. I see that it is just generally focused on hormone balance.
Thanks!
we bought your book a few days ago and we have really been enjoying it!! we have a lot of the same ideas and views on life 😉 thank you
Bought this ebook a few nights ago and I finished already. So very informative and you offer plenty of great tips. I’ve started eating a carrot-a-day and I already feel better (how funny that a simple dietary addition can make such a change). What I have been recommended to do as well is to take any vitamin supplements in the morning, and any mineral supplements at night. This has helped make any supplements I take work more effectively I found. In addition to your recommended Maca powder and chaste berry, I also take fermented cod liver oil/butter oil and L-glutamine.
Today, for many women’s menstruation still is a misery due to the pain and cramps they suffer during their periods. I think this book will be worth for them as it not only focuses on curing from the menstrual pains, but also the diet which has to be followed in order to maintain your personal hygiene.