Why Hormone Imbalance?

Monthly periods start at puberty and continue until menopause - which is between the ages of 45 and 55. The monthly cycle often comes with various uncomfortable symptoms. Many women take these for granted; most of these can be relieved - using natural methods. It is a woman's right to have normal, pain free, regular periods.

Why, Exactly, Is There Hormonal Imbalance?

This can happen for a variety of reasons, and when it does it often brings with it various health symptoms.

Reasons for the imbalance can include: genetic factors, long term stress, poor diet or not enough exercise; following childbirth or abortion, or following illness - both of which may have been debilitating.

Yes - Herbs Do Often Work

Many women have not considered using herbs - because they are not sure they work. The truth is, they often do work; not every herbs will work 100% of the time and you will need to find what works for you. But try a few tried and tested herbs or combinations of herbs and you have a great chance of finding something safe which helps you. Combine this with lifestyle improvements and you have even more chance of success.

SYMPTOMS OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE

Hormonal symptoms connected to the monthly cycle:

• Heavy periods
• Light periods, or absence of periods
• Irregular periods
• Difficulty conceiving
• Painful periods
• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal swelling or 'bloating'
• Fatigue - especially at period time or just after
• Vaginal discharge
• Disturbance of sleep pattern
• Depression
• Moodiness
• Irritability, edginess
• Cystitis

Hormone Imbalance, Menstrual Symptoms And Low Blood Sugar

Menstrual symptoms are very like those relating to blood sugar imbalance - low blood sugar. For example, variable mood can accompany low blood sugar - and may not necessarily accompany hormone imbalance. Avoid the temptation to consume lots of sugary food to counteract this because this raises blood sugar levels which can make you feel even less well.  The guide is: do the symptoms occur just before, during or after the period or at mid cycle? If so - and if this happens for several months in a row, then hormone imbalance is involved.

Can Anything Be Done About Hormone Imbalance and Periods?

Fortunately there are various things which can be done to help balance up the hormones and deal with many symptoms of the monthly cycle by using herbs and similar methods. Herbs you can use for menstrual symptoms include Agnus Castus, Dong Quai, St John's Wort and Red Sage.

You can create this programme yourself by using the ideas in this article as a starting point. You can also find ready-made programmes which you can buy off the shelf. This can be a better idea.

If possible it is better to involve experienced practitioners in complementary medicine for advice and remedial treatment. This can be expensive - but is often worth it.

Any programme you use should include diet, exercise, relaxation and herbal or homoeopathic remedies. Acupuncture can also be very beneficial at this time. A programme of this type can be a wonderful benefit when you want to treat the monthly cycle and can give you great relief from your symptoms.

Herbs, homoeopathy and acupuncture can certainly help hormonal imbalance, and so help many of these symptoms. Both for periods in general and for menopause in particular many women think first of using herbs. Herbs such as agnus castus and dong quai have a long history of helping women. However, these will work best as part of a holistic approach to healthcare - 'your programme'.

Natural Healthcare For Menstrual Symptoms

When hormone imbalance affects your monthly cycle and various symptoms start to affect you, use natural methods to help you manage it. These methods have helped very many women - and they can work for you too.