REPLAY: PMS to Menopause Connections

Episode Overview: Breaking Down Premenstrual Syndrome

In this episode, Dr. Chitra (Ayurveda specialist) and Clarissa (Chinese Medicine practitioner) tackle the complex topic of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), exploring why this condition has become increasingly prevalent in modern times.

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Art and Heart of Menopause: Understanding PMS Through Traditional Medicine

PMS affects potentially more than 50% of menstruating women, representing a significant portion of their monthly experience - sometimes up to half the month when combined with menstruation. They discuss how environmental factors, including microplastics, processed foods, hormonal disruptions from xenoestrogens, and chronic stress from modern lifestyle demands, contribute to the severity of contemporary PMS symptoms.

The conversation emphasizes that while Western medicine labels PMS as a "syndrome" (indicating unknown causes), both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine traditions offer clear frameworks for understanding and addressing the root causes of menstrual imbalances.

"The biggest takeaway is to bring discussions about PMS to the forefront. Not from necessarily a complaint place, but from an honoring place."

Traditional Medicine Solutions: Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine Approaches

We go into practical solutions from both medical traditions, focusing on addressing stagnation and deficiency patterns that underlie PMS symptoms. From the Chinese medicine perspective, PMS involves blood and chi stagnation combined with spleen deficiency, leading to symptoms like bloating, fatigue, breast tenderness, and emotional volatility.

Ayurvedic medicine views PMS through the lens of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), with treatments tailored to individual constitution and specific symptom patterns. Both Clarissa and Chitra emphasize the sacred nature of menstruation, explaining how menstrual blood serves as emotional and physical detoxification.

Key therapeutic approaches include castor oil packs for warming and circulation, specific acupressure points for emotional release and pain relief, warming foods and soups instead of cold/raw foods, and gentle movement practices that support downward energy flow rather than inversions or intense exercise during menstruation.

Lifestyle Integration and Long-term Wellness Strategy

The discussion concludes with practical lifestyle modifications that women can implement immediately, emphasizing the connection between PMS management and smoother perimenopause transitions.

We recommend establishing consistent daily routines (dinacharya in Ayurveda) that include proper elimination, mindful eating with all six tastes, and moon cycle awareness practices. The importance of emotional expression and release during menstruation, viewing this time as sacred rather than inconvenient is stressed. Environmental toxin reduction, particularly avoiding synthetic feminine products and microplastics, plays a crucial role in hormonal balance.

The episode encourages women to track their symptoms and responses to treatments, building body awareness and self-sufficiency rather than delegating health decisions to others.

We must emphasize that while individual approaches vary based on constitution, the fundamental principles of supporting flow, reducing stagnation, and honoring the body's natural rhythms apply universally to all women seeking PMS relief.

To help understand your Ayurvedic Constitution Chitra offer’s a Women’s Doṣha Quiz. Which focuses on which doṣha is in need of support right now. It comes with a 15 min voice recording helping you focus your efforts in reducing PMS or perimenopausal symptoms. More information can be found here:

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