The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Molasses
Posted by Paula (Ã…s, Akershus, Norway) on 01/29/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I suffer from dramatic mood changes, anger problems, weight gain and spots on my face with every period :(
I started drinking a glass of water with two teaspoons of ACV and one of molasses every morning and have been doing it for a month now. Not sure if it's related to it, but after months of being pretty regular, my mood changes came on day 14 on my cycle instead of right before my period. The spots on my face did not go away, and even got stronger right after my period!
I did not gain the traditional 2 kg but the cramps were maybe a bit more painful!
Does anyone know how long does it take to see the effects of drinking this mix? Should I be drinking it twice a day? Should I wait a little longer? My skin and hair are pretty dull too... I thought ACV was a miracle skin enhacer! :(
Any help will be appreciated!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Molasses
Posted by T (Maryland, Usa) on 01/30/2011
Hang in awhile longer with the ACV and molasses. I remember breaking out and such when I first used them; it did pass.
For the PMS, B6 may help (I'd take a good B-complex, plus some extra B6 at PMS time). 5-HTP has been effective for some, so you might want to look into that as well.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Molasses
Posted by Evian123 (London, Uk) on 07/27/2011
I've just started the ACV today, after having tried just about everything for PMDD. This past month was pretty bad with bad anxiety the whole week of my period. I have never suffered with such severe PMS. As I've gotten older it's progressively worsened. I am also taking vitex to help my progestrone levels, and it has helped, but I am finding that with vitex I feel sleepy a lot from day 14 onwards. The good news with vitex is that my cycle has finally resumed its normal 28 day cycle, my skin remains clear and my anxiety does lessen. My periods are much longer than ever before - sometimes lasting up to 8 or 9 days. In my younger years, I was always so regular and had some PMS, but not this bad at all.
These days I take a B complex, Calcium/Magenesium everyday as well. I really hope ACV added into the 'mix' will do away with all the craziness of that week. I hope to stick with one thing that will be 'the winner' and to keep things simple for myself. My diet is very good, and I exercise regularly too. I will keep you posted. How are you coming along?
Turmeric
Posted by Kathy (Las Vegas, Nv) on 09/19/2010
Just a few questions... Did you take all together, how many times a day and what amounts? Thank you!
Turmeric
Posted by Ee (New York, Ny) on 12/19/2010
★★★★★
Hi Kathy -
Yes, I had a morning tea of hot water, 1 heaping tsp of turmeric, 1 tbsp on black strap molasses or honey, 2 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Honey makes it more palatable than BSM, but the BSM has iron, magnesium, and calcium - all which are good for PMS and PCOS. I drank it twice a day, or sipped it throughout the day. I stopped for a few months and noticed that the symptoms returned - depression, PMS, etc, - so I just started back once a day. Hope that's helpful! Really, it's the only thing that normalized my hormones!
Turmeric
Posted by Marisol (California) on 09/27/2023
What is BSM?
Holy Basil
Posted by Lisa (Coto De Caza, Ca) on 10/12/2009
★★★★★
Holy Basil for Irritability: Since I started peri menopause, I noticed that I can get very grumpy and irritable. Taking 1 Holy Basil first thing in the morning helps a lot, just ask my husband and kids.
Chasteberry
Posted by P.B. (Winnipeg, MB) on 07/29/2009
★★★★★
PMS - hormonal moodiness/depression
I just wanted to write about the success I've had with chasteberry (sometimes called chastetree berry or vitex) for PMS moodiness (read "madness"). I take, I believe it is 80 mg, 3x per day. I begin it as soon as I start to feel the moodiness coming on and continue as long as needed; it seems to be work right away. Apparently it helps to regulate hormone levels. However it works, it is amazing - it's given me an extra two weeks per month of normality.
It's a bit harder to find than some other supplements but you can sometimes find it as an ingredient in PMS or menopause supplements if you can't find it alone.
I've also found that apple cider vinegar is fantastic for bloating/water retention!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by G (San Diego, Ca) on 01/21/2011
Now it is my turn to share my experience with ACV. Since the last update was so long ago, and I would like to share it with others. I have been using AVC for the last 2 months, and it has definetely helped to relief the PMS symptoms (server bloating in the tomach region, heavy menstrual) I can't say that they are nonexistence, but it is so much better than what I have been sufferring for the last several years. Thank you for all who had share thier wonderful experience, and helping me solve this nasty feeling as well, I can't wait to keep trying this for another few months, since 2 months is a short time.
Milk Products
Posted by Janis (Renton, Washington) on 11/22/2008
★★★★★
My daughter had suffered from horrible pms.When she was younger I watched her moods after foods that she consumed.When she had pms and consumed a milk product her mood went from irritable or angry to happy.So when you are suffering from pms try consuming a milk product like cheese, milk or ice cream and see if that helps your pms. It worked for my daughter and still does.
Milk Products
Posted by Andrea (Ontario, Canada) on 11/22/2008
★★★★★
Janis you are so right about this. A lack of Calcium in the body can be responsible for over 150 diseases. So many people think it is just for healthy bones and teeth but it is needed for so much more. eg. muscles need it to release their contractions. I know so many women that take calcium supplements or the husbands automatically run for milk products when the cycle approaches!
Milk Products
Posted by Janis (Renton, Washington) on 11/23/2008
Andrea, thanks for your reply. I was hoping to get the word out in case others didn't know of this. So thanks for confirming.
Milk Products
Posted by Melinda (Tucson, Arizona) on 01/24/2009
★★★★★
Yea-I started taking calcium pills for PMS some time ago, I usually start taking them a week before my period, they cut back on the overall PMS symptoms, as well as the pain from cramps, irritability, etc. when I do actually start. I notice I will sometimes "crave" cheese products and milk during this time as well, and I think it's just my bodies way of trying to get me to take in more calcium. This is the only time of the month I take it so as not to overdue it. The calcium in extra strength tums works like calcium pills too.
Magnesium
Posted by Patti (Ewing, NJ) on 09/06/2008
★★★★★
A long time ago I read about a natural cure for hormonal mood swings, (PMS symptoms) and I read that if you have the type of PMS where you are cranky it works to take a Calcium/Magnesium supplement but the Magnesium amount has to be more than Calcium. There's a popular supplement available that has twice the magnesum to calcium ratio. It works so well that even my husband makes sure I always have it on hand/I take it ten days before, 3 times a day. As I get older I've started taking Vitex, and for some reason the (awful tasting) liquid works better than the capsules for me, and that has made a huge difference. I will say that I am now looking into supplements as I head into perimenopause, I am feeling very unhappy a lot of days which is very unlike me. In doing a lot more research (from books) I have been reading great things about Black Cohosh and am about to start taking that. No synthetic drugs for me, just natural cures and I would love to hear how other women have handled the depression (mild, but that's enough) and lethargy that I really want to get some help with. Hope I was able to help someone else!
Magnesium
Posted by Evian123 (London, Uk) on 10/15/2011
I know this response is a few years ago, but was wondering if you have found something that is a definite winner on the perimenopause cure front. Did Black cohosh work well? Thanks in advance :)
Cabbage
Posted by Kim (Richmond, Va) on 07/19/2008
★★★★★
re: cabbage for PMS symptoms -- Each month when my breasts become sore I use cabbage leaves in my bra over night and the next morning the soreness is gone.
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Jonna (Los Angeles, CA) on 05/28/2008
★★★★★
I have been taking flax seed oil for my skin. However, one additional benefit I have noticed is that flax oil is very helpful during those hormonal fluctuations in my cycle (ie., PMS!). I take more or less depending on how I feel. I take up to 3 tablespoons as day starting a week before I get my period. It takes about an hour, but has an immediate calming effect. I would say the effect lasts about 8 hours before I need to take more. I have also noticed that on day 5 of my period, something shifts in my brain chemistry again (ie., emotional, easily triggered) and I up my flax seed oil dosage again. I am going to keep experimenting with the dosages and will let you all know. I am guessing this could be one of the best remedies to get through perimenopause and menopause. Any else had the same results as me?
Lycopodium Pillules
Posted by Anne (Southampton, England) on 03/22/2008
★★★★★
I used to have awful trouble with bloatedness. Immediately after food hit my stomach I would swell up like a balloon. I called a homeopathic company and they advised me to take lycopodium pillules. After a week of taking the recommended dosage my bloating troubles were all gone - I could eat almost anything with no excessive gas as a result! I didn't even have to keep taking them, after about three weeks I slowed down on dosage and then stopped, and the bloating problem didn't come back at all.
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Georgie (Manhatten) on 03/04/2008
★★★★★
After my last period ended, I decided to try flax seed oil (highest lignan count that you can buy) for PMS symptoms. At the very start of my cycle, I started to take 1 tablespoon of flax in cottage cheese once, then twice a day after my system got used to it. I found that my stools were loose if 1 tablespoon of flax in anything other than cottage cheese. A week later I ran out of whole milk cottage cheese and opted for low fat cottage cheese. Low fat and flax oil was harder to digest and my stools became loose again. Make sure you take flax oil with whole milk, organic cottage cheese if possible! At any rate (and the main point of this story), hardly any PMS symptoms appeared! Mood was much more even keeled throughout the month and no breast tenderness whatsoever. In January I had tried ACV and Lugol's iodine with some success, but the flax has been the best remedy so far for PMS.
Evening Primrose Oil
Posted by Karen (Atlanta, GA) on 02/17/2008
★★★★★
Evening Primrose cured my PMS! I suffered from severe PMS from age 25 until now (I'm 42). I would become depressed, anti-social, irritable, completely exhausted, bloated and basically miserable for 7 to 12 days per month! While I'm ususally a healthy eater, I would also binge on anything I could for several days before my period started. I read about Evening Primrose and had even tried it at some point, but I hadn't taken it at high enough doses. Now I'm taking 3000 mg per day about 10 days before my period and 1500 mg the rest of the month. I no longer have PMS. I am so happy and amazed! I didn't think that there would be anything to help me in this lifetime.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by saman (sharjah, UAE) on 01/05/2008
★★★★★
where to find BS molasses in sharjah? apple cider vineger for water retention and now i am free from bloating and also joint pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mallory (Salt Lake City, Ut) on 10/06/2011
Any health food store, likely the international ones for the expats.
Yoga, Warm Showers
Posted by Aaliyah (Richmond, Virginia) on 12/28/2007
★★★★★
Well, Ladies I tried doin soft exercises(YOGA) and taking warm showers.These helped with some of the cramping for my PMS. Also MOVE AROUND!!!! It really helps. Another way is to take a Ibprophen,or Tylonal before you go to bed and by the morning you will be up and ready to go.
Vitamin E
Posted by Sandy (In the sticks, Nevada) on 11/24/2007
★★★★★
Vitamin E has totally eliminated the breast pain I would get before my period, as well as the cramping I would get during my period. I take 400 IU once a day. The breast pain disappeared the first month I was taking this and the cramping disappeared the second month.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Juliet (Portland, Oregon) on 11/20/2007
★★★★★
I have been trying the ACV remedy for my insane bloating. I've been a lacto-ovo vegetarian since I was 6 and have always had problems with bloating. The ACV seems to be working well but I wanted to know how often I should be drinking it throughout the day
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Erica (Wellington, Colorado) on 11/16/2007
★★★★★
About a year ago I started to get sick all the time. I was always nauseas, throwing up, belching, and constipated. Sometimes it would be so hard for me to get up in the morning, and I was tired all day. And all of these symptoms seemed to worsen during my PMS, accompanied by depression. I was finally fed up with all of this, so I began looking for home remedies over the internet about five days ago. I ran into this website and in the last four days I've been taking the ACV remedy with baking soda 3 times a day, and it has made such an amazing difference. I can eat in the morning without feeling nauseas, I have been moving my bowels everyday, and I am higher in spirits. I will update if it makes a difference during PMS. I will recommend this remedy and this website to all of my family and friends. Thank you so much. God Bless,
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Selene (Valletta, Malta) on 01/13/2010
How much ACV and baking soda do u take?
Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackstrap Molasses, Natto
Posted by Sharon (USA) on 10/07/2007
Sorry about that! I shrank my fibroid tumors. I got so excited, that I forgot the malady! Thanks for reminding me!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackstrap Molasses, Natto
Posted by Dawnrivers (Barnwell, Sc, USA) on 12/21/2009
Sharon I can't find natural natto, is the pill form less potent?
