Ever feel that PMS moodiness coming down on you?

It’s like a dark cloud that descends over you from out of nowhere. One minute everything is fine. And the next minute you’re weeping over nothing or irritated at the smallest things.

And if you haven’t been tracking your period (or not paying attention to your tracker) you might think that something is seriously wrong with you.

Mood swings may be common before and during your periods, but they don’t have to be your “normal” state. Let’s talk about why mood swings happen and what you can do naturally to relieve them.

What Causes Mood Swings?

Hormones are specialized chemicals that control a variety of functions in the body, including your menstrual cycle. Your hormones shift through each phase of your cycle.

Estrogen rises in the first half of your cycle, peaks at ovulation, and then drops sharply during the start of the luteal phase of your cycle while progesterone levels stay elevated to support fertilization.

The fluctuation of hormones in your cycle can sometimes shift the way you feel physically, emotionally and mentally. While your estrogen and progesterone levels shift, the serotonin in your brain may also change as you get closer to your period. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your mood, sleep cycle, and appetite. Low levels of serotonin are linked to feelings of sadness and irritability. The decrease of this mood-shifting hormone may be why you feel irritable or blue right before you start your period.

But you don’t have to just live with the wild mood swings. Instead, you can support your hormones with natural herbs like Chaste Tree Berry.

What is Chaste Tree Berry?

Chaste tree — which is also known as Vitex agnus castus — is a shrub that grows in the valleys and foothills of the Mediterranean and Central Asia.

It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to support gynecological issues. Monks in the Middle Ages allegedly used it to decrease sexual desire — which may be where it got its name.

Chaste Tree has light violet colored flowers that bloom and produce a dark brown or black fruit that looks like a peppercorn. The plant’s berry is what is used in Chaste Tree Berry formulas.

Why is Chaste Tree Berry Good for Moods?

Chaste Tree Berry has many health supportive properties — in particular, it is an anti-inflammatory that helps balance hormones. So when estrogen and progesterone go through their rise and fall, Chaste Tree Berry can help even out the swings.

A review of several studies have found that chaste tree berry extract can reduce PMS symptoms such as mood swings, breast pain, and headaches. Research on chaste tree berry extract also shows that it can provide relief from night sweats, hot flashes and mood swings in perimenopause or menopause.

We include chaste tree berry extract in Perfect Period because of these mood supportive reasons.

What Else Can You Do Holistically to Support Moods?

You can make strategic lifestyle changes that will give you lighter moods and reduce your stress levels. Some other factors that can influence your moods besides shifting hormones include:

Sleep

A lack of sleep can affect your cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and increase your ghrelin (the hunger hormone), which can make you hangry and stressed.

You can get better sleep when you create a nighttime wind-down ritual — shutting down electronics at least an hour before bed, getting into bed at an earlier time, and sleeping in a cool, dark room. You can also start your day on the right foot by thinking of three gratitudes before your head comes off your pillow and then drinking a full glass of water that you left on your nightstand the night before.

Blood Sugar

You might feel extra anxious or blue if you skip breakfast or other meals, don’t eat enough, or rely on caffeine and sugar to keep going.

Eat regular, balanced meals that give you the right macronutrients to support healthy hormones — e.g., lean sources of protein, healthy carbs like whole grains, antioxidant rich vegetables and fruit, and healthy fats.

Healthy Movement

Having a regular routine of exercise will lift your moods. If you’re not used to exercising, you can start a healthy movement routine by adding in simple stretches during your day, taking a fun dance break occasionally, or adding in daily walks outside. Even a brisk 15 or 20 minute walk can do a world of difference for supporting healthy mood balance — along with better cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health.

Add Perfect Period to Support Your Moods

Perfect Period includes Chaste Tree Berry extract in our proprietary herbal blend. Each of our herbs has been handpicked for its ability to support easier, problem-free periods.

The best way to feel the difference is to start taking it on a daily basis. Because it is a natural, herbal blend, it will take your hormones a while to adjust with the added support. We recommend taking it for at least 60 days to see all the benefits that Perfect Period can offer.

You can order Perfect Period right here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28237870/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6887765/