Archive for December, 2007
December 30, 2007 at 10:18 am
· Filed under PMS, emotional distress, premenstrual phase, shame
Source: Alexandra Pope
Tester: Fran Montague
Test Date/s: October 2005
Problem: Feeling that PMS is completely negative; something to be embarrassed about and try to cover up
Solution: During her workshop, Alexandra Pope talked about how societal opinions towards menstruation today are equivalent to the feelings towards homosexuality in the 1950s. “In fifty years, will people look back in amazement that women were treated in this way, that menstruation was regarded with disdain … and that women themselves were as guilty as others of covering up/rejecting who they really are.” We discussed how many women who feel negatively about their periods try to control or suppress their emotional and physical monthly changes, and experience pre-menstrual tension as a result.
Trial: From this point on I had a new perspective on my cycle and PMS to explore. Could it be that my experience of PMS was a real part of who I was, and that I shouldn’t try to ignore it or cover it up? Could it be that there wasn’t a malfunction in my body? Could there be anything positive happening during the second half of my cycle?
Result: I started to feel much more caring towards my body and to criticize it less. I am convinced that this shift in attitude and thought processes has contributed to easing the premenstrual negative feelings. One school of thought here is that trying to control your monthly emotional or physical monthly changes can actually worsen premenstrual tension.
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December 29, 2007 at 12:12 pm
· Filed under emotions, feminine cycle, fertility cycle, healthy cycle, menstrual cycle, ovulation, premenstrual phase
Source: Alexandra Pope
Tester: Fran Montague
Test Date/s: ongoing from 2005
Problem: Difficulty recognising and anticipating phases of one’s own cycle.
Solution: Chart your cycle and your feelings at different times of the month.
Trial: I mark up my diary with the days of my cycle. I mark up my pre-menstrual time with the letters P.L.A.Y. (Please Look After Yourself) and on the days of my period I draw a star. Day 1 of the monthly cycle is the first day of your period. For me, around day 12-13 is the time when ovulation occurs (mid cycle). The first half of the cycle is the postitive, action orientated, “out there” phase, whilst from around day 16-17 I typically enter a more inward focused state, which leads to my pre-menstrual phase.
Result: How thankful I am to myself (and Alexandra for the tip) that on the days when I am pre-menstrual, typically days 23-28, I have consciously not made an arrangement that relies on me being “out there”. Whilst one cannot control some things such as, for example, a meeting or a deadline that is fixed, it’s a blessing to know that on the days when I am most likely to feel extra tired, a bit vulnerable and sensitive, I haven’t arranged to do anything after work. As a result, my practical life feels much more intune with my body and who I am as a person (rather than as a ‘doing’ machine), and I feel more centred for knowing where I am in my cycle. Emotions and feelings can be checked against where I am in my cycle. One other example of where this helps is during days 10-14 (around my ovulation time) when I typically feel so energised, positive and “out there”. This is great stage and one I enjoy so much. But it’s also often the time in the month when I feel like I am invinsible: I can do anything! Here is when I am happy to say yes to suggestions which involve me “doing” new things. Whilst this is great, I also now take a breath before committing to new things to ask myself whether the new commitment I am about to make is really what I want to do, or is my “ovulatory invinsible mind” getting over excited! I recognise that the cyclical nature of me (of a woman) means that I will, in a week or so, need some quiet time, need to slowdown and reflect on the past month. I pause therefore before committing to something ‘new’ (which is optional!) which has either a deadline or a social aspect to it during days 23-28. Finally, the P.L.A.Y. days are a call/reminder to myself that typically the immune system is a little low during this time. If I can take some care to eat well, lots of fresh raw food, little alcohol, little sugar, sleeping more, etc. then I am less likely to pick up a cold, feeling unwell or come down with something.
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December 29, 2007 at 7:32 am
· Filed under emotional distress, emotions, premenstrual phase
Source: Fran Montague
Tester: Fran Montague
Test Date/s: June 2006
Problem: I always fancy a glass or two of wine in the week before my period starts (usually to perk me up!!) but usually it results in me reacting to situations or comments in a way that I can see afterwards was an over-reaction, and doesn’t really sit with what I feel. Alcohol during this time just sends me do-lally!
Solution: “Watch alcohol now as you are already in an altered and heightened state!”
Trial: I have worked out that the 2-3 days before my period may be an “Achilles heel moment” for me, and I really try to avoid alcohol completely.
Result: Taking alcohol out of the equation during this time has kept me safe. I can more easily check on myself and if I feel strongly about something that happens during that time, at least I know it isn’t a reaction to the alcohol.
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December 10, 2007 at 12:42 pm
· Filed under bloating, constipation, cramps, headaches, pain, physical discomfort, water retention
Source: NAPS (National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome) Annual Conference 2006; notes taken by Fran
Tester: Tester Required!
Test Date/s:
Problem: Poor diet affecting aspects of your cycle, in particular, period cramps, bloating, constipation, water retention
Solution: Eat more starches, fibre, fruit and veg, calcium, vit D, omega 3, vinegar. Reduce saturated and transfats, alcohol, salt.
Note: You may be interested in this summary where each element of the dietary change is separately discussed.
More on diet and cycle on tip EE04
Trial: Result:
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December 8, 2007 at 7:26 pm
· Filed under PMDD, PMS, depression, dreams, emotional distress, emotions
Source: Dr. Taryn Jacobs, Homeopath specialising in women’s health.
Tester: Fran Montague
Test Date/s: Sept 2006
Problem: Sometimes it’s the little things that people say to you that can have a huge impact on your experience. Over the past couple of years I have noticed my dreams in the week before my period get quite disturbing, and I have been known to wake up in a state of emotional distress, my mind busy replaying the incidents in the dream. This can stay with me all day and lead into the next night’s sleep.
As is my natural way, I would analyse these dreams (I know nothing about dream analysis) and believed that the dream was a literal reflection of some hidden desire or need in me. Therefore, in the example of dreaming of a painful past relationship and feeling distress at being left, I would interpret this as a sign that I still wanted to be with this person. This would be very stressful for me, and I would add to that the many other incidents in the dream until I was completely confused and distressed.
Solution: I was talking this over with Taryn one day and she could really relate to what I was saying. She had been looking into this herself, and her research led her to endorse a view that dreams can actually be (excuse the expression!) “subconscious vomit”. An aggressive term, but it isn’t actually meant that way. The explanation for it is that there are feelings and experiences lurking in our sub-conscious that sometimes our body just needs to get rid off, and that the only way for our bodies to do this is when we are in a dream state, actually allowing the subconscious to access our primary thoughts.
Trial: The next time I had these dreams, I reminded myself that my vivid, distressing dreams aren’t necessary literal.
Result: I found this concept helped me not to read such literal interpretations into my disturbing dreams and put them in perspective, which meant my reaction to them was more a matter of choice that automatically one of worry or anxiety.
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December 7, 2007 at 12:25 pm
· Filed under PMDD, PMS, depression, emotional distress, emotions
Source: Sjanie Hugo, Hypnotherapist, fertility specialist and member of the Wise Women network
Tester: Fran Montague
Test Date/s: Ongoing
Problem: Obsessive negative thinking
Trial: This involved a stretch of the imagination to create, but we came up with the following sentences: “I am experiencing pre-menstrual ease and calmness every cycle. I am also experiencing lightness, security, confidence, balance.”
Result: My PMS was much less turbulent during my next cycle, and I believe that focusing on this positive aim was the reason. I also enjoy saying these sentences when I am out walking, waiting for a tube, having a massage (I never knew how to ‘relax my mind’ in massages before, but this really does the trick), and especially when I can feel myself have a wobble! I can do it when relaxing, in the bath, at a massage, or falling asleep. The sentence I am repeating over and over in my head has evolved slightly over the years and of course I’m free to change it to reflect any developments or my needs at the time. Currently, it’s: “I am experiencing calmness and peace throughout my entire cycle. I have options, opportunities and hope.” It’s comforting, the kind of thing that the best, most loyal, most insightful friend would say to you just at the right time. 
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December 6, 2007 at 12:16 pm
· Filed under feminine cycle, fertility cycle, healthy cycle, menstrual cycle
Source: Alexandra Pope
Tester: Tester Required!
Test Date/s:
Problem: Rejection of oneself as a woman and consequent difficulty in developing styles of acting and relating consistent with female realities.
Solution: We can benefit from acknowledging and accepting our femininity, and our differences from men—particularly important in our society where women are encouraged (by themselves as well as by other women and men) to be more like men, rather than to express and promote their differences.
Trial:
Result:
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December 3, 2007 at 12:28 pm
· Filed under PMDD, PMS, depression, emotional distress, emotions, feminine cycle, fertility cycle, healthy cycle, menstrual cycle
Source: Dr. Taryn Jacobs, Homeopath specialising in women’s health.
Tester: Fran Montague
Test Date/s: January 2007
Problem: Pre-menstrual negativity / feeling low and flat, and painful periods with bad headaches. I wanted to ease the PMS and painful symptoms during my period.
Solution: The initial health diagnosis with Dr Taryn Jacobs explored the emotional and physical symptoms of PMS and menstruation and identified symptoms: premenstrual constipation, skin rashes at wrist and ankles, hangovers after small amounts of alcohol, use of antibiotics on average once a year. This also considered family’s health.
I was advised we would be focusing on the organs of the body that are fundamental to our health and our body to function properly, including its ability to produce hormones. There is a strong link between bowels and hormones (who knew that a large percentage of of ‘happy-hormone’ seratonin is produced in the bowel!?). Started a three-month bowel, liver and artificial hormone detox.
Trial:
1. Eliminate artificial hormones by using only:
- Organic animal products (eggs, milk, cheese, butter, chicken, meat)
- Fruit and veg washed to remove all pesticides
- Bottled water (lots)
2. Cleanse liver and bowel:
- No alcohol, chocolates, caffeine
- Psyllium husks and linseeds (eg. with cereal)
- Acidophilus supplement
- Homeopathic mixture (prescribed on individual basis)
- Glutamine supplement
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Vitamin C
- Salt Tissues
Result:
After the first 6 weeks: I have had one complete cycle since being on this detox and can report that my PMS was negligible and my period was pain free. I feel so much healthier, and am generally much more positive. I have a glow from inside, and sense of perspective. I enjoyed not drinking; didn’t feel like a sacrifice at all, and it was brilliant not feeling groggy the next day. I did allow myself a couple of chocolates and couple of glasses of champagne on Valentine’s Day! My system and organs seem to have reacted very quickly to the supplements and detox.
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December 2, 2007 at 2:23 pm
· Filed under PMDD, PMS, depression, emotions
Source: Dr.Arlene Audergon, Psychotherapist and process work facililtator
Tester: Fran Montague, 2005
Problem: During my pre-menstrual phase I notice that my thought patterns change from friend to foe. Instead of walking hand-in-hand with myself, I catch myself criticising and accusing myself for what I am or for things I have or haven’t done. Buried anxieties or negative aspects of past experiences are prominent in my thoughts. I then feel low about myself, with my self-esteem bruised.
Solution: The advice I was given for this is to prepare for my “inner critic” and fight back. Not to take the criticism, rather to address it. I was advised that after my next period had finished (when I naturally feel happy, lighter, positive, confident) to make notes of all the negative things that my inner critic has been telling me (or which I recall it has told me in the past) when experiencing PMS, and write down all my counter-arguments for each criticism.
Trial: For example:
Criticism: I am eating too much and putting on weight, and therefore am a bad person (!)
Counter-Arguments: You are listening to your own body telling you what it needs; You keep yourself healthy by XYZ; We all need to let ourselves off every now and again, and listen to our bodies’ needs. Come on, give yourself a break, my friend!
This example is slightly trivial, I understand that, but there are many other criticisms that my inner critic will come up with that are more painful. The same principle for above applies.
Result: Referring to these counter arguments really helped when these issues recurred the following month. Having the counter-arguments written down means I don’t have to rely on myself to come up with the counter-arguments at the same time when my inner critic is the stronger force!
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December 1, 2007 at 4:13 pm
· Filed under emotions, feminine cycle, fertility cycle, healthy cycle, menstrual cycle
Source: Heather Salmon
Tester: Tester Required!
Test Date/s:
Problem: Difficulty recognising and anticipating phases of one’s own cycle.
Solution: Keep a journal of your feelings throughout the month so that you can see patterns emerging and learn to take appropriate actions to support yourself at different times of the month.
Trial:
Result:
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