For ladies only.......

[Isis]

MM,

Ok ladies....you know how it is right before your time of the month? Well this month I feel about the size of the good year blimp. I mean I went and tried on clothes, which of course didnt fit, grrrrrrrr!!!!!! Now keep in mind I've lost approx fifty pounds, so when clothes in the smaller sizes didn't fit, I was less than pleased to say the least.

Anyway, I'm just annoyed and I thought I'd share that with you......even though I know you've got better things to do with your time. LOL.....just venting about ignorant s***, LOL.

Isis

[Earth Walker]

Originally posted by Isis
MM,

Ok ladies....you know how it is right before your time of the month? Well this month I feel about the size of the good year blimp. I mean I went and tried on clothes, which of course didnt fit, grrrrrrrr!!!!!! Now keep in mind I've lost approx fifty pounds, so when clothes in the smaller sizes didn't fit, I was less than pleased to say the least.

Anyway, I'm just annoyed and I thought I'd share that with you......even though I know you've got better things to do with your time. LOL.....just venting about ignorant s***, LOL.

Isis

I've experienced the "joys" of water retention every month, not
to mention the other "pleasures" of PMS; which means Putting
up with Men's S***. :rolleyes: 8O


She who is NOT to be interrupted!
****************************
I think of "men" as the diminutive of Women.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Ladies I changed one word in your posts. Please keep it clean I don't want anyone upset.:)

[Isis]

Sorry if I offended. I thought it referred to excessive use of vulgar language, LOL. Guess I was wrong, not the first, won't be the last.......

Apologize once again,

Isis

[Yvonne Belisle]

You didn't offend there is just a lot of debate going on about it right now and I would rather we err on the side of caution.

[Hope]

I don't know that you really wanted a suggestion, but I'm going to offer one up anyway. :) Have any of you tried taking B vitamins to help with the "fun" stuff each month. I can't believe no one told me sooner. good luck

blessed Be!
hope

[Sequoia]

ooh, I LOVE this time of month -_-;;;

Somehow, whenever I get the money to go shopping for clothes, it's always around this time of month. Not only do I wear plus size normally, but I buy clothes now and I feel HIDEOUS because not only do they not carry plus sizes, but I'm a size larger!!:( it sucks.

cramps, bloating, nausea, achyness, cravings, EVIL mood swings. . . you name it, I prolly have it. . . uhg.

Then again, any intellegent male within a 5 mile radius offers me chocolate as soon as they realize I'm PMSing or have my period, so. . . guess that's not all bad :D

what I really want is an eclair, though! :D 8O

[merlins_shadow]

here is what I have discovered,, but I am a strange individual I guess. Just a few days before it is going to start, stop drinkig anyhting that contans caffine. no caffine at all. Then, take water pilles as well. When the thing hits , take alive. Nothing ever seemed to work, untill i learned about all of this

[Scarlettvixen]

I used to have the PMS and period from hell
since starting a number of herbal medicines i feel much much better at that time of the month - not wonderful, but i no longer kill people with looks!

heres what i take
Evening primrose oil - or star flower oil they are both good
chaste tree (aka vitex)
B group complex

if it seems to be a pms when i am retaining fluid i then up my fluid intake and add celery (as a diuretic)

if the chocolate munchies are getting to me i add chromium

works for me
but it took about 2 yrs of searching and trying to sort it

i also have poly cystic ovaries, and the vitex helps there,
am considering adding blue cohosh, still finding stuff out about it

[Phoenix]

I drink a TON of water..... i know it's called water retention but drinking more water helps (something scientific, I didn't commit the details to memory, just the cure) and no caffine, Caffine is the enemy! besides chocolate of course.....

[WitchJezebel]

Originally posted by merlins_shadow
here is what I have discovered,, but I am a strange individual I guess. Just a few days before it is going to start, stop drinkig anyhting that contans caffine. no caffine at all. Then, take water pilles as well. When the thing hits , take alive. Nothing ever seemed to work, untill i learned about all of this

I agree with the no caffeine thing, I usually try to cut down a little since I can't give it up altogether, however, you must really use caution with the water pills; they can damage your kidneys.

[Rubi Waters]

What????? PMS and NO caffine! I don't think anybody would want to be around me then.

I will try the other stuff though and see if it helps.

[Margie]

Ug! I haven't had my period in like forever because I've been on Depo but I've let it lapse since I'm like 7000miles away from sex...uh...er...my husband...LOL I'm totally craving chocolate...I think I'm going to go buy a candy bar now. It's really weird cause I hardly really ever eat candy.

Eve-remember those chocolate/cheesecake tart things you made? OMG I'd kill for one of those right now! LMAO!

[Yvonne Belisle]

Well I would send some but I think shipping would be an issue about now lol :)

[PeleRising]

I totally agree with phoenix... i used to have wicked bad cramps and bloating... but recently ( well 6 months or so) i have been on a life style change :rolleyes: (D I E T ) and have been cramming the water... i have found that if i am drinking a lot of water... when that time of month hits...my breasts dont hurt, i dont bloat up as much, and the cramps are pretty mild... :D

[Blueowl]

IF you do some Yoga and really stretch into them...you won't notice the bloating you would be too sore elsewhere! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I have to say, my husband is a great man...for some reason after being around me for 3 years, he still hasn't figured out he needs to just leave me alone, and everything would be fine! But while he is around, he puts up with getting yelled at! Maybe I should find a way to build a second house elsewhere and then it would be better?!:apirate: :wah: :bubbles: :wave: :smoke: :smoke:

[Old Witch]

I'm in full blown menopause now.......want to kill everyone full time now..........:D

Have been told it will be better...........right? :rolleyes:

[Lavender]

I would love to hear what you're doing...herbal wise & what not. I don't think I'm going to be much longer until menopause hits.

[Old Witch]

My doctor is going hormones, hormones, hormones.........I am resisting mightily........My family has said they can still stand me, so I'm trying Remifemin........I'm gonna give it a good chance........then if it doesn't seem to be doing the job, am going to something else........plus I'm doing some studying on the side, I may try some concoctions of my own, but I don't want to do my self harm....maybe I'll start a little diary in here. Sort of chart my progress....or non progress.......I'll think about that.........hmmmm.....Do you think it might do anyone else any good.......?

[WitchJezebel]

OW: I think a diary with progress or non-progress is a great idea, I'm sure it'll help some people out.

I hear that soy products (but not the supplements/pills) are good for hot flashes and some of the other symptoms. Have you tried getting some of that into your diet?

[Lavender]

I think it would be a wonderful idea to start a diary here, OW. I know I would love to hear about how it's going. If you want to start a new thread, I can stick it in one of our resource threads. :)

[Old Witch]

I will definitely start a diary soon........Let me get my seeds started......... and my fishpools cleaned and I will go to town......And I'm trying not to do too many products at once. I want to give each and every one of them a chance to work.

[Old Witch]

I have two words for you...hot flashes!!

[AstraSkye]

Originally posted by Isis

Ok ladies....you know how it is right before your time of the month? Well this month I feel about the size of the good year blimp.

I started having that problem about six months ago... :razz: Thing is, I'm really tall and really skinny, so most of my pants are usually a bit wider in the waist than I would like them to be... But during that time, they are almost too tight... It's a pain!! And I do feel like I've just doubled my weight overnight!

I feel your pain!

[Fairywolf]

:mad:
I have poly cystic ovaries and I only have my period when I get brave enough to induce it. It takes about 3-4 mounths for me to regain myself after I do it. Does anyone know what would be a good pain/water reliver with out the prescription stuff???

[Scarlettvixen]

hi fairywolf

sounds like me with the stinking PCOS
i have to say best thing i have found is vitex aka chaste tree and
blue cohosh

they have taken them from screaming awful passing out things to something that a simple analgesic will fix

r u getting yr pcos treated?
that also helps

[Fairywolf]

I am getting ready to start a research program for PCOD in a month so hopefully it will get better. I think I will have to try those out and see how well I can live with this.:thumbsup:

[Raydreamer]

Organic Tampons (for those who use them). They're amazing!!!!! With ordinary ones, they contain Asbestos which encourages your system to bleed more. But Organic Tampons, they don't contain Asbestos at all so your system does what it needs to!(And ONLY what it needs to!!!) Don't get me started on companies putting Asbestos in their products......grrrrrrrr!

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by Old Witch

I'm in full blown menopause now.......want to kill everyone full time now..........:D

Have been told it will be better...........right? :rolleyes:

I heard on a news show the other day that this time lasts three years max and that the rest is all in our heads because it's what we expect!

My symptoms come from an early hysterectomy and after ten years on the hormone roller coaster, I finally found some answers. Natural progesterone cream helps with the bloating and irritability - it took about four months to work. And vitex has stopped the hot flashes. I got very serious about this after being told that I had to take synthetic hormones to prevent a heart attck only to hear new information that says that HRT can GIVE you a heart attack :(

Natural progesterone is also supposed to help with premenstrual symptoms and some affordable ones are finally coming out. Wal-Mart carries one made by Nature's Bounty that is half the price of the ones in the health food stores and for me has worked not just as well, but better.

[Semele]

Originally posted by Raydreamer

Organic Tampons (for those who use them). They're amazing!!!!! With ordinary ones, they contain Asbestos which encourages your system to bleed more. But Organic Tampons, they don't contain Asbestos at all so your system does what it needs to!(And ONLY what it needs to!!!) Don't get me started on companies putting Asbestos in their products......grrrrrrrr!

That is a hoax Sweetie...they have never used asbestos in tampons. Here is a link that clears it up. I hate it when rumors like that get started. There is enough scary stuff in the world withour folks making up extra stuff to scare us with.

http://www.snopes.com/toxins/tampon.htm

[Sugar & Spice]

Hmm, well here's you a new one!

Mother picked up some pads for me from Wal-Mart.
(she was going I wasn't)
Equate brand. She picked up the Equate Long Super with Wings- Maxi.
They are in an Aqua looking bag with dark blue writting.
I have used Equate before.
These in this Aqua pack smell like formaldhide! That's right...
I had nothing else to use for a few days, so I've used about 5 of these suckers and they blistered me.
Got me some more different today.

Just thought to give a heads up...

[WitchJezebel]

I've tried the organic tampons, but they're not shaped like the ones I usually use, so I didn't care for them.

[Old Witch]

Originally posted by Sugar & Spice

Hmm, well here's you a new one!

Mother picked up some pads for me from Wal-Mart.
(she was going I wasn't)
Equate brand. She picked up the Equate Long Super with Wings- Maxi.
They are in an Aqua looking bag with dark blue writting.
I have used Equate before.
These in this Aqua pack smell like formaldhide! That's right...
I had nothing else to use for a few days, so I've used about 5 of these suckers and they blistered me.
Got me some more different today.

Just thought to give a heads up...

You need to get those suckers back to Walmart and see if the whole batch is like that.........They need to be recalled...........:eek:

[Flar's Freyja]

Definitely. If there was some sort of contamination, they need to know and they need to know now! They won't know if someone doesn't tell them.

This is your chance to be the hero of the day..........and are you getting medical attention for your blisters? Without suggesting a lawsuit, I would like to let you know that I'm sure that Wal-Mart is insured to cover the medical bill.

[Sugar & Spice]

There is a 1-800 # on the bag, I'll give them a call...and let Wal-Mart know as well.
Using some yogurt, to calm down the blisters, it's healing...belive me I didn't burned to bad once I figured out what was going on.
Never occured to me to smell them first. Maybe cause I was more concerned about taking care of the problem at hand.
Nasty mess for sure. Glad it wasn't a tampon, stopped using those years ago.

[Raydreamer]

Originally posted by Semele

That is a hoax Sweetie...they have never used asbestos in tampons. Here is a link that clears it up.
http://www.snopes.com/toxins/tampon.htm

How strange.....it's funny how these things start...this clears up so much about tampons. It's funny how on organic tampons, my flow is much lighter but that could be due to anything like the hormones/diet etc.

This article explains a lot, but I was thinking about how i tend to treat any article (whether on television, internet, magazine etc.) with a certain degree of debatability...and although this article makes a lot of sense (and it does) i realised i'd heard a rumour about tampons and treated rumour different from supposed written fact which lets face it, is probably more reliable. But then I always have been extremely gullible! :) :) :) :)

[Semele]

Originally posted by Raydreamer
But then I always have been extremely gullible! :) :) :) :)

Ditto for me!:cool:

[wildwoodswoman]

Foods good to combat bloat:
asparagus
celery
dandilions

Foods good to combat GRRRR:
Rosemary/Sage infusions in the am

The ENEMY:
Xanthaines--the ingrediant in caffine that makes you NUTS!!
Coffee
Tea
Chocolate

Don't forget-- caffine is a POWERFUL diuretic. Dehydration is BAD!!

Oh, yes, and can't be said too many times--DRINK WATER!! LOTS!!

Oh, of course, I just pass on the whole monthly thing. Such an inconvenience. And I save a fortune on tampons!:p

[WitchJezebel]

Originally posted by Sugar & Spice

Hmm, well here's you a new one!

These in this Aqua pack smell like formaldhide! That's right...
I had nothing else to use for a few days, so I've used about 5 of these suckers and they blistered me.
Got me some more different today.

Just thought to give a heads up...

Could you have had a reaction to the deodorant? I know I can't EVER use deodorant anything with regards to the hygeine products... I get a similar reaction as yours to fragrances.

[Sugar & Spice]

Well, they don't say any thing about deoderant on the bag, and they do smell of formaldehyde...
They (company are checking it out, wouldn't say if they had any more come back in to them with complaints.)

As far as skin, I am very sensitive to lots of different things, but have never had a problem with any type of pad I've used before.
Of course I try to always make sure that anything I do get is unscented, or at least says that on the packaging...

Seriously thinking of gathering up some diapers and making me some cloth pads...

[cag]

i had the worst cramps imaginable. i am extremely happy to say i finally found a relief from the cramps. progesterone. yes, i did some research and decided to give it a try. every morning after showering, i rub a pinch of this remarkable cream on my stomach or neck. now, my period come and i don't know until i visit the bathroom. it must be use very often. i did stop applying the cream for a month and the cramps came back. also i experimented with three different brands. only one really work. also that one is the most expensive. it's called progesta-eze and cost $25.00 plus $7.00 shipping. the relief i have gotten was worth the cost. i bought it from www.health4her.com the others were under $15.00.

hope this help some one.

peace, love & light
cag

[Tinúviel]

great thread ladies..we need somewhere we can rant! ;)

i've read most of the posts but i've only been skimming some so forgive me if i repeat a question already asked, but does anyone of any herbal or natural remedies for monthly cramps? I feel absolutely terrible each month and it really affects my concentration..

thankyou for posting that info 'progesta-eze' cag, much appreciated, i'll do some research but i think the money may be a problem..*sighs*

BB
~Tinúviel

[Jax]

that 'cup' (of venus i think??) that you insert. It collects the blood and 'all' (!!!!:eek: ) you do is wash it out and re-insert again!! I'm pondering whether or not to invest in one! Any in-put etc greatly appreciated!!!

[Jax]

Starflower oil (1000mg) AND Evening primrose oil plus multivits. It seems to be helping ALOT with the pmt/pms etc!! I fully recommend them!

[Jax]

Originally posted by Tinúviel

great thread ladies..we need somewhere we can rant! ;)

i've read most of the posts but i've only been skimming some so forgive me if i repeat a question already asked, but does anyone of any herbal or natural remedies for monthly cramps? I feel absolutely terrible each month and it really affects my concentration..

thankyou for posting that info 'progesta-eze' cag, much appreciated, i'll do some research but i think the money may be a problem..*sighs*

BB
~Tinúviel

You could try Raspberry leaf tea/tabs which tones and strengthens the uterus, thus relieving 'cramps',

any of the following essential oils: roman chamomile,
clary sage,
cypress,
ginger,
juniper,
lavender,
sweet marjoram,
chaste tree and rosemary.
The method of using these oils is either massage (over back and abdomen throughout your cycle), warm compress during menstruation or in the bath.

The herbal rems to think about using are black cohosh, chaste tree adn marigold.

Hope this is of some use!!??!

[Shy Hawk]

Originally posted by wildwoodswoman

Foods good to combat bloat:
asparagus
celery
dandilions



I really like asparagus, and it's neat that it helps with bloat (which I get fairly often)...however, I also heard that it causes one to taste bad. Ahem, if you get my meaning. Truth to this?
~The Pirate

[WitchJezebel]

Originally posted by Shy Hawk

I really like asparagus, and it's neat that it helps with bloat (which I get fairly often)...however, I also heard that it causes one to taste bad. Ahem, if you get my meaning. Truth to this?
~The Pirate

I've never heard THAT!! I heard asparagus changes the smell of your urine, but other than that...

I DID hear however, that if you eat fennel as in fennel salads it does the OPPOSITE of what you said above. Ahem, if you get MY meaning...

[BethieRose]

Has anyone tried........
that 'cup' (of venus i think??) that you insert. It collects the blood and 'all' (!!!! ) you do is wash it out and re-insert again!! I'm pondering whether or not to invest in one! Any in-put etc greatly appreciated!!!

I've heard of two cups. One called Instead and one called The Keeper. I've heard good things about both. The Instead is disposable, the Keeper is not. http://www.thekeeperstore.com/ for information on the keeper. I've heard that the keeper is better after childbirth (it comes in two sizes).

The people who have had problems with the Keeper are people who didn't like tampons either. This is why I tried cloth pads, instead!

I LOVE them! Before switching to cloth, I was dealing with yeast infections every month, which would leave me raw and blistered. :( Not a bit fun. The yeast infections didn't stop with the cloth pads (that took other measures) but the pads did make a huge difference in the rawness of my skin during that time.

[Jax]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BethieRose

I've heard of two cups. One called Instead and one called The Keeper. I've heard good things about both. The Instead is disposable, the Keeper is not. http://www.thekeeperstore.com/ for information on the keeper. I've heard that the keeper is better after childbirth (it comes in two sizes).

The Keeper!! That's it!LOL!! Can't think of how I came up with 'venus'??!!LOL!!! Thanks for the link!!! (I should be ok as I have three children!LOL!!! ;) ) Really appreciate it! (the link!LOL!!)

[Jax]

Originally posted by Shy Hawk

I also heard that it causes one to taste bad. Ahem, if you get my meaning. Truth to this?
~The Pirate

Well! Remind me not to buy any!!!lol!!!:eyebrow:

[adament]

have been using black cohosh, red clover, evening primrose and flaxseed...pretty good results...

i understand about the caffine but....if i gave up my coffee, i'd have to hurt someone....

ada

[WitchJezebel]

Originally posted by adament

i understand about the caffine but....if i gave up my coffee, i'd have to hurt someone....

ada

At least I'm not the only one!! I'll give up most anything except coffee... oh and beer!

[WandererInGray]

I must have missed the part about the caffine...all I know is it actually helps me with getting rid of my cramps.

[WitchJezebel]

Originally posted by WandererInGray

I must have missed the part about the caffine...all I know is it actually helps me with getting rid of my cramps.

I think it varies with everyone. Caffeine is a diuretic, thus removing water, reducing bloat. In SOME people. For others it just makes cramps worse. I'm a coffee addict, so I couldn't tell you either way.

[KyGreenWitch]

Isis -

Have you tried aromatherapy? Or perhaps teas or tinctures that help with mood or water retention?

I know some oils that are helpful and may be diffused or rubbed on the body along side the spine and/or pressure points. Some of the most helpful oils (I have found for me) are Bergamot, Geranium, Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang, Nutmeg, and/or Chamomile (Roman).

Of course, supplements like B Complex or B12, FemiGen, and/or VitaGreen are good to take as well.

Taking care of yourself is the bottom line. :)

Blessings to you,

[cydira]

Maeby it'll help you ladies too. :)

Raspberry tea is a good tea when your not on your flow because it helps to tone the bladder and it helps to flush toxins out. When you are on your menses, it acts as a muscle relaxant, a mood elevator, and it helps to reduce bloating (some).

Before you start your flow, you may have the same cravings as I do (chocolate, salty foods, etc.). I've done some reaserch and actually found out a few reasons why we tend to get those cravings. We crave the chocolate because it is an anti-depressant. The salty foods help to balance our electrolyte levels that are thrown off by our flow. And we retain water to prevent dehydration due to the amount of water that our body loses in our flow.

I've had alot of success with the raspberry tea. Use real raspberry tea, not the stuff made from syrups (they're usually flavored with an additive that tastes like raspberry and don't have the chemicals in it that help us medicinally). I used to have wild mood swings and I'd go for months with out having my flow only to have it for 2-3 weeks. Then, after I was diagnosed with having a problem with ovarian cysts, I was put on the pill. It has helped incredibly with my problems with the cysts, though I have to be on the highest dosage for it to work :| , and it's evened out the massive mood swings. Also, I finally have a regular cycle.

You ladies that have problems with your flow coming once ever few months and it lasts for several weeks, like I did, need to pay close attention to what happens at the time. I didn't know until recently how dangerous that can be. It's possible to hemmorage and bleed to death at that time. If you soak through a pad in a half hour, get to a hospital. My best friend nearly died from hemmoraging, she explained it to me and that's how I know what to look for in my own situation.

Aside from that, one little note about the raspberry tea. When you're off your menses, it will act as a mild depressant. I'm not sure why, I think it has something to do with how it interacts with your hormones.

Hope this helps. :)

****

PS: Cyanne (sp?) pepper helps some with cramps too. Also, try to eat foods rich in iron to help keep your energy up. I find that I crave liver and onions when I'm on my menses. Any other time it disgusts me. :T

[Amethyst Rose]

You may find this useful :)

Menstrual cramp tea
1 teaspoon of cramp bark (Guelder Rose bark)
1/2 teaspoon each Motherwort leaves, chamomile flowers, wild yam root, fresh oats, hopstrobiles and skullcap leaves
1/4 teaspoon ginger rhizome
1 quart of water

** Combine herbs and water in an uncovered saucepan. Bring to a boil, the turn down heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat, cover pan and let steep for 20 minutes. Strain. Drink one cup then drink as needed.

Written by Dr. King (the Eclectic Physician)