Natural PMS Mood Cure

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the days or weeks before your period begins. Depression, sleep disturbances, sudden mood swings, forgetfulness and food cravings are all common mood-related side effects of PMS. Several natural PMS mood cures are available, although experts have been unable to pin down which therapy might work for a particular symptom or woman.

Keep Hormones in Balance

• PMS-related mood problems are likely due to changes in your estrogen level, which seems to impact serotonin, a chemical in the brain that relates to good moods. You can improve your serotonin levels by taking supplements that work as anti-depressants. St. John's wort, an herb, and the amino acid 5HTP are both mild anti-depressants.

  Try taking 450 mg of St. John's wort twice a day with meals in the two weeks prior to your period, according to Pregnancy.org. During the same two weeks, take 100 mg of 5HTP at bedtime.

  The natural supplement evening primrose oil is an essential fatty acid that works to increase your level of prostaglandins, a hormone-like chemical that also affects PMS symptoms.

Take Calcium

• A calcium supplement of 1,200 mg daily is another natural cure for PMS mood problems, according to Pregnancy.org. You can also add calcium to your diet with low-fat dairy products such as yogurt or milk. Soy products such as tofu, rice milk, dark greens and salmon and sardines all have high levels of calcium that may help to ease your PMS moodiness.

Exercise and Eat a Healthy Diet

• Regular exercise—30 minutes a day, five days a week—can not only relieve your symptoms, but may work to prevent your PMS-related mood problems. And although you might be tempted, avoid junk foods that are high in fat and sugar to keep your mood on an even keel. Sugar and fat might seem to increase your energy levels, but once your body metabolizes these foods you are likely to crash and feel worse. Too much sugar can also make you feel nervous. Finally, reducing the amount of salt you consume will cut down on the bloating.

  Instead, opt for whole foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean proteins. Choose foods that contain complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal, beans and nuts. A healthy diet will reduce your PMS symptoms.

Check With a Doctor

• Although vitamins and dietary supplements such as herbs and oils are available over the counter, be sure to consult your doctor. These products can cause problems if you take them in excess or in certain combinations, and they can interact badly with some medications.