This post: 10 PMS home remedies for teen girls
I remember when I was a teenager, I’d get awful period cramps. My mom would heat my favorite (old worn out) robe in the dryer and wrap it around me, make me some herbal tea and turn on my favorite television show.
There was nothing like a little tender loving care from my mom to make me feel better.
Back then, they didn’t seem to know a heck of a lot about premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Everyone (including doctors) seemed rather clueless about what caused it or the best treatments to combat all the symptoms that showed up at our door once a month. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then and we’re now armed with a plethora of medical knowledge about the subject.
The fact is, 80-90% of teenage girls (and women of all ages) experience some symptoms that time of the month that just aren’t pleasant. And even though there have been nearly 200 symptoms linked to PMS (yup… 200), most of the more common symptoms boil down to just a handful, including the “leave me alone” mood swings, “I’m cranky and I don’t know why” irritability, “I gotta have chocolate” cravings and frustrating pimples the size of Mount Everest, to name a few.
Still, even though we’re armed with tons of knowledge and doctors stand ready with prescriptions that promise to ease those nasty symptoms, there are plenty of home remedies that have proven to be effective – especially for mild to moderate PMS.
On those days when your favorite teen girl is feeling crummy and needs a little tender loving care, try one of these PMS home remedies for teen girls to make her feel more comfortable and remind her that she’s loved.
10 PMS Home Remedies for Teen Girls
#1 Soft and Cozy Pajamas and Slippers
There might not be any scientific evidence to support the benefits of crawling into a comfy pair of PJ’s and a pair of fluffy slippers, but there are plenty of teen girls who swear by it. Little can compare to curling up on the couch in your favorite jammies, slipping on a pair of cozy socks or fluffy slippers and spending a few hours watching Netflix when you’re cranky, tired and bloated.
#2 Take a Hot Bath
Fill the tub with hot water, add your favorite bath salts, bubbles or bath bomb, light a scented candle, turn on your favorite music, lie back and let your mind and body rest.
So often, the PMS symptoms that hit teen girls the hardest are the emotional symptoms – anxiety, stress, mood swings and irritability. What better way to melt away those harsh symptoms than by taking a few moments to escape from the world. Plus, not only does a warm bath make your blood more oxygenated which allows you to breathe deeper and slower, it has also been proven to calm your nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mood.
#3 Herbal Tea
My daughter never cared much for hot tea until one day last year when I made her a warm cup of Chamomile tea when she was suffering from horrible cramps. Let’s just say, she’s now officially hooked. While there isn’t a ton of medical proof that herbal teas actually work to help PMS, herbs, in general, have long been recognized in the “natural remedy” world as a reliable and effective way to ease PMS symptoms.
Peppermint tea has been known to combat bloating, cramps and fatigue, Ginger tea can work wonders to soothe cramps and ease an upset stomach, and Chamomile tea not only helps to calm your tummy, but has also been known to ease cramps and take crankiness down a notch.
#4 Heating Pad or Warm Compress
When cramps kick in, the comfort of a warm compress on your lower abdomen can work wonders. An electric heating pad, hot water bottle, a microwavable heating pad or even your favorite robe warmed up in the dryer and wrapped around your tummy work great to battle cramps.
The therapeutic benefits of heat work by relaxing the muscles in the uterus, increasing blood flow and easing pain. Plus, it just plain feels good.
#5 Essential Oils
Every teen girl has her go-to remedies when that time of the month rolls around, but when the typical remedies don’t do the trick, you might want to give a more holistic remedy a try – essential oils.
Touted as one of the best-undervalued solutions for PMS, essential oils can be just what you need to help with your menstrual woes. Because scent is such a powerful way to influence mood, it’s no wonder it can help with PMS. Simply Earth Essential Oils recommend Clary Sage Essential Oil for relaxing muscles, Geranium Essential Oil to soothe stress and relieve pain and Lavender Essential Oil for its calming and pain-relieving benefits.
#6 Good ‘Ole Comfort Food
When your favorite girl is grumpy, crampy and tired, few things can make her feel better than her favorite tried and true comfort food. Whether it’s chocolate, pizza or mac n’ cheese, comfort food has a way of making you feel better. And, as it turns out, there’s a reason for that. The high starch and high sugar in a lot of our girl’s favorite comfort food promotes the release of the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, serotonin. (Chances are her fave comfort food isn’t too healthy, but hey, it’s okay to dive in every once in a while.)
#7 Look for Ways to Reduce Stress
Studies have found that stress can increase the frequency and severity of menstrual cramps, which means in order to feel better you have to treat yourself better. Reducing stress could be as simple as saying “no” to that extra shift at work, sleeping in a little longer in the morning, taking a nap during the day, having a “me” day when you need it the most or watching a funny movie. You can also try downloading a meditation app to help you reduce stress, sleep better and relax.
#8 Get More Sleep
Considering the fact that most teenagers are sleep deprived and lack of sleep can contribute to moodiness, fatigue and increased sensitivity to pain, a few extra zzz’s will do you a world of good to combat PMS symptoms.
Try going to bed at the same time each night, shoot for a good 7-9 hours of sleep, avoid caffeinated drinks and turn off the computer at least an hour before you hit the sack.
#9 Eat a Healthy Diet
One of the best PMS home remedies for teen girls is to eat a healthy diet that’s rich in complex carbs (whole grains, fruit and veggies) and calcium (milk, yogurt and cheese). Also, limit sugar and salt intake (which can cause bloating) and try to limit caffeine, which has been known to contribute to breast tenderness.
Also, because you lose a fair amount of iron when you have your period, make sure you’re getting your recommended daily intake by eating fortified cereals, beef, chicken, tuna, spinach or other iron-rich foods. Extra vitamin supplements, including Calcium, Magnesium, vitamin E and vitamin B6 have also proven to be effective for PMS.
#10 Exercise
There has been plenty of research to suggest that regular exercise can help with cramps and other PMS symptoms. Still, when you’re feeling awful and your idea of a good time is vegging out on the couch watching a 6-hour Netflix marathon, exercise isn’t something you’re eager to do.
But getting healthy, staying healthy and incorporating exercise into your weekly routine can make a huge difference in how you feel that time of the month. Brisk walking, running, biking or swimming 2-3 times a week is extremely beneficial in helping to relieve stress and boosting your mood. Another activity to try is Yoga – it’s great for combatting stress. One study even found that certain yoga poses – “cobra,” “cat,” and “fish” – help ease painful cramping.
When over-the-counter medicine and natural remedies don’t work, medical treatment may be necessary. Always be sure to check with your doctor before taking vitamins and supplements, including herbal supplements.