PMS & Painful Periods
PMS and menstrual symptoms can affect far more than just your cycle. For many of us women, the days leading up to a period can bring mood changes, cravings, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, cramps, low energy, irritability or disrupted sleep. These can make even simple daily tasks feel harder and leave you feeling unlike yourself. I know... I've been there!
Painful periods, sore boobs, low mood, irregular cycles... they are all extremely common, but that doesn't mean it's normal. It's often signs that your hormones, stress levels, nutrient intake or overall lifestyle may need more support. This guide explores why PMS varies so much from person to person, what may influence it and how a personalised nutritional approach can help support a more balanced, predictable cycle.
Why are my PMS symptoms worse than other peoples?
No two menstrual cycles are the same. Hormones fluctuate throughout the month, and each woman’s sensitivity to these changes can vary widely. Stress, sleep, nutrition, digestion and past experiences can all influence how strongly you feel PMS.
Some women experience emotional symptoms, while others notice physical changes like bloating, cramps or headaches. Your age also plays a role. PMS often shifts during your 30s and 40s as hormone patterns begin to change. Understanding your own cyclical patterns helps identify what your body may need during each phase of your cycle.
What can influence PMS?
There's a whole host of factors that can contribute to PMS and painful periods such as:
Low or inconsistent nutrient intake through poor diet or not eating enough during the day
Blood sugar dips leading to mood changes or cravings
Chronic stress (one of the biggest drivers of hormone imbalances)
Lack of good quality sleep
Gut imbalances affecting hormone metabolism
Inflammation
Highly processed foods
Low fibre intake
The wrong kind of movement (or lack of)
These factors don’t affect us all in the same way, but looking into each of them can help uncover what your PMS or painful period triggers are.
Working with me
When you work with me, we'll look at your symptoms across the entire cycle, not just the days when you feel your worst. We'll dig deep into your energy, mood and hunger fluctuations, your digestion and sleep patterns across the month and how you manage your stress. We'll discuss your current diet and any medications you are taking to understand what vitamins and minerals may be lacking in your diet as well as whether you've got adequate protein, fibre and healthy fats to support your hormones throughout the month.
We may also discuss whether hormone testing or genetic testing may be appropriate to help understand what's going on under the surface in more detail.
Your personalised plan will include strageies to help you ensure your meals are balanced, with all key nutrients represented to ensure stable blood sugar and digestive support. Follow up sessions will help us track your progress, refine your programme and build your confidence in taking control of your hormones. Between sessions you'll be able to check in via your client portal, so you're not left alone trying to figure it all out.
When to speak to your GP
You should speak to your GP if your PMS or period symptoms are severe, worsening, disrupting your daily life, or if you experience very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, sudden changes to your cycle, severe pelvic pain, fainting, fever or anything that feels unusual for you.
Nutritional therapy can work alongside medical support, but it should not replace appropriate medical assessment or treatment.
How can you work with me?
If PMS or painful periods are making your month feel unpredictable or overwhelming then get in touch. I have a number of different programmes available to help women like you. Start by booking your free call and we can discuss the best personalised approach for helping you support a calmer, more balanced, pain free cycle.