Many women who experience painful periods every month assume that this is a normal part of the process, but nothing is further from the truth. Often, they have tried over-the-counter or even prescription medications that do not relieve pain.

The truth is, a normal period shouldn’t have you spending a week in bed every month or taking drugs that knock you out just so you can endure the pain. But what is a normal period like?

A few days before your period starts, progesterone and estrogen levels drop dramatically. This is a signal to her body that she did not get pregnant this month, and she may lose her stored blood supply and start again in a few days.

This process shouldn’t cause heartbreaking cramps or sudden mood swings, but there are many things that interfere with the process, and a major culprit is endocrine disruptors.

Hormones are chemical messengers that tell our bodies to do things like grow hair, produce sperm, release an egg, etc. Endocrine disruptors literally interrupt this process.

You’ve probably heard of the plastic water bottle controversy. Part of the problem is that many clear plastic containers contain the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) which can leach into food.

BPA mimics estrogen and studies have shown that women exposed to high levels of BPA are at increased risk of developing uterine fibroids and breast cancer.

Now that is just an example. The average person is regularly exposed to many sources of endocrine disruptors.

– Hormones are added to poultry, cattle and fish feed to make them bigger and/or produce more milk.
– Pharmaceuticals flushed down the toilet are in the water supply.
– Crops dusted with fertilizers containing endocrine disruptors
– Skin care products are notoriously rampant with hormone-mimicking chemicals.

Those are just a few examples, but you get the idea. Imagine all of these hormonal challenges along with a diet that is too high in sugar and starches combined with a sedentary lifestyle. You have the recipe for a monthly ride on the pain train.

The thing is, if you approach your doctor with your complaints, he or she is likely to prescribe pain medication. If that doesn’t work, a stronger prescription or maybe even birth control pills. Actually? More hormones?

There are many health resources on the Internet, more than at any other time. The problem is that they often contradict each other. Today fish oil is good, tomorrow krill is better. One book recommends vegan, another suggests the omnivore diet.

I don’t take advice from just anyone, but I do listen to experts who speak from experience and have a proven track record of success. If you’re looking for a holistic way to end PMS and menstrual cramps, you’ll want to take a look at the Women’s Health Academy. As an example of the information available, listen to Nancy Desjardin, who is a Registered Nutritional Consultant who gives you 7 ways to control her cravings.