Dealing with premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

[ummtaalib]

Answered by Ustadha Zaynab Ansari, SunniPath Academy Teacher

 

AssalamoAlaikum,
My problem is that a couple of days before bleeding starts, I start having serious mood swings. I go into this phase of severe depression, extreme tiredness and laziness, and pick fights with everyone. It gets so bad that often I end up yelling and it causes severe dents in my relationships. It seems like no matter how much I try, I just am unable to control my anger. Please let me know if there are any duaas I can make for my temper to not rise and to prevent such situations. JazakAllah Khair.
 

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.

 

Dear Sister,

I pray this message finds you in good health and spirits.

 

If you are experiencing severe depression and serious mood swings, then you should consult a physician, who may prescribe medication, or offer some suggestions for altering your behavior.

 

If you find that you only experience these symptoms right before menstruation, after which they disappear, then there are several approaches you can take. Keep in mind that each woman’s PMS is different. Therefore, what works for some women may not work for everyone.

 

1. First, dua is a very powerful weapon. There are several duas you can make for peace of mind and healing. Please see the following:

 

Can you tell me a dua to recite for restlessness?

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?id=8621

Prophetic Supplications for Healing

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=2945&CATE=105

 

2. Controlling anger:

The Prophet, peace be upon him, gave us many helpful tips for controlling anger, such as performing ablution, seeking refuge in Allah from shaitan, and holding our tongues. He said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.” Do certain people or situations aggravate you? If so, why don’t you avoid them for those couple days? If you can’t, then resolve to modify your reaction to them. Take a deep breath and force yourself to wait for at least 30 seconds before speaking. Try to defuse the situation with humor. Women are likely to understand what you’re going through. Male family members might not be as sympathetic, but you can still let them know that it’s not personal. Give yourself an incentive to behave. Why not give yourself a small treat if you manage to get through PMS without losing your temper?

 

Also, remember that there are ways to cope with PMS, such as maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, calming down with meditation, prayer, and dhikr, and talking to your family and friends about what you’re going through.

 

Finally, please see these articles on SunniPath:

Dealing with anger

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=3295&CATE=17

 

And Allah knows best.