The sad truth is that most of our bodies aren’t in tiptop condition, and I’m not just talking about estrogen. Stress1 tends to be the biggest culprit, causing our reproductive system to take a back seat to fight-or-flight survival responses. Cortisol levels raise, our blood redirects to our extremities, and our digestive and reproductive systems get put on hold until we can resolve whatever crisis is at hand. So, our estrogen and progesterone production are put on hold until we can reclaim control of our situation. Here are my top five favorites for diminishing the symptoms of PMS and balancing your hormones—STAT: While many people know that their PMS symptoms are caused by imbalanced hormones, they have the wrong hormones in mind. Reducing cortisol levels should be your main goal, which will help to rebalance your estrogen and progesterone levels. This means stress management is the biggest gift that we women can give to ourselves. I recommend incorporating some self-care rituals into your daily routine in order to take time each day to reduce those stress levels. High-quality essential oils can support this step by reducing your cortisol levels and allowing your body to find the calm that it needs to support your monthly cycle. Deep breathing techniques, relaxing nighttime routines, yoga, and anything that helps you to find your inner peace are your ticket to keeping stress low while replenishing your energy and mood. Ever wondered what essential oils functional medicine experts always have on hand?