PMS as a Gift

PMS: A Gift??? Wait, what am I even saying...this is crazy! Hang tight and hear me out.

Let’s be real: for most women, PMS is not something they look forward to. The bloating, the cramps, the irritability—it feels more like a curse than a blessing. But what if we could shift our perspective and see PMS for what it truly is: an opportunity, a much-needed break, and yes, even a gift.

Women, by nature, are nurturers. We are caregivers, we put others’ needs ahead of our own, and we constantly juggle roles—daughter, partner, mother, friend, colleague—the list goes on. It’s almost like we’re expected to wear many hats, but seldom are we given the space to take one off and just be.

Enter PMS. What if we could look at PMS not as a nuisance, but as a reminder—a cosmic nudge—that it’s time to stop, take a breath, and listen to ourselves?

The Silent Cry for Attention

Throughout the month, women often suppress at least some of their emotions in favor of maintaining harmony. We smile through frustration, soldier on through exhaustion, and wear a mask of “I’m fine” even when we’re not. This constant act of selflessness—of tending to the needs of others while neglecting our own—is a common experience. PMS is like the universe saying, “It’s time for you to be heard.” It’s the body’s way of demanding that we pay attention to our own needs, frustrations, and desires.

The Power of Saying "No"

One of the biggest gifts our monthly cycle offers is the chance to say “no” without feeling guilty. We’re told that being accommodating is part of being nurturing. But what happens when we say “yes” too much? We exhaust ourselves, we resent the constant giving, and we feel like we’re drowning in obligations.

During the week leading up to the arrvial of Aunt Flo, there’s a certain permission to say, “I can’t do it all right now.” Your body, in all its hormonal glory, is giving you the green light to take a step back, say no, and prioritize yourself.

Emotional Release: A Necessary Purge

PMS is also an emotional purge. For too long, women’s emotions have been dismissed, belittled, or labeled as “hormonal” rather than being seen as valid responses to the pressures and stresses of life. So, when day 21 of your cycle hits, all of those bottled-up emotions have no place to go but out. That sudden surge of anger, sadness, or frustration? It’s not random—it’s your body’s way of clearing out the emotional clutter that has built up over the weeks. Cry, scream, vent. Let it out. Let those emotions flow. After all, when you allow yourself to fully feel, you make room for healing.

Connecting with Your Needs

PMS is a beautiful, albeit intense, reminder that women are human beings with needs, too. It’s not always easy to be the rock for everyone around you, but a handful of days a month, the rock gets a chance to crumble, to feel fragile, and to be supported. This is when you get to ask yourself: What do I need right now?

Whether it’s more sleep, less responsibility, or simply the space to be imperfect, PMS opens the door to asking for help or withdrawing from the world without shame. It’s a chance to check in with your body, your heart, and your soul to see what you truly need—whether that’s a warm bath, a cozy blanket, acupuncture or just a moment of solitude.

A Shift in Perspective

The next time PMS rolls around, consider reframing it as a gift rather than a burden. It’s a reminder that you’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to step back. You’re allowed to take care of yourself, and you’re allowed to be imperfect. In a world that often asks women to do more and be more, PMS is the universe’s way of saying: "It's okay to put yourself first for once."

So let’s stop dreading it and start embracing it—because PMS isn’t just one more thing we have to struggle through. It’s a sacred space to honor ourselves, release pent-up emotions, and be heard in a way that we so often aren’t. And in that sense, it truly is a gift.

Katie Dittmann is a licensed acupuncturist in Boulder, Colorado. She loves sharing her passion for natural approaches to health and wellness through her online articles and at her clinic, Katie Dittmann Acupuncture, at 3080 Valmont Rd. Call for an appointment at 720-470-3908.