Hormones shift throughout pregnancy, and can cause symptoms that may be similar to those associated with PMS. It's important that your body is producing enough progesterone to sustain a pregnancy. Since PMS is often due to low levels of

You're not hallucinating or losing your marbles. Hormones govern a lot of different brain functions, including taste and smell. You may become more sensitive to taste, smell and even touch. I find that magnesium is often helpful in reducing this hypersensitivity and recommend taking 250-400 mg daily. Of course, if your superwoman vibes make you enjoy life's rich banquet more, just sit back, relax, and inhale, or visit a local farmers' market and sample the fresh produce of the season. Just steer clear of department stores where the perfume spritzing terrorists could induce sensory overload!

Your adrenal glands and/or thyroid gland may be sluggish, made worse by the hormone shifts that accompany this part of your cycle. This can cause you to feel tired. Besides checking with your doctor, you could take specific herbs called "adaptogens" that support your adrenals. My Energy Balance Formula contains eleuthero, rhodiola, and reishi mushroom, plus tyrosine (an amino acid) and B vitamins. These boost your adrenal or energy glands, thyroid gland, and feel-good brain chemicals. You also may need more rest during this time.

This nausea could be due to "estrogen dominance" in which the normal ratio of estrogen to progesterone is too high. This means that you have too much estrogen and too little progesterone. To get your hormones back in whack, you can take herbal formulas such as my PMS Balance, or natural progesterone supplements. You can also take a combination of calcium-d-glucarate, a compound that breaks down the excess estrogen, plus a progesterone cream, applied on any skin surface twice daily during this time.

Yet again, hormones are the culprit: acne is due to an imbalance of hormones. Avoid sugar, white flour, chocolate, and greasy foods like the plague. Stick to lots of fresh fruits and veggies, lean protein, and drink a minimum of eight glasses of water a day. Eat foods containing Omega 3 oils such as salmon, spinach, and mustard greens. They act as natural anti-inflammatories, and we all know that nothing is quite as inflammatory as a biblical plague of pimples. You can also take 2 grams (2 caps) of Super EPA daily.

Lock yourself in a closet for a week and come out when you can be civil. If that won't work for economic reasons, see this post.

Skip the salt to prevent water retention, and neither you nor your breasts will feel (and look) like water balloons. Eat lots of fruit, vegetables and protein, avoid sugar and salty foods, and get a move on! Exercise helps your body eliminate excess fluid. Though you wouldn't offer a drowning man water, make sure you drink plenty of H2O, no matter how bloated you feel. Women need at least 64oz (or 8 cups) of water a day to keep the blimp away.

Your blood sugar is on a death-defying rollercoaster ride, thanks to changes in your hormone levels. Don't try to starve yourself to manage the ups and downs. Eat!

Here's a good strategy that works during PMS or anytime you're stressed: Whether it's your boss, your husband, your kid or burly men carrying a straightjacket with your name on it, take a deep breath before you respond! It's guaranteed to calm you down. Plan ahead to protect yourself and your loved ones by taking charge of your health–both mental and physical. Choosing a healthy diet, supplements and getting some exercise* can send your PMS packing. At the very least, it will minimize the effects and maximize your wellbeing.