I suffered from a hormonal imbalance (causing a huge rash of symptoms) after stopping the pill, and my naturopath doctor gave me three things to take that naturally balance hormones…

“DIM” (Diindolylmethane) pills, a compound extracted from broccoli that metabolizes the “bad” excess estrogen that causes mood swings, weight-gain, painful periods, and cancer

“I-Throid” iodine pills that balance thyroid function

Natural bio-identical progesterone (drops or cream) from wild yams that balances both estrogen and testosterone and has a profound calming effect and positive effect on mood.

All of them can be found in natural food or supplement stores.

Omega three is good for the brain. Eat some flaxseed and walnuts to help boost your brain.

@veganistdestrox, I know what it feels like when I’m a little low on iron when this comes around – more pale, more cold, and more sluggish – but that’s not what I’m feeling with brain fog. I haven’t had to deal with any lower iron symptoms in a very long time, I eat plenty of iron rich foods.

So far, I’ve just been taking a multivitamin plus a lot of vegetables and whole grains, which seems to be working just fine. Again, caffeine is a pretty big no when you’re on your period. And water, though it may not clear up fogginess, is definitely necessary if you don’t want to feel bloated.

Get a good night’s sleep.

Magnesium is the best thing I can recommend. It’s good for your brain and helps balance everything out. Drink lots of water too. Sorry hun, I would say try 5-HTP but that gave me night terrors, plus it’s hard to find offline.

Look at your diet and see if you’re missing anything. If you have pretty heavy periods you may be losing a lot of iron which can cause you feel this way. Try getting more iron in your diet, especially right before your period and during.

Try guarana. It’s high in caffeine but is well known for increasing mental alertness. And good luck!

drink plenty of water and take a nice hot shower/bath in the morning, have a light comfortable breakfast and make sure your feeling relaxed and good before you start your day. good luck i hope you get it i know what it feels like to go for an interview at a job you really want =]

From what I’ve read, whole grains and leafy greens are supposed to help us focus better. I’m not aware of any special remedies. Good luck!

I’ve heard caffeine only makes menstrual symptoms worse, so I’ve been cutting back this time around. But I have tried to just eat healthy for energy, and I’m definitely going to drink good amounts of water, thanks!

drink a lot of water, and shower the morning of in cold water. It should shock your system into reality. I know you get cold, but sometimes you have to suck it up, sorry. But if you are to cold, wear lots of layers and drink, like silencescreams said, coffee or if you dont like coffee starbucks has refreshers with caffiene in it (i think they are vegan) hope i can help, periods suck!

If you want just a quick fix for alterness that is temporary you could try consuming caffiene beforehand

So I recently secured an interview at my city’s raw vegan smoothie bar! It’s the best job I could ever hope for and I REALLY want to get it – there are few vegan oriented places in town, I really love making smoothies, and on top of that I really need the job because I’m forced to move out and find my own place soon (I’m 18, it’s a reasonable time to leave, but I also come from a low-income single-parent household meaning I don’t have any of the resources needed to start a life on my own, i.e. parental support). My interview is tomorrow.

So what’s the problem?

I just started my period today. I’m not moody on my period, my cramps are often minor, but the biggest problem I have is this: I experience really bad mental blocks at the beginning of my cycle. So bad that I just feel like a stupid zombie, I can’t focus on anything, I need people to say things twice, I stumble around in a fog… I also get very cold and don’t look as strong as I usually do.

It’s just… it’s not fair. I’ve been on my period during exams once, and I nearly failed one. I need this job. I don’t know how to get rid of this mental fog. Even if people suggest taking painkillers or midol, and even if I wouldn’t take medication in the first place, pain killers are only to deal with cramps, bloating, headaches. Painkillers just numb you further, I’d become a full-time zombie.

How can I keep focused? Is there anything at all I can do to make sure I don’t completely screw up this interview?