Premenstrual syndrome
- PMS -- is defined as a
recurrent, cyclical set of physical and behavioral symptoms that occur 7 to 14
days before the menstrual cycle and are troublesome enough to interfere with
some aspect of a woman's life. A severe form of PMS is called PMDD, premenstrual
dysphoric disorder.
Symptoms of
PMS
Headache, mood changes, anxiety, irritability, overeating and food cravings,
insomnia or hypersomnia (oversleeping), breast tenderness, and bloating.
Natural PMS Remedy
PMS treatment varies between each woman. Each person with PMS is unique, and sometimes it is nearly impossible to
predict who will respond to which nutrient, and in what dosage and timing. But,
these natural herbs and supplements are worth a try as you discuss these options
with your physician. I will update this page as more information becomes
available.
Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter at Physician Formulas. Twice a month you will receive an email with a review of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics, including natural treatment of PMS, and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Not recommended for PMS
Evening primrose oil has not been shown to be
an effective PMS treatment.
PMS Symptoms
Over 100 PMS symptoms have been reported. Some of these PMS symptoms
include anxiety, headache, fatigue, a feeling of being out of control,
depression, and uncontrollable crying spells. PMS symptoms may vary from month
to month and there may even be symptom-free months. No women present with all
the PMS symptoms at all times. PMS symptoms may be both physical and emotional.
Additional PMS symptoms include fluid retention, constipation, painful joints,
backache, abdominal cramping, heart palpitations and weight gain. Often there is
decreased work or social performance and altered
libido.
Standard Medical PMS Treatment
Pharmaceutical drugs that may help
PMS include: naproxen for cramps, and spironolactone, perhaps SSRIs.
Progesterone has not been found to be effective in PMS.
PMS emails
Turns out SAM-e works well for me to reduce my PMS symptoms.