What is the treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

While we can’t really control the little bit of genetics and the PMS brain we may have inherited, we can certainly do a lot about our lifestyle, nutritional support and how we nurture our body and reduce PMS! For over ten years I have seen this platform of support transform women with PMS! Consider a natural approach first!

VITAMINS: Supplementing with high quality key Multi-Vitamins, Minerals, including b-complex, calcium and magnesium, vitamin D- are all amazing support options that make a huge difference in how we feel.

HERBS: There are various herbal formulas if you desire a botanical approach for even more support, but quality matters often to get the best results so a trusted source is crucial. I am seeing amazing results with women using MACA. Others do well with DIM, Chasteberry, isoflavones and Don Quai. Often a quality herbal blend with variety works best.

HORMONES: Some women find low dose natural progesterone cream from health food stores a great fast support that helps reduce PMS. This helps with estrogen dominance type of PMS in particular.  Natural Progesterone seems to promote the calming response in many women, thru its influence on Serotonin and Gaba in particular in the brain, it is very different than synthetic progestin.

There are also more complex combinations of bioidentical hormones that can be considered for women who need higher potency or more than just progesterone to feel balanced. We have various articles on bhrt at womentowomen.com if that interests you- and even using hormones, the nutritional support measures are critical as well!

DIET AND EXERCISE: I urge women looking to remedy PMS-  to curb the 4 C’s: Candy, Coffee, Cocktails and Couch time! A healthy lifestyle to curb the 4 C’s helps tremendously to reduce PMS.   Reducing sugar and carbohydrates is critical for health and hormone balance. Cutting down or eliminating coffee reduces the stress response and promotes more stable blood sugar and mood.  Saying no to daily cocktails and alcohol as well as getting off the couch, to be active daily will help burns off steam, and stimulate endorphins to feel good from the brain!

Maybe you can take this on, or maybe you could use some help? We have an amazing support staff of advisors, coaches and nurse educators at the Personal Program to help women make progress they are looking for- using our Personal Program for Hormone Imbalance and soon our PMS program in 2012~. Check out our PMS articles at womentowomen.com

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects 5% of women in the USA. This is considered to be a biologically based mood disorder. It is unique among mood disorders: it has an abrupt onset (symptoms come on within several hours), it typically last for a discrete period of time (for some women it lasts only a day…for others 6 days, but generally the same number of days each month), it has an equally abrupt end, with symptoms going away within hours. It is also the only mood disorder that can be treated with antidepressants and symptom relief can occur within hours (all other mood disorders, if treated with antidepressants, require 2-6 weeks of treatment before there is significant reduction in symptoms).

This disorder is felt to be set in motion by changes in female sex hormones resulting in an abrupt decrease in serotonin in the brain. Symptoms include depression, irritability and/or anxiety. Treatments include: 1. Enhancing quality of sleep by avoiding use of caffeine and alcohol during this period of time, 2. Exercise (exercise increased brain levels of serotonin): the exercise must be aerobic (intensity enough to cause some huffing and puffing) however the intensity can be in keeping with one’s level of fitness; e.g. brisk walking for those who are not as fit or jogging/running for those who are more fit). 3. Increasing calcium intake to 1200 mg a day (the amount found in 4 Tums tablets), and 4. Antidepressants: the ones that are effective must impact serotonin (includes most antidepressants, except Wellbutrin), taken only for the period of time when symptoms are present. It is not clear whether or not over-the-counter antidepressants (SAMe and St. John’s wort) are effective in treating PMDD.

It is important to note that this disorder can cause significant emotional suffering, treatments are effective, and the mood changes are not due to psychological problems; it is a biologically-based mood disorder.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed to ease cramps and breast tenderness.
• Birth control pills may be prescribed to relieve your symptoms by stopping ovulation and regulating your hormone level.
• Natural progesterone therapy may help some women. Consult with your primary healthcare practitioner about this.
• A medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) injection can be used to temporarily stop ovulation and menstruation in really severe cases.
• Antidepressants can be used to help some severe emotional symptoms of PMS.

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