Treatment for PMS | Premenstrual Syndrome Treatment

Treatment for PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)

For the majority of women, the symptoms are a minor inconvenience you can recognise, anticipate and deal with yourself. However if need be you can talk to your GP or Family Planning Clinic and Well-Woman Clinic are other sources of help.

For a minority of women, PMS is serious enough to affect work, daily life and relationships. If this sounds like you, you should see your GP to discuss your problems, possibly with a view to some treatment.

Treatment will depend upon the nature of the symptoms and their severity. For many women, simple changes to diet and lifestyle. A suitable diet sheet is available via the National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome (NAPS) at www.pms.org.uk.

Lifestyle changes for PMS Relief

Diet

Eat smaller meals more frequently to help reduce bloating.
Avoid eating salty foods to limit bloating and fluid retention.
Drink lots of water (about six to eight glasses a day). Being dehydrated can make headaches and tiredness worse.
Eat lots of complex carbohydrates, which can be found in foods such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
To improve physical and psychological symptoms of PMS, eat calcium-rich foods, such as cheese and milk. If you cannot eat dairy products, try calcium-fortified soya alternatives.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can affect your mood and energy levels.
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals, and may ease your PMS symptoms. Aim to eat at least five portions a day.

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Exercise

Exercise for half an hour, at least five times a week (this is the minimum recommended amount for most adults). Exercise improves your overall health and can help to alleviate depression and tiredness, and enhances your sense of well-being.
Stretching and breathing exercises, such as yoga and pilates, can help you sleep better and reduce your stress levels.

Take time to try relaxation exercises (you can download these from our site click here) this will enhance your sense of well-being.

Complementary medicines for PMS
There are many non-prescribed complementary treatments and supplements for PMS, and many women find them helpful in easing their symptoms. However, there is little research to back up their effectiveness. Most of the existing studies have shown mixed results. Examples of complementary therapies that may reduce some symptoms of PMT are magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin E.

Other disciplines might be helpful include aromatherapy. This may help you feel relaxed and help your general sense of well-being and therefore help you to manage the changes in your lifestyle. Always see your GP before taking any complementary medicine or supplement. If you decide to take a complementary treatment, take one at a time so you know if it works for you.

Psychological therapy
If you have psychological symptoms, such as feeling depressed or emotional, it may help to talk to a health professional. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the term for a number of therapies that are designed to help solve problems such as anxiety and depression. A cognitive behavioural therapist can help you learn new ways of managing some of your symptoms.

Medical treatment for PMS
If your PMS is severe or you have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), you may wish to try a medical treatment. However, there is no single treatment that works for everyone. Your choice of treatment will be based on your symptoms and how severe they are, and the possible side effects of the medication.

Medical treatments include:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief, such as ibuprofen,
oral contraceptives (‘The Pill’) regulates symptoms of PMS. They stabilise hormone levels, which can help to control mood swings.
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine and sertraline are antidepressants that can be taken daily to relieve tiredness, food cravings, sleep problems, and combating depression. and
gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues are synthetic hormones that create a temporary menopause and stop your periods by blocking the production of oestrogen and progesterone. These are only for severe PMS, as they have a number of side effects similar to those found in the menopause.

Also see:-
Premenstrual (PMS) Symptoms

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