Treating and Relieving PMS Symptoms

To treat PMS, which is the syndrome of Pre-Menstrual Tension, there are medications that help relieve both the symptoms of irritability and sadness, such as fluoxetine and sertraline, and symptoms of pain and discomfort, such as ibuprofen or mefenamic acid, better known as ponstan, for example.

Women who seek permanent relief from symptoms, in addition to medications, should also have healthy habits, by improving nutrition and avoiding foods that worsen swelling and irritability, with too much salt or frying, and physical activity.

There are also natural alternatives in combating the symptoms of this syndrome, such as the use of teas and acupuncture, which may be great ways to help with treatment with medicines and avoid the onset of discomforts of this period.

Treatment with medicines

The medications used to treat PMS seek relief from the main symptoms, which are irritability, sadness, bloating in the body and headaches, and appear between 5 and 10 days before menstruation. They should be prescribed by the general practitioner or gynecologist, and may be of various types, such as:

• Hormonal pills, such as oral contraceptives, inhibit ovulation and hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle, and therefore alleviate the symptoms of this period;
• Anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen and Ponstan, work by relieving headaches and cramps in the belly, pains in the breasts or legs, very common at this stage of the menstrual cycle;
• Antiemetics, such as Dimenhydrin or Bromopride, may be helpful in controlling nausea, which many women may experience at this stage;
• Antidepressants, such as Sertraline and Fluoxetine, treat the emotional symptoms of PMS, which are mostly sadness, irritability, insomnia and anxiety. They can be used continuously or for 12 to 14 days before menstruation;
• Anxiolytics, such as Alprazolam, Lorazepam, have soothing properties, which relieve symptoms of tension, anxiety and irritability. They should be used in cases that have not improved with antidepressants, and should not be used on a daily basis to avoid addiction.

There are women who have very severe symptoms and have a more severe form of PMS, which is the Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder, and in these cases the treatment is done in the same way, but larger doses of the medications and follow up with a psychiatrist may be necessary, which will adjust the medications and do therapy to control the symptoms.

Natural Treatment

Natural or home treatments for PMS may be enough to relieve milder symptoms, but may also be great as a complement to medication treatment for women with more severe symptoms. Some examples are:

• Physical exercise, such as walking or cycling, decreases symptoms of tension and anxiety due to the release of serotonin and endorphin and also improves circulation, which fights the swelling of this period;
• Supplementation of vitamins calcium, magnesium and vitamin B6 through pharmacy or manipulated multivitamins, or foods such as vegetables, dried fruit or whole grains, which help restore vitamin and mineral levels that are low in this period;
• Medicinal plants such as evening primrose oil, dong quai, kava kava, ginkgo biloba and chaste extract are used to relieve many PMS symptoms such as irritability and pain in the breasts;
• Food rich in fish, whole grains, fruits, vegetables help balance the body's vitamin and mineral levels and decrease fluid retention, fighting swelling and discomfort. There are also foods that should be avoided, such as canned, inlaid and high in salt, as they worsen symptoms. Learn more about foods that are excellent home remedies for PMS;
• Acupuncture can be used because it helps to decrease hormonal fluctuations and anxiety, by the ability to balance the vital energy of the body;
• Massage, reflexology and herbal medicine are effective relaxation techniques to relieve tension and anxiety;
• Homeopathy, which is made with the use of homeopathic remedies, can aid in balancing the functioning of the circulation and the liver and prevent the onset of swelling and tension.

See more tips on tackling the main symptoms of PMS.