Nailing down PMS

Ok so out of the blue today, I'm crazy. Like just.....crazy. For no reason. Emotional and neurotic and insecure and blah!! So I looked at my calander today, and I am exactly in the middle of my cycles. I think my PMS is starting.....I think I'm finally recognizing it.....after 17 years of having a period. Hmmmm. Any thoughts or commentary? Lol.....please tell me someone relates to this sudden onset of insanity!

Hi Raynaadi

For my PMS I take Evening Primrose Oil and eat chocolate....and rest. I haven't figured out how to deal with the neurotic phase of PMS.

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Women who have premenstrual syndrome (PMS) experience a variety of physical and emotional symptoms that occur each month from 2 to 14 days before their menstrual cycle. The symptoms usually disappear once the cycle begins. PMS may begin at any age and ends after menopause. Approximately 75 percent of women experience PMS to some degree, with 20 to 50 percent finding that symptoms disrupt their daily activities, and 3 to 5 percent becoming incapacitated.

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Signs and Symptoms

PMS is often accompanied by the following signs and symptoms.

Abnormal bloating and weight gain
Breast swelling, tenderness
Mood swings
Depression and anxiety
Skin disorders
Changes in appetite, food cravings
Changes in interest in sex
Headaches, backaches, cramps
Inability to concentrate, loss of interest in usual activities, confusion

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What Causes It?

While the exact cause of PMS is unknown, the most popular theories include hormonal changes (estrogen excess or progesterone deficiency), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), vitamin B6 deficiency, abnormal metabolism of prostaglandin (hormone-like substances), excessive fluid retention, and endorphin (a substance in the brain that provides pain relief) withdrawal.

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Who's Most At Risk?

Women with a history of the following conditions are at a higher-than-average risk for having PMS.

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
Depressive, mood, anxiety, or bipolar disorders (family history, too)
Postpartum depression or psychotic episodes
High stress

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What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with PMS, you should see your health care provider. He or she can help make a diagnosis and guide you in determining which treatment or combination of therapies will work best for you.

You'll need to chart your symptoms and their severity daily for one to two months. Your provider will take a detailed history of symptoms, do a physical and gynecologic examination to rule out other medical conditions, and conduct a psychosocial evaluation. Certain laboratory and imaging studies may be used, such as a Pap smear, complete blood count, chemistry screen, fasting blood glucose test, and thyroid studies.

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Treatment Options

Prevention

Reducing stress, increasing exercise, and making dietary changes around the time of menstruation can prevent PMS symptoms from worsening.

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Treatment Plan

Preventive measures and, in some cases, drug therapy, are most often used for treating PMS.

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Drug Therapies

Your provider may prescribe the following medications.

Diuretics, for bloating and water retention
Analgesics, for headaches and cramps
Beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers, to prevent the onset of migraine headaches
Prostaglandin inhibitors for painful menstruation
Spironolactone for skin conditions
Medications that block ovulation
Bromocriptine for breast soreness
Anti-anxiety medications
Antidepressants
Progesterone, for relief of symptoms
Women who are planning to become pregnant should avoid medications such as prostaglandin inhibitors, diuretics, spironolactone, and danazol.

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Surgical and Other Procedures

Women whose symptoms are severe and do not respond to treatment may need to undergo a hysterectomy, including removal of the ovaries, followed by estrogen replacement therapy.

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Complementary and Alternative Therapies

A comprehensive treatment plan for PMS may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies.

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Nutrition

Decreasing or avoiding caffeine (including chocolate), saturated fats, sugar, salt, dairy, meat, poultry, and alcohol can help reduce the intensity and duration of symptoms. Nutritional deficiencies may be addressed with these supplements.

Vitamin B6 (100 to 200 mg a day) with B-complex (50 to 100 mg a day)
Magnesium (400 mg a day)
Vitamin E (400 to 600 IU a day), especially with breast tenderness
Essential fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6 (3,000 to 4,000 mg a day for three months, then decrease dose by 1,000 mg every two months)
Chromium (250 mcg one to two times per day) to reduce sugar cravings

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Herbs

Herbal remedies may be helpful in alleviating symptoms. The following herbs should be used in combination, either as tincture (60 drops three times a day or tea (1 cup three to four times a day):

Chaste tree (Vitex agnus castus) (175 mg a day)
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) (100 to 600 mg a day)
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) (150 to 300 mg one to four times a day, or before bed for insomnia) or kava kava (Piper methysticum) (200 mg one to four times a day, or before bed). Reduce dose of either herb if drowsiness occurs.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) (200 to 600 mg a day)
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and/or leaves as a tea or tincture can be used as a diuretic. If you have liver problems, consult with an experienced practitioner before using dandelion.
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) (300 mg two to three times per day) for depression associated with PMS. Must be taken consistently throughout the month; direct sun exposure may cause rashes in some people.
Herbs are generally available as dried extracts (pills, capsules, or tablets), teas, or tinctures (alcohol extraction, unless otherwise noted). Dose for teas is 1 heaping tsp./cup water steeped for 10 minutes (roots need 20 minutes). For PMS, teas or tinctures are preferred.

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Homeopathy

There have been few studies examining the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. Professional homeopaths, however, may recommend one or more of the following treatments for PMS based on their knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. In homeopathic terms, a person's constitution is his or her physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.

Chamomilla — for intense menstrual pain; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are extremely irritable, angry, and have frequent mood swings
Cimicifuga — for feelings of hysteria, frustration, and being overwhelmed; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who have labor-type pains that migrate from one side of the body to the other and may involve the back or even sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the body; extends from the lower back down through the legs and knees)
Colocynthis — for cramps that are relieved by bending forward, abdominal massage, and warmth (such as a heating pad); this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are extremely irritable and restless
Ignatia — for emotional symptoms such as grief, panic, and mood swings; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who feel particularly vulnerable
Lachesis — for individuals who tend to be annoyed, caustic, talkative, and envious and whose pain and bloating is worse on the left side; symptoms tend to worsen upon awakening in the morning and with exposure to heat or light pressure; symptoms improve dramatically when menstruation begins
Lycopodium — for bloating with backaches and gas that are the worst during early evening and in warm weather
Magnesia phos — for sharp cramps that are relieved by bending forward, abdominal massage, and warmth (such as a heating pad), but are worsened by cold air
Nux vomica — for individuals who are extremely irritable, confrontational, and feel nauseous
Pulsatilla — for irregular periods with cramps, bloating, and/or mood swings as the predominant symptoms; an appropriate candidate for Pulsatilla is gentle and yielding but clingy and cries easily; may have nausea and water retention that is aggravated by heat
Sepia — for bloating, mood swings, constipation, drowsiness, and irritability

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Acupuncture

Although scientific evidence regarding the use of acupuncture for PMS is lacking, this condition is frequently treated by acupuncturists. Acupuncturists treat people with PMS based on an individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of qi located in various meridians. In the case of PMS, a qi deficiency is usually detected in the liver and/or spleen meridians. Many treatments include moxibustion (a technique in which the herb mugwort is burned over specific acupuncture points), and qualified practitioners may also recommend herbal treatment or dietary modifications.

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Chiropractic

Some studies suggest that chiropractic spinal manipulation may be effective for women with PMS. Women with PMS have been found to have a higher rate of spine-related problems (such as tenderness and muscle weakness) than those who do not have PMS. In one study, researchers found that women with PMS experience a significant decrease in symptoms after receiving spinal manipulation and soft tissue therapy compared to those who do not receive the chiropractic treatment. The researchers note that these effects may be short-lived and that monthly chiropractic treatment would probably be needed to maintain these positive results.

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Prognosis/Possible Complications

Severe PMS can disrupt a woman's life. Psychological and emotional support as well as treatment of the physical symptoms may help.

Web site: http://planetorganic.ca/goodforyou/healthtools

Cool, thanks! This is like 2 weeks before my period.....and I'm already experiencing it.

I absolutely relate! My PMS is pretty mild now, but when I was in my 20s and taking Ortho 777 birth control pills, my PMS was much worse. I would get very weepy and moody (and I'm normally not an emotional person). I once started sobbing in front of a dining room full of dinner guests because my boyfriend asked me if we had any orange juice. I felt SO bad that I hadn't thought ahead and considered that someone might want orange juice. LOL. My boyfriend went to the kitchen with me, hugged me and said, "Sweetie, is your period going to start tomorrow?" So, that just made me mad! How dare he invalidate my strong feelings about orange juice by suggesting I was hormonal.

At least you've reached a point where you RECOGNIZE that you're having PMS while it's happening. It took me a long time to get to that point. Fortunately, once I changed my birth control pill for a progestin-only pill, my moody PMS symptoms went away. I don't take any birth control now, and my PMS is relatively minor now. I just get more down (or, if I'm depressed, more depressed) the day or two before my period. I also get insomnia the night before my period starts and my IBS acts up. I don't get the mood swings anymore though.

You should talk to your doctor about it and see if he/she has any suggestions for you. One of my roommates in college had bad PMS (she would go into fits of rage and have temper tantrums and crying jags). Evening primrose oil ended up being the solution for her. I think she kept it in the fridge and took it every day (I could be wrong). Anyway, it took her symptoms away.

Just a note about St. John's Wort (from personal experience). If you're taking birth control pills, St. John's Wort can interfere with their efficacy. I found that out the hard way. I got pregnant while on the pill (and I took my pill at the same time every day). I was SHOCKED when I got pregnant. It turned out it was because I had been taking St. John's Wort.

There are a lot of great natural remedies out there, but it's important to check and make sure that none of them are counterindicated with prescription meds you might be taking.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Pilatus said:
Hi Raynaadi

For my PMS I take Evening Primrose Oil and eat chocolate....and rest. I haven't figured out how to deal with the neurotic phase of PMS.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

- on the chocolate thing helping....... but make it DARK CHOCOLATE - per my GP.

I buy a large Hershey bar and start eating 2 pcs per day about 2 or 3 days before my period is to start - and it really helps, and I have PMDD (not just PMS).

You can do a search with PMDD on here and you can read all the other post of this subject. Good Luck!!

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Yes, PMS is real and over five million women are in the dark over the severe hormonal imbalance affecting them 10 days out of every month. They too are frightened by the violent fluctuations in mood, depression, and weight gain – women do not always what is causing this to happen to them.

I like this description I came across on PMS and the emotional phase a woman goes through using the seasons.

PHASE 1 – The Spring Phase:
The phase starts with the blood flow of the menstrual cycle and is dominated by estrogen. During this time a woman feels bright and fresh like spring. (This is after the cramps and aches associated with menstruation have stopped) New surges of life burst inside her. She is positive, assertive, outgoing, happy, energetic and well coordinated. Little threatens her, and she can accomplish almost any thing. Her relationship wither husband and kids are delightful and relaxed. The tension she felt prior to her period vanishes, and life is a whole new ball game.

PHASE 2 – The Summer Phase:
This a peaceful, happy, affirming, creative time of the month. A woman has the “warm fuzzies” for her family and friends and is generally pleased with life. She is a bit less assertive than in the spring phase but able to accomplish much. Her body is moving toward liberating an egg for fertilization. Estrogen continues to dominate.

PHASE 3 – The Midsummer Phase
Midsummer is that time during which ovulation occurs. The egg leaves the ovary for possible fertilization. A woman usually feels euphoric, motherly, peaceful, sensual, and integrative. Everything in life seems absolutely wonderful. She loves her husband and kids, who can do no wrong. All of these feelings are influenced by progesterone.

PHASE 4 – The Fall Phase:
Immediately after ovulation a woman begins to slowly lose energy as she enters the fall phase. Slight depression or the doldrums set in and she isn’t as enthusiastic about life as she was a few days ago. Suddenly her husband and children don’t seem quite so lovable. Assertiveness is a thing of the past and her confidence is droopy. It is generally suspected that during the fall and winter phase, hormones fluctuations are responsible for a host of unpleasant symptoms.

PHASE 5 – The Winter Phase:
.... PMS & PMDD TIME -

Winter sets in around the fourth week of the menstrual month, and many women become downright nasty. There are typical symptoms associated with this phase: sluggish, depressed, irritable, weepy, outburst of emotions, jumpiness, expressed resentment, expressed hostility, suspicious, frustration, sudden moods swings, irrational, supersensitive, abnormally hungry, crying over everything (the list goes on). Fortunately the menstrual flow is only a few days away and a woman will feel quite different once this begins.

* * * * * * * *

Rhapsody......THANK YOU!!!! I wish I could sticky this here hahaha!!! I am SO in the fall phase!!!! To a T!!!!!!! Now it makes sense!!!!!!!!!

Why am I finally noticing my cycles after all these years? LOL......last night I had to stop for chocolate and chips, and I was so emotional. Makes sense now. So the next two weeks I'll be in a danger zone. Wish I could put a red light on my forehead to warn everyone!!!!!

I think this has all gotten worse and more noticeable since I was dx'd with MS. I'm not sure why that would be, but I've noticed it. Maybe because I'm becoming more away of my body because of it. I don't know. I'm not on any birth control, so maybe thats part of it too. Hmmmm.

UNDERSTANDING............................... is half the battle.

P.S.

SARAFEM is GREAT when it comes to a HELPING AID with PMS..... Check with your Doctor about it - if the problems begin to interfer with your daily activity & relationships.

Sarafem can be taken all month long if needed - or just during your cycle to help ease the emotional upsets... some ladies take it 2 weeks out of every month - during the fall and winter stages.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Cool! Never even heard of it! Thanks!

Oh how I can relate. Over the years my PMS now is starting about 2 wks before starting time. And then the closer I get to my start date the more my symptoms increase....some months are better than others and I think that is due to stress levels and activity. It just SUCKS....that's how I sum it up....LOL
Snow