I Need Help With... PMS
What can I do about premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
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I wish you didn't have to go through this every month! |
Nobody is exactly sure what causes PMS. We do know that the symptoms can be all over the map – from just a little bother to pains so severe you wonder if you’ll make it through the day. If you’ve got bad PMS, you may even be hoping for early menopause.
First, PMS Symptoms…
PMS symptoms or signs of PMS occur in the week or two weeks before your period and usually stop after your period starts. Stress can make your PMS worse, but it’s not a known cause of PMS.
PMS often includes both physical and emotional symptoms. Common symptoms are:
- PMS cramps or cramping
- Pimples (acne)
- Swelling or tender breasts
- Fatigue
- Sleeping problems
- Constipation or an upset stomach
- Headache or backache
- Craving certain kinds of food (it’s not just pregnancy)
- Moodiness
- Or PMS depression
Here’s a great tracking form from www.4women.gov. Just keep track of your symptoms, and when you come in to see us we can review this with you. That way, we’ll all know that you’re receiving personalized care that applies to YOUR PMS symptoms.
PMS Treatment and PMS Medication
Believe us when we say that women have tried everything under the sun from the dawn of time to relieve PMS symptoms.
Nothing works for every woman. If your PMS isn’t too bad, you may not need to see us. Just try to de-stress your life, take multivitamins (make sure they have folic acid) and a calcium supplement for your bones. These may ease your PMS symptoms.
Note that the amount of calcium you need decreases as you age, so don’t overdo it. Call us if you have questions.
Exercise, as it does with most things, is always helpful. Regular exercise, good, healthy food, lots of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains are always good for you. If they relieve your PMS symptoms, then so much the better.
Try to get lots of sleep… 8 hours a night is good. Try journaling, yoga, and other ways to keep the stress levels down. And most of all, if you smoke, we highly recommend that you quit. See us if you want help quitting smoking. We’ve got several ways we can help make it easier to quit.
Feel free to take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen to help ease the PMS cramps, headaches, backaches or breast tenderness. But be aware that these can cause damage to your kidneys if over-used.
Finally, we can sometimes prescribe various medicines to help ease your PMS symptoms, including birth control pills, which stop ovulation.
When to call us about PMS Symptoms
If you have questions, are concerned about the severity of the symptoms, or wonder if what you’re experiencing is unusual, then please call to make an appointment. Your health and well-being is our top priority, so we’ll do everything we can to help you feel better… faster.