Premenstrual Syndrome
What is Premenstrual Syndrome?
Premenstrual syndrome is a set of physical and psychological symptoms that typically begin about a week to 10 days before a woman gets her monthly menstrual period.
Symptoms range from woman to woman and may include:
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Pain in the lower belly or back
- Fluid retention
- Sleep problems
- Indigestion
- Feelings of tiredness, irritability, sadness, insecurity or anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
Luckily, in most cases, PMS symptoms usually go away again when a woman’s period starts.
Who is Affected?
It is estimated that at least 85 percent of menstruating women have at least one PMS symptom as part of their monthly cycle. Most of these women have fairly mild symptoms that don’t need treatment, while others (about three to eight percent) have a more severe form of PMS.
PMS occurs more often in women who:
- Are between their late 20s and early 40s
- Have at least one child
- Have a family history of depression
- Have a past medical history of either post-partum depression or a mood disorder
What are Options for Treatment?
At the Magaziner Center for Wellness, before we embark on a treatment program, we evaluate a woman’s hormone levels and work to rectify any imbalances of DHEA, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone using bio-identical hormone therapy. We also look at potential allergies/sensitivity to hormones, as some women are sensitive to their own progesterone, a condition that can result in PMS-related migraines and other symptoms. When this type of sensitivity is identified, we use sublingual desensitization using customized drops made with bioidentical progesterone in liquid form that are then orally administered.
Lifestyle changes often help a patient manage their symptoms, as well. We recommend women get plenty of sleep, cut down on alcohol and caffeine, stick to a low salt diet, refrain from smoking and incorporate exercise and relaxation techniques into their daily life.
Lastly, we utilize homeopathic treatments and nutritional supplementation to help alleviate symptoms. For instance, calcium and magnesium supplements and vitamin B6 have proven quite effective among our patients at the Center.