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Self-Care for PMS Versus Medical Treatment

Once you have the diagnosis of premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) there will be a discussion between you and your doctor concerning how to best relieve your symptoms. There are several options of care including self-care at home; medical treatments including medications and alternative care methods. All of these options have had success with relieving PMS symptoms. You may decide to experiment around until you find what works for you, or you may settle on a combination from each of the options.

Self-Care at Home:

There are many home remedies to try that have been successful at relieving symptoms of PMS including making dietary changes to lessen the affects of bloating and water retention such as avoiding foods that contain salt, limiting the salt that you use as seasoning, avoiding candy and other sweets, avoiding sodas especially the sugary ones. Vitamin and mineral supplements have been shown to be helpful in reducing several symptoms of PMS including taking Vitamin E (300 - 400 IU) per day, taking calcium (1,200 mg) per day, and magnesium (200 mg per day) taken along with Vitamin B6 (50 mg) to reduce anxiety. You can also eat sources of Vitamin B6 in foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, seafood such as oysters, meats, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.

Exercise has also proven to be beneficial to relax taut muscles and also to improve mood.

Muscle relaxation techniques and massage therapy can also be beneficial.

Chamomile tea, a soak in a warm tub and a heating pad can also do wonders. Just be careful not to use high heat and do not fall asleep with the heating pad on. It is also important not to use Ben Gay muscle rub along with a heating pad.

Medical Treatments:

Your doctor may prescribe medications to bring relief such as anti-inflammatory can be used to reduce the amount of prostaglandins in the woman's body which will reduce the symptoms that have to do with inflammatory reactions such as the PMS symptoms cramping, breast pain and tenderness, headache, and swelling. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended and the new type of NSAID the Cox-2 inhibitors that need a prescription in order to use them. These Cox-2 inhibitors are known to not be as risky for stomach discomfort or for stomach ulcers like the NSAIDs have. The Cox-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib (Vioxx) was voluntarily withdrawn from the market because of its association with an increased rate of cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes. There is always a risk of potentially dangerous side effects when using any drug.

Other medications that may be prescribed are hormones such as Synarel and Lupron, or Danazol, anti-anxiety drugs such as Benzodiazepines and Xanax. Benzodiazepines can be addictive so discuss the use of this drug carefully with your doctor before beginning to use this treatment. Anti-anxiety and antidepressants are also used in the treatment of PMS as well as diuretics.