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What Treatments Are Available To Women Suffering From PMS?

There are many treatments for PMS available for women suffering from the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Treatments can be diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and medications, supplemental and alternative remedies.

Some women choose to make dietary changes such as increasing carbohydrates and avoiding alcohol, salt, refined sugar and dietary fats. It has also been shown that exercising can help to reduce some of the symptoms of PMS. Reducing your intake of caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes can also reduce the symptoms of PMS.

There are some non-hormonal treatments that can have a positive effect on your PMS symptoms. Taking adequate amounts of Vitamin B6 can reduce mood swings and irritability. It is important to be careful not to take too high of a dose of Vitamin B6, so check with your doctor. Evening primrose oil (EPO) has also been used to slightly relieve women of premenstrual breast pain. Bromocriptine and cabergoline have also been shown to reduce the hormone prolactin, which stimulates breast soreness. These drugs should NOT be used long-term and should be used under a doctor's supervision. Diuretics or water tablets, can give some relief to those who suffer from ankle swelling, but will not have an effect on abdominal bloating. Diuretics should be taken in the lowest dose possible, and for only a few days each month. Antidepressants called SSRIs such as Prozac are often used in severe PMS cases where symptoms such as irritability, mood swings and depression are present.

Hormonal preparations have also been used to elevate progestogen in the bloodstream but scientific studies do not support the use of progestogens to treat PMS.

Some women experience increased PMS symptoms when oral contraceptive pills are used, so these pills should not be prescribed if the woman is experiencing any PMS symptoms.

There are some initial studies that show that the particular pill called Yasmin, shows some benefit to women with PMS, but more studies are needed.

Scientific studies do support the usage of Danazol which is a synthetic hormone based on male hormone (testosterone) and may be suitable to be used in low doses. There are side effects to using Danazol including body hair growth and other masculinising effects. Anyone using Danazol must avoid getting pregnant while on this medication.

Oestrogen patches, implants, and Mirena intra-uterine system (IUS):

Patches or implants can suppress ovulation and reduce the naturally occurring hormone fluctuations. There is some evidence that using these can benefit women with PMS but patches and implants should only be used when being seen by a gynecologist. Most women experience improvement in PMS symptoms when using the intra-uterine contraceptive device called, Mirena and this device can be combined with a patch or implant.

If the woman is experiencing severe PMS symptoms medications such as LHRH analogues or GnRH analogues (Zoladex, Prostap, and Synarel) can be prescribed by a gynecologist. These can only be used short-term and only up to 6 months. These medications can increase your risk for osteoporosis and must be used under medical supervision.

Women who have severe PMS symptoms and do not have any relief from natural or medicated treatments may consider having surgical removal of the ovaries, which will allow them to be free of PMS symptoms.