PMS Guide |

A woman may be able to manage her PMS by herself, just as she is able to recognize and diagnose the condition. When symptoms are mild, “The Natural Approach to PMS Relief,” which comprises a change in a woman’s diet, vitamin regimen, and exercise routine, may provide her with an effective way to conquer PMS. In fact, no matter how grave a woman’s symptoms are—whether they are hardly noticeable or incapacitating—she should begin her cure with the natural approach.

A woman who suspects that she has premenstrual syndrome should consult a physician who treats PMS, or a counselor at a reputable PMS clinic. If a woman does not have access to a PMS specialist, she should visit her family doctor or gynecologist. An increasing number of physicians are making sincere efforts to understand the condition and a woman is very likely to find that her own physician can treat her with good judgment.

The medical approach, which includes hormonal therapy, is suggested for women who find that PMS is affecting the quality of their lives by creating symptoms that harm their personal relationships and prevent them from functioning normally. When the results of a woman’s blood tests are evaluated, a doctor might find a hormonal imbalance that may prompt him to advise the medical approach for a woman. There is also the possibility that a woman has begun self-treatment and found no relief. Her case might be so severe and her suffering so terrible that a doctor might start the medical approach even before all the blood tests are completed. Then, when the results of the blood tests are reported, he might modify the treatment accordingly. The decision to proceed with immediate medical treatment is often made when a doctor is faced with a health problem that he thinks might worsen during a wait for test results. For example, when a woman has a bladder infection, a doctor will begin treatment immediately if he judges that it would be detrimental to her health to wait for the urine culture and sensitivity test. When the urine analysis finally is reported, he might change her medication if test results show that she is not receiving the most effective therapy. In relation to PMS, the natural approach should be continued even if the medical treatment is altered. In fact, the natural approach should always be the first method chosen when an attempt to relieve PMS is made.

A woman should scrutinize the symptoms on her menstrual calendar and review the four categories¬PMT–A (anxiety, irritability, nervous tension), PMT–H (weight gain, abdominal bloating, fluid retention), PMT–C (food cravings, hypoglycemic symptoms), PMT–D (depression, withdrawal, lethargy, confusion, suicidal feelings)—to determine which division best describes her particular group of symptoms.

By understanding her individual syndrome, she will see that in her case certain treatments should be emphasized more than others. For example, if she feels that her problem is PMT—A (anxiety, irritability, nervous tension), methods of stress reduction may have greater priority than the lessening of her salt intake. For a woman with PMT—H (weight gain, abdominal bloating, fluid retention), salt reduction would be especially important. Still, no matter what form of premenstrual syndrome a woman is trying to control, all facets of the natural approach should be included in her treatment program. PMS is a systemic condition that can only be overcome with a mind/body treatment in which the entire woman is considered, not just individual symptoms.

However, it is important that the whole family understand whatever treatment is instituted and that they participate and help her stay on her course of recovery. The support of a woman’s loved ones is essential to her triumph over PMS.