PMS

The emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms of PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, affect 40 million women during the one to two weeks prior to their menstrual periods. This syndrome causes 5 million women to visit their doctors each year, and is responsible for 150 different symptoms. Furthermore, this syndrome can be difficult to identify and treat, as symptoms may vary from month to month, and some sufferers may even experience months with no PMS symptoms at all.

Before we discuss some treatment and prevention options, let's go over a list of common premenstrual syndrome symptoms:

EMOTIONAL & BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Panic attacks
• Tension
• Lack of coordination
• Decreased work performance
• Feeling "out of control"

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS:

• Headache
• Migraine
• Fluid retention
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Painful joints
• Backache
• Abdominal cramping
• Heart palpitations
• Weight gain

PMS was first described in 1931 by an American neurologist, and today, over 75 years later, we still do not know definitively what causes the disorder. It is thought that PMS symptoms stem from hormonal shifts during a woman's monthly menstrual cycle, and that women with PMS either have greater hormone shifts, or are more susceptible to normal shifts. Furthermore, premenstrual syndrome may be at least partially hereditary.

Many self-care strategies have been shown to prevent PMS symptoms. These include:

• Restriction of certain dietary ingredients: salt, simple sugars, caffeine, alcohol, and fats.
• Daily diet modification: try eating 6 small meals (high in complex carbohydrates) throughout the day to maintain steady blood sugar level.
• Vitamin and mineral supplementation: B6, B complex, magnesium, Vitamin E & Vitamin C may ease some of the symptoms of PMS.
• Increase physical activity level: exercise produces endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, reduces stress, increases blood circulation and improves mood. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes, at least 3 days per week.
• Stress reduction and management: Try some leisurely activities, yoga, meditation or a discussion with a close friend to help reduce tension and anxiety.

Some women have found great relief from PMS symptoms through a medical approach, although many of these treatments have neither been approved by the FDA for PMS treatment nor clinically proven to be effective. Effectiveness and worth of medical treatments must be weighed by each individual against possible side effects to determine their legitimacy.

• Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This group of anti-depressants, including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and venlafaxine (Effexor), has been effective for some women, but has not been FDA approved for premenstrual syndrome treatment.
• GnRH analogs are drugs that inhibit ovulation and eliminate the hormonal shifts thought to cause PMS symptoms. Like SSRIs, they are not FDA approved, and may contribute to osteoporosis.
• Oral Contraceptives. For some women, these have worked to eliminate symptoms, but others have experienced no change, or an increase in PMS symptoms.
• Diuretics. Although they may reduce water retention, they do not combat other symptoms and may cause electrolyte imbalance.

A safe, highly effective all-natural product we have recently discovered is Fermalite. With a triad of natural ingredients (Fennel, Pulsatilla and Melissa), Femalite successfully decreases premenstrual symptoms just by using it for a few days prior to your menstrual period.

Follow this link to Fermalite to see if it's the answer to your premenstrual problems.

Though most PMS symptoms are successfully treated at home, here are some instances when you should see a doctor:

• If your period is extremely painful.
• If your previously predictable period becomes irregular for 6 months or more in row.
• If you experience very heavy bleeding, which may lead to anemia.

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