Relief for PMS

Non-hormonal therapy for PMS

1. Vitamins E
2. Vitamin B-6
3. Herbal remedies
4. Primrose oil
5. Calcium
6. Magnesium

Conventional clinical medicine has no grasp of the effects of complementary methods such as herbs, osteopathy, and acupuncture in aiding women with PMS symptoms. After the anecdotal discovery that herbs can relieve PMS symptoms, the reality still persists: there is no firm evidence, supported by scientific studies proving the merit of these claims or mechanisms by which herbs might work.

PMS sufferers have reported feeling much better in studies using evening primrose oil.

But in the August 1990 issue of the Medical Journal of Australia, researchers reported a more careful approach: They divided 38 women in two groups. One took primrose oil and one took a placebo. Both groups reported the same improvement. Many Internet sites trumpet the power of herbal remedies. There's scant, if any, scientific evidence to support the claims. And many studies have suggested that the placebo effect may be the reason so many women report relief from these herbs.

Searching the Internet for remedies to relief PMS symptoms one can find a spectrum of entries, ranging from benign ignorance to outright charlatan exploitation of product promotions without scruple. This highlights the dilemma of many women seeking alternative treatments to ease PMS.

Herbs aren't the only empirical treatments available for PMS sufferers who want to avoid hormones and anti-depressants with their side effects.

As for chaste tree berry, most tests haven't compared it to a placebo. And scientists have yet to scrutinize dong quai, another herb said to offer PMS relief. There is some evidence for some Vitamins and Minerals being effective against PMS. Some patients may benefit from calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E.

Calcium

Many PMS symptoms resemble those of calcium deficiency. Though no one fully understands what causes PMS, proponents of calcium therapy believe that for some women the problem may signal an underlying calcium shortage. The recommendation is that women concentrate on boosting the calcium in their diets.( yogurt or tofu ), and supplement. A total calcium intake of 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams per day, is suggested.along with food so the calcium is properly absorbed.

Magnesium

This year, from England a study in the Journal of Women's Health and Gender-Based Medicine compared magnesium to a placebo. The results suggest that modest amounts — 200 milligrams per day — could reduce water retention and bloating.

Vitamin E

A dose of 400 IUs of vitamin E per day alleviated PMS symptoms more than a placebo in at least one small study.

Vitamin B-6

A dose of 100 milligrams per day may relieve some symptoms, including depression. However, B-6 is harmful in doses above 100 milligrams per day.

In addition to calcium, magnesium and vitamin E, ACOG recommends lifestyle changes such as aerobic exercise and a complex carbohydrate diet to help relieve PMS symptoms.

As our research shows, the ovaries can be affected by bacteria — either inherited from the mother, at birth (vertical transmission) or from bacteria acquired through sexual activity (horizontal transmission). While the former woman will experience PMS shortly after the onset of menses the second group will relate the onset to a sexual encounter or as bad pregnancy riddled with signs of uterine infections. To alleviate PMS symptoms temporarily by giving hormone containing preparations can be justified. One has to keep in mind however, that long term benefit and often the complete reversal of symptoms may only be expected from the proper antibiotic therapy.