Pre-Menstrual Syndrome - Are You Coping With the Symptoms?

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) can start early or you may not get any symptoms until later in life. Whatever it is for you, it is usually an upset in your hormone status.

Symptoms can include the following:

Depression

Bloating

Pimples

Violent temper

Sore breasts

Cramping

Migraines

Headaches

Sugar cravings

If you haven't already tried using the contraceptive pill to halt these symptoms, then please read on before you make the mistake of using 'The Pill.'

Did you know that if you have the breast cancer gene and you have used the contraceptive pill for more than 3 years and you have not carried a baby to full term, then you have a 300% chance of developing breast cancer.

The contraceptive pill is not the answer to PMS problems and should not be used long term if you are in the high risk group.

A better (and safer) way to treat PMS symptoms is to use natural medicine that has not only been proven in clinical trials to help but has also been proven to be safe to use.

Below are just some of the natural medicines that have been studied, trialled and proven to help PMS.

1. Vitex-agnus Castus

50% of women that used this herb, had a reduction in breast pain, swelling, irritability, depression, headache and anger. Vitex works by stimulating the production of progesterone.

Just before your period (luteal phase), you should have a surge of progesterone. Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons, we instead have more oestrogen which gives us the unpleasant symptoms mentioned above.

Vitex helps to readjust our normal levels of oestrogen and progesterone.

2. St. Johns Wort

In some early small studies, St. Johns Wort has been successful in treating the symptoms of PMS. However, this herb is not generally recommended as it does interfere with other medications.

3. Gingko biloba

When taken in the luteal phase of the cycle, gingko has been shown to be effective in treating breast tenderness and mood swings.

There have been hundreds of herbs that have been tested for their effectiveness in treating PMS. Not all of them help.

For example, the popular herb Dong Qaui has had no evidence that it helps with PMS symptoms.

If you decide to treat yourself for PMS then it's always best to seek advice from a professional and make sure you do your research on the products that you intend to use.

It is not recommended that you use a product that hasn't been proven to help.
For more herbs that have been proven to help PMS, follow the link.

http://www.proven-natural-medicine.com/PMS_Proven.html

Kristin Collins N.D.