Page 129 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: WOMEN’S PROBLEMS 127

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are troubled by a variety of symptoms that start about 7 days
before a menstrual period and ease when the period begins. You may feel irritable, angry, depressed, or
anxious for no particular reason. You may also be absentminded and find it hard to concentrate. Physical
symptoms include headache, sleep problems, food cravings, constipation, bloating, weight gain, and breast
tenderness or lumpiness. Stress may contribute to the problem.

See also Difficulty sleeping, p.17; Poor memory, p.25; Headache, p.85; Bloating and flatulence,
p.108; Constipation, p.115; Breast pain and lumpy breasts, pp.124–125.

See your doctor first
PREVENTION
Arrange to see your doctor if you are not sure
that your symptoms are due to PMS. Controlling PMS These longer-term steps
may prevent some symptoms of PMS developing and
help you cope better with those that remain.
What you can do yourself ● Keep a journal for 3 months, noting any factors that
make PMS symptoms worse, such as particular foods
There are a number of remedies that may help or stress at work, so you can avoid them in the future.
PMS. Use them before the first symptoms develop. ● Try a course of vitamin B to help prevent
6
symptoms (see NATURAL REMEDIES, below).
● Eat regularly to keep your sugar levels steady
● Go for a brisk walk for 20–30 minutes, 5 days a
and keep you from becoming anxious and irritable.
week, or try swimming or practicing yoga regularly.
Have plenty of carbohydrates, such as pasta and
potatoes, and increase your intake of fruit and
vegetables. Avoid sugary snacks; if you are hungry Yoga exercises
between meals, eat fruit or a whole-wheat cracker. The exercises
increase strength
● Reduce your intake of salt; use herbs and spices and flexibility
to flavor your food instead. and will help
you relax.
● Drink 6–8 glasses of water a day, and cut down
on caffeinated drinks such as coffee. Avoid alcohol
in the days before your period.
● Use memory aids such as a notepad or message
board to keep track of things you need to do.
● Try to reduce stress (see pp.20–21). Postpone big
plans and changes, and avoid difficult decisions.
● Go out in the fresh air if possible and take
a brisk walk. Get plenty of sleep at night.
NATURAL REMEDIES

Seek further medical advice Vitamin B 6 There is evidence that vitamin
B (see p.189) helps prevent PMS. You may need
Arrange to see your doctor if: 6
to take a supplement for 2–3 months before you feel
● You still have PMS symptoms after following any benefit. Alternatively, boost your diet with foods
this advice, or symptoms become worse rich in B such as chicken, eggs, bananas, and nuts.
6,