women s health issues
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome
Good sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet Sometimes medications, including hormones and/or antidepressants PMS may be difficult to treat. No single treatment is effective for all women, and few woman have complete relief with any single type of treatment. Women can try the following to help relieve PMS symptoms: Getting enough rest and sleep (at least 7 hours each night) Exercising regularly, which may help lessen bloating as well as irritability, anxiety, and insomnia (yoga and Tai Chi help some women) Using stress reduction techniques (meditation or relaxation exercises) Avoiding stressful activities Consuming more protein and less sugar andcaffeine(including that in chocolate) Consuming more fruits, vegetables, milk, complex carbohydrates (for example, in breads, pastas, beans, and root vegetables), high-fiber foods, low-fat meats, and foods high in calcium andvitamin D Consuming less salt, which often reduces fluid retention and relieves bloating Avoiding certain foods and drinks (such as cola, coffee, hot dogs, potato chips, and canned foods) Certain dietary supplements may lessen PMS symptoms to some degree. These supplements include chasteberry extract from the agnus castus fruit, vitamin B6, andvitamin E. Women should talk to their doctor before they take any supplements, especially vitamin B6, which may be harmful if taken in high doses. Nerve damage is possible with as little as 100 milligrams of vitamin B6 a day. Calcium supplements may improve mood and lessen physical symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may help if moodiness is a concern, including in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Biofeedback and guided imagery may also help. Psychotherapy can help a woman learn to better cope with the symptoms. Stress reduction and Relaxation Techniques and Taking birth control pills sometimes relieves PMS symptoms but sometimes makes them worse, particularly in the first 6 weeks after starting. Taking Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve headaches, pain due to abdominal cramps, and joint pain. To decrease the intensity of headaches or cramps, women can start taking NSAIDs a few days before their period starts. Women who have more severe PMS symptoms or premenstrual dysphoric disorder may benefit from taking Medications for Treatment of Depression called selective serotonin release inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Hormone therapy may help. Options include the following: Birth control pills Progesteronevaginal suppositories Progesteronepills Injection of a long-acting progestin (a synthetic form of the female hormoneprogesterone) every 2 or 3 months Oral contraceptives that result in shorter menstrual periods or that increase the interval between periods to as much as 3 months may help some women. Brexanolone, given intravenously, is now available for treatment of postpartum depression specifically, and may be particularly helpful if oral medications are ineffective. If fluid retention is a problem, doctors may prescribe the diureticspironolactone(which helps the kidneys eliminate salt and water from the body). Doctors may ask a woman to continue keeping a record of her symptoms so that they can judge the effectiveness of PMS treatment. that persists despite other treatments, a (such as As a last resort for women who have severe symptoms that cannot be controlled with other treatments, doctors may offer surgery. Removing the ovaries eliminates menstrual cycles and thus eliminates PMS symptoms. However, removing the ovaries has the same effects as Menopause , including increasing the risk of osteoporosis and other 