Symptoms — PMS

PMS — still misunderstood and mistreated

“I’d always had PMS symptoms — from moderate to extreme over the years. From acne to mood swings, depression, low energy, very sore breasts, bloating and night sweats, I felt like a victim when it came to my hormones. Now, I feel balanced and comfortable, and truly, my periods sneak up on me sometimes.” — Brooke, Personal Program Member

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is one of the most common manifestations of hormonal imbalance, affecting over half of all women. But as recently as the 1980’s PMS was hardly recognized by the medical profession.

Today, PMS is still often misunderstood and mistreated. Unfortunately, conventional medicine tends to emphasize treatment of PMS symptoms rather than the hormonal imbalance that is the true underlying cause.

PMS can affect any woman who is having menstrual periods — from her first period onward — but it most often appears in adulthood. If PMS first occurs in your 40’s, it’s usually an early signal you are entering perimenopause. Women who experience PMS earlier in life may be more predisposed to have a difficult perimenopause.

Not surprisingly, the symptoms of PMS are quite similar to those of perimenopause: bloating, irritability, mood swings, lethargy, food cravings, headaches, and much more. One of the most common symptoms associated with PMS is dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramping. (Visit our section on the menstrual cycle for a complete list of premenstrual syndrome symptoms.)

Each woman tends to follow a pattern of symptom development and relief that is consistent from cycle to cycle. For some women, however, there is a tendency for PMS to worsen over time, sometimes reaching the point where they are symptom-free only a few days a month. Fortunately, most women can alleviate PMS with the proper steps.

PMS relief

You don’t have to just live with PMS. As is true of most expressions of hormonal imbalance, there are multiple underlying causes, and for that reason it is rare that a single remedy will resolve all symptoms of PMS. But a foundation of support for the body usually leads to relief. That support enables the body to make and balance its hormones as it was designed to do. Good nutrition, dietary supplements and adequate levels of natural progesterone are essential. These elements are all embodied in our Personal Program, a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to patients at our clinic.

There are often profound connections between PMS and unresolved emotional issues, and difficult cases will not be resolved until those issues are addressed. We encourage you to consider that possibility, especially with issues you might be reluctant to deal with. Most women are surprised to learn how much our emotional biography impacts our health. For more information, read our article on emotional experience and health.

Many women have found it helpful to view premenstrual syndrome not as a wretched condition that makes them unbearable, but as a window of time each month when they have the ability and strength to speak the truth if they will simply face it. This helps them find and deal with any unresolved emotional issues.

 

Last Modified Date: 04/27/2012