PMS (general)
Synopsis of PMS (general)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a collection of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that occur in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, typically one to two weeks before menstruation begins. PMS affects up to 75% of menstruating individuals to some degree, with symptoms ranging from mild to disruptive. While the exact cause isn't fully understood, hormonal fluctuations—particularly estrogen and progesterone—are believed to play a central role, often interacting with neurotransmitters like serotonin. PMS symptoms resolve shortly after menstruation begins and return cyclically each month.
Types:
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PMS-A (anxiety): Mood swings, irritability, and tension
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PMS-C (cravings): Cravings for sugar or carbohydrates, headaches, fatigue
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PMS-D (depression): Sadness, low mood, withdrawal
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PMS-H (hyperhydration): Bloating, breast tenderness, water retention
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PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder): A more severe, clinically recognized form
Common Causes:
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Hormonal imbalance during menstrual cycle
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Low levels of serotonin or altered GABA activity
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Nutrient deficiencies (magnesium, calcium, B vitamins)
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High stress or poor sleep patterns
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Sensitivity to hormonal changes
Severity Causes:
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High stress or poor adrenal health
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Diet high in sugar, caffeine, or alcohol
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Lack of regular exercise
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Coexisting mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety or depression)
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Family history of severe PMS or PMDD
When to See a Doctor:
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Symptoms interfere significantly with daily life or relationships
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Emotional symptoms such as depression, rage, or hopelessness
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Physical pain (cramps, headaches) that doesn’t respond to OTC relief
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Suspected PMDD (marked mood disturbances before menstruation)
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No improvement with lifestyle changes after several cycles
Natural remedies for PMS (general)
Chaste tree berry (Vitex): Balances progesterone and prolactin levels, reducing breast tenderness, irritability, and other PMS symptoms when taken consistently over several cycles.
Magnesium: Helps regulate mood, reduce cramps, and ease fluid retention. Best taken with vitamin B6 to enhance cellular uptake.
Vitamin B6: Supports neurotransmitter production (serotonin, dopamine) and alleviates mood swings, irritability, and fatigue. Often used in combination with magnesium.
Calcium: Plays a role in muscle and nerve function. Daily calcium supplementation may reduce bloating, mood changes, and food cravings.
Evening primrose oil: Rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), it helps reduce breast pain, irritability, and water retention, particularly in PMS-H types.
Ashwagandha: An adaptogen that balances cortisol and supports hormonal regulation, reducing anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Green tea: A gentle diuretic and antioxidant-rich beverage that supports metabolism, reduces bloating, and boosts mood with mild caffeine and L-theanine.
Chamomile tea: A natural relaxant with antispasmodic properties that soothes cramps, improves sleep, and calms irritability.
Exercise: Regular physical activity improves circulation, boosts mood-enhancing endorphins, and reduces stress, bloating, and fatigue.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat PMS (general)
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
ashwagandha
beet
biotin
black cohosh
borage oil
bupleurum falcatum
calcium
chamomile
chaste tree
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
genistin
green tea
inositol
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
lignans
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
motherwort
pollen
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
rutin
sage
soybean
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
watermelon
wild yam
zinc
tangerine
bee pollen
lingusticum wallichii
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
peach
thyroid substance
17a-ethyl-estr-5(6)-ene-3B-diol
27-deoxyactein
3-Ketosteroid
4-Hydroxyandrostenedione
4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyisoflavone-7
5-androstene-3alpha,17beta-diol
6 Bromo 3, 17 dioxoetioallochalane
Arjuna
Asoka
Asparagus racemosus
Almond
Alchemilla
Aerva lanata
Agnoside
Agnusides
Avian (unspecified)
African Basil
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Apple
Atractylodes
Agnuside
Anise
Ashoka
Anti-aromatase
Bee Pollen
Blepharis
Beet molasses
Beet Molasses
Black Haw
Black Cohosh
Bergamot Oil
Borage Oil
Bitter principals
Borage
banana
Blackhaw
bitartrate
cucumber
Cohosh
Calendula
Chinese Chastetree
Clary sage
Calcium Magnesium Citrate
Curcuma comosa
Cnidium
Cyathula
Cod Liver Oil
Chastetree
Chocolate
Chard
Cacao
Chirata
Caffeine
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Citrus reticulata
Chamomile
DIVI-DIVI
Desoxydiosgenin
Daidzein
Dioscorea oppositifolia
Dong Quai
Diindolylymethane
Diindolylmethane
Diindoylmethane
Evodia
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
European peony
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
Evening Primrose
evening primrose oil
Evening Primrose oil
Estrogen
Flax
Flax Fiber
Flaxseed
Flavones (various)
Flax lignans
Fish
Five-leaf Chastetree
Fish Oil
Fenugreek
Fennel
Gamma Linolenic Acid
Gamma-linolenic acid
gum (unspecified)
Gooseberry
Gugglesterone
Hyacinth bean
Hesperidin
Isoflavones (unspecified)
isoflavone (unspecified)
Inositol
Inositol phosphate
Isoflavones (mixed)
Krill Oil
Lady's Mantle
lettuce
Lactobacillus (unspecified)
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lotus (unspecified)
Lotus
Lily
Lignans
Labisia pumila
Motherwort
Mum
Magnesium Malate
Montanoa tomentosa
Maca
maritime Pine
Marine oil (unspecified)
Mexican Yam
Methylxanthine (unspecified)
Magnesium tartrate
Miroestrol
Magnesium Citrate
Macaenes
Magnesium citrate malate
Nutritional Yeast
Ovary
Progesterone
P. nigraclens (unspecified)
Pulsatilla
Peony
Pennyroyal (unspecified)
Pimpinella (unspecified)
Potassium
Poria mushroom
Phthalides
Pimpinella
Phellodendron Bark
Polygonatum cirrhifolium
Progesterone
Pyridoxal alpha-ketoglutarate
Pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate
Pycnogenol
Phytoestrogen
Pig
Phytoestrogen (unspecified)
Phytoestrol (unspecified)
Pollen (unspecified)
Rubus (unspecified)
Roe
Raspberry (various)
Radish
Raspberry
Royal Jelly
Rubiaceae (unspecified)
Riboflavin
Red Raspberry
Soy
Saffron
Spantholobus
Sweet Bay
Sesbania grandiflora
Squaw Vine
Sweet Orange alcohol
Tree Peony
Tomatoe
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vervain
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin selenite)
Vitamin B6 (pridoxal 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
Vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate)
Vitamin B6 (Mixed)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl)
Vegetable Juice
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxamine HCl)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin Phosphate)
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Vitex (unspecified)
Wine
Wild Yam
Western Mugwort
Yam (unspecified)
