A 33 year old women came in with complaints of upset stomach, mood swings that covered a spectrum of emotions in a matter of seconds, sore breasts, bloating and joint pains. She said , ”Doctor I go crazy every month while I am PMS-ing. Can Homoeopathy help?”
My answer was, absolutely YES!
Understanding PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome):
PMS and the menstrual cycle are barely the nicest time of the month for any woman, and a complete lack of sensitivity of family, male partners, friends, co-workers can make it hard for her to deal with those days. The aim of writing this blog is to create awareness that will make PMS week a much more pleasant experience for everyone involved.
Pre-Menstrual syndrome (PMS) is a term attributed to the large and varied set of physical and psychological symptoms that typically start anywhere between 7 and 10 days before the beginning of the menstrual period and subside shortly after the menstrual period begins. PMS is believed to affect 3 out of 4 of menstruating women.
The series of symptoms can turn the most sober women into snappy, irritable monsters, which is why it is dreaded by women and those around them than the actual period itself. As hormones are all over the place, the slightest gust of wind would send them hurtling over the edge. It would be appreciable if people around them would understand this, be patient and just listen to them while they rant or burst into tears, rather than lashing back or being defensive.
Premenstrual Dysphoria (PMDD) is considered to be a more severe form of PMS. Symptoms of PMDD are mostly related to changes in mood and are more likely to lead to difficulty in relationships at work, school, and other aspects of daily life.
Symptoms of PMS or PMDD begin in the second half of the menstrual cycle, 14 or fewer days before menstruation begins.
What are the symptoms of PMS?
Symptoms may range from mild to severe and can be extreme enough to interfere with daily life. For some, symptoms may be barely noticeable, while in others they could be quite intense. They may include :
- Debilitating cramps
- Upset stomach
- Bloating
- Sore breasts
- Acne
- Headaches
- Aching legs and back
- Mood swings in a matter of seconds
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Fatigue
- Changes in sex drive
What causes PMS?
During the menstrual cycle the hormones are all over the place. A week before a period arrives, progesterone levels increase and oestrogen levels decrease. This inhibits serotonin production , leading to PMS symptoms such as depression, anxiety, food cravings and fatigue and also reduces the effectiveness of GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) , which is suppose to act as a “ chill pill” for neurons that cause stress and anxiety. These hormonal shifts make a cocktail of unregulated emotions and mood swings.
Factors worsening PMS:
- Family history of PMS
- Extreme levels of stress
- Age factor: Women in their late 20s to early 40s are more prone
- Mineral and vitamin deficiency
- Obesity and Smoking
- Inappropriate diet: Certain foods can aggravate symptoms of PMS. For eg: very salty food can cause bloating, caffeinated drinks and alcohol can disrupt the mood and energy levels of body.
Understanding PMDD:
PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is a more severe form of PMS believed to affect 3-8% of those who menstruate. Symptoms are severe enough to impact daily function, especially interpersonal function. The symptoms of PMDD are similar to those of PMS, but are more blown up .
Symptoms include:
- Persistent sadness or depression
- Extreme tension and irritability
- Extreme anger and anxiety
- Difficulty in Concentration
- Lack of interest in activities
- Loss of energy
- Insomnia or hypersomia
Women with PMDD may usually have suicidal thoughts.
Coping up with PMS:
- Eat well and drink plenty of water
- Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, refined sugars and too much salt.
- Reduce the stress by daily exercise, yoga, meditation, engaging yourself in some fun hobbies to over come irritability .
Rebalance with Homoeopathy :
As PMS significantly weighs down the quality of life of every woman , homoeopathy would definitely be worth a try. It solves the problem from the roots by taking care of hormonal imbalance that leads to PMS.
Homeopathy is a great way of dealing with PMS for those who prefer going the holistic way rather than using conventional medicine. It stimulates your body’s healing process, instead of suppressing the symptoms, which in turn encourages gentle and permanent restoration of health.
Homoeopathic remedy which is selected based on individualisation , helps in reducing the intensity of complains, shortens the duration of PMS and also improves the mood. It helps in the effective cure of PMS without any side effects.
Homoeopathic treatment aims at improving overall wellness and the quality of life of an individual.
“Why suffer, when you have a solution!”