Thursday, January 31, 2008

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Alternative Ways to Relieve PMS


Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms linked to the menstrual cycle. PMS symptoms occur in the week or two weeks before a womans menstruation. The symptoms usually go away after her period starts. PMS can affect menstruating women of any age. It is also different for each woman, some women may find it to be a slight bother, while PMS for others may be so severe that it may make it hard for them to even get through the day.

The causes of PMS are not clear. It is linked to the changing hormones during the menstrual cycle. Some women may be affected more than others by changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Stress and emotional problems do not seem to cause PMS, but they may make it worse. A growing number of women suffering from premenstrual syndrome or PMS are seeking help from both conventional and alternative health practitioners. Studies show that women who opted for alternative therapies usually found them to be effective. As such, the medical community should be accustomed with the efficiency of innumerable evidence-based natural interventions.

A recently conducted survey indicates that 42 were using OTC medication, mostly to control pain. For years, traditional medicine had provided suggestive treatments for PMS that does not always work. Most doctors are unaware of the latest research on hormone balancing while others never had any training in PMS. Alleviating bloating with diuretics, headaches with painkillers, and anxiety with Valium only mask the underlying imbalance that cause PMS. A lot of these prescribed treatments often have side effects.

Although a safe and guaranteed cure for PMS is yet to be discovered, there is a number of lifestyle and alternative therapies that can reduce symptoms and possibly even improve your quality of life. On the other hand, psychotherapy can provide insight about stress. However, it sidesteps the nutritional and biochemical aspects of this disorder. Exercise is the best self-care method that you can use when dealing with PMS symptoms.It does not necessarily mean a strenuous and sweaty afternoon at the gym; it may be something simple like walking regularly.
On the average, regular exercise is considered to be done at least three to five times a week.
Adopting specific dietary modifications could also be beneficial in alleviating symptoms. Review your dietary needs and eliminate caffeine, sugar, alcohol, dairy, and excess soy. While you’re shunning “bad foods,” it is important to get plenty of the “good” vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Try nurturing a diet of fresh, in-season, organic fruits and vegetables.
Aside from exercise and dietary measures, some alternative therapies might also be helpful. Reducing stress by trying several relaxation methods such as relaxation exercises, roll breathing, yoga, and massage therapy might also prove to advantageous.

Another widely used therapy for PMS includes bright light therapy. Some studies suggest that getting more natural or full-spectrum light on days when PMS symptoms are present may help reduce severity of symptoms. There is emerging evidence that suggests PMS sufferers may reduce their dependence upon synthetic drugs by undergoing chiropractic or acupuncture treatments. Several small clinical studies have verified that the combination of chiropractic manipulation and soft tissue therapy is an effective intervention in the management of various PMS symptoms, particularly with the relief of associated back pain, abdominal cramping and dysmenorrhea.

Though most of the therapies mentioned are not considered standard treatment for PMS, some of them might be helpful in relieving some symptoms. But most importantly, these treatments are safe and well-tolerated. In conclusion, no treatment works for every woman, so you may need to try different ones to see what works. If your PMS is not so bad that you need to see a doctor, some lifestyle changes may help you feel better. Eat healthy, don’t smoke or do drugs, take a multi-vitamin, exercise regularly, and find a outlet to relive your stress! By making these few simple changes you may be able to relieve your pms without the use of medication.

For more information on pms relief click here: http://www.erectionbooster.com/category/articles-for-women/

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