Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects a high percentage of women of childbearing age, with many women feeling mood changes in the days before menstruation. And while menstrual symptoms like irritability, anger, and mood swings are a monthly bother for most women, severe PMS can be emotionally debilitating for some. Fortunately, treating PMS with medication and lifestyle changes can help women control mood changes and other emotional difficulties.

PMS can cause wild, uncontrollable mood swings in some women, who may go from crying spells to angry outbursts and anxiety attacks, then back to a stable emotional state — all in one day. “You’ll know these emotional ups and downs are due to PMS if they start consistently a week or two before your period and stop a day or two after menstruation starts,” said Dr Meghana Reddy, Consultant Gynaecologist, Columbia Asia, Hospital Whitefield

Symptoms of PMS include :

1.Irritability
2.Anger
3.Depression
4.Crying
5.Over-sensitivity
6.Nausea
7.Vomiting
8.Anxiety
9.Stomachache
10.Mood swings

Managing it better:

For many women, lifestyle changes can be a successful part of PMS treatment. For women with severe PMS, medications may be needed. The following PMS treatment options can help stabilize mood swings and improve a woman’s emotional health in the weeks before menstruation:

1.Exercise: Physical activity can lift moods and improve depression. It’s believed that endorphins — feel-good brain chemicals that are released during exercise — may help counteract some of the hormone changes that may trigger severe PMS.

2.Aerobic exercise such as walking, running, bicycling, or swimming is recommended.

3.Small, frequent meals: Eating small meals throughout the day rather than two or three big meals may also help ease PMS symptoms. A large meal, particularly one high in carbohydrates, can cause blood sugar swings, which could worsen PMS. Low blood sugar may contribute to crying spells and irritability that are often seen in women with severe PMS. Try to eat six small meals a day to keep your blood sugar levels steady.

4.Calcium supplements : A number of studies have shown that calcium can help ease mood changes.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sweets: “Staying away from coffee and other caffeinated drinks for two weeks before your period may make a difference in your mood because caffeine can increase anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia. Cutting down on alcohol may also be helpful because alcohol acts as a depressant,” said Dr Reddy.

5.Stress management. Stress can make PMS symptoms worse, so finding ways to give stress the slip can help treat PMS. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga. Individual or group therapy has also been found to be an effective PMS treatment for women with severe mood swings and debilitating emotional changes.

6.Antidepressants called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that change serotonin levels in the brain have been shown to be helpful for women with severe PMS.

Women suffer from a range of gynaecological problems ranging from menstrual irregularities and fertility issues to menopause and STDs. In most cases, it is an imbalance of hormones that cause gynaecological problems and strong medication is not required. Homeopathy is a holistic form of alternative medication that takes into account the physical, mental and emotional symptoms of a patient and addresses the root of the problem. It has negligible side effect and hence can be prescribed for women of all ages. During a woman’s teenage years, homeopathy can help regulate hormone production and hence treat associated puberty changes and skin conditions like acne. In her later years, homeopathy can also help treat fertility issues as well as ease pregnancy-related issues.

Here are a few gynaecological problems that can be treated with homeopathy.

1. Irregular Menstruation- Pulsatilla and sepia are excellent remedies for treating menstrual difficulties. Pulsatilla can be used to treat missed periods as well as excessive bleeding and painful periods. In most cases, the women who benefit from this remedy are emotional, timid, thirstless and averse to fats. Sepia is used to treat early or scanty menses in cases where women also complain of being tired, irritable and prefer solitude.

2. Fertility Issues- Problems that arise out of a weak uterus such as infertility or miscarriages in the first trimester can be treated with Caulophyllum. In such cases, the woman often complains of pain and stiffness in the joints and has erratic mood swings. A loss of libido caused by excessive alcohol, drugs or sex can be treated with Agnus castus.

3. Pregnancy Related Issues- Cimicifuga can be used to treat nervous mothers who worry excessively about the foetus and tend to suffer from rheumatic pains. Morning sickness is a common complaint of pregnant women and can be treated with Ipecacuanha.

4. Postpartum Depression- After giving birth to their baby, many women suffer from postpartum depression and feel disconnected to their baby. This can be treated with Nux Vomica and Lilium Tigrinum. The former helps treat ambitious women who may feel resentful of having had to give up their careers because of the new born baby. Lilium Tigrinum is used to treat depression that involves constant weeping and irritability.

5. Menopause- Menopause affects every woman in a different way. Lachesis is a homeopathic remedy that can be used to treat hot flushes, palpitations and feelings of being suffocated while asleep. Excessive menses and a tendency to haemorrhage can be treated with ustilago. This can also be used to treat uterine fibroids.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects a high percentage of women of childbearing age, with many women feeling mood changes in the days before menstruation. And while menstrual symptoms like irritability, anger, and mood swings are a monthly bother for most women, severe PMS can be emotionally debilitating for some. Fortunately, treating PMS with medication and lifestyle changes can help women control mood changes and other emotional difficulties.

PMS can cause wild, uncontrollable mood swings in some women, who may go from crying spells to angry outbursts and anxiety attacks, then back to a stable emotional state — all in one day. “You’ll know these emotional ups and downs are due to PMS if they start consistently a week or two before your period and stop a day or two after menstruation starts,” said Dr Meghana Reddy, Consultant Gynaecologist, Columbia Asia, Hospital Whitefield

Symptoms of PMS include :

1.Irritability
2.Anger
3.Depression
4.Crying
5.Over-sensitivity
6.Nausea
7.Vomiting
8.Anxiety
9.Stomachache
10.Mood swings

Managing it better:

For many women, lifestyle changes can be a successful part of PMS treatment. For women with severe PMS, medications may be needed. The following PMS treatment options can help stabilize mood swings and improve a woman’s emotional health in the weeks before menstruation:

1.Exercise: Physical activity can lift moods and improve depression. It’s believed that endorphins — feel-good brain chemicals that are released during exercise — may help counteract some of the hormone changes that may trigger severe PMS.

2.Aerobic exercise such as walking, running, bicycling, or swimming is recommended.

3.Small, frequent meals: Eating small meals throughout the day rather than two or three big meals may also help ease PMS symptoms. A large meal, particularly one high in carbohydrates, can cause blood sugar swings, which could worsen PMS. Low blood sugar may contribute to crying spells and irritability that are often seen in women with severe PMS. Try to eat six small meals a day to keep your blood sugar levels steady.

4.Calcium supplements : A number of studies have shown that calcium can help ease mood changes.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sweets: “Staying away from coffee and other caffeinated drinks for two weeks before your period may make a difference in your mood because caffeine can increase anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia. Cutting down on alcohol may also be helpful because alcohol acts as a depressant,” said Dr Reddy.

5.Stress management. Stress can make PMS symptoms worse, so finding ways to give stress the slip can help treat PMS. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga. Individual or group therapy has also been found to be an effective PMS treatment for women with severe mood swings and debilitating emotional changes.

6.Antidepressants called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that change serotonin levels in the brain have been shown to be helpful for women with severe PMS.