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PMS Proven Remedies

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) affects about 75 percent of women in the United States. PMS refers to the physical and emotional symptoms that women feel before they get their monthly period. Some of the most common symptoms include tender breasts, bloating, cramps, mood swings and irritability. Many remedies are available to alleviate these PMS symptoms.

  1. Exercise

    • Exercise is a proven remedy for PMS. Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior, a professor of endocrinology at the University of British Columbia, has done studies on the effects exercise has on PMS. She did a study in which women began a running program and noticed a decrease in PMS symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and bloating. Exercise sends a message to the pituitary gland and ovaries to balance a woman's system. By doing any aerobic exercise, such as walking, running or biking, for 20 to 30 minutes three or four days a week, you may alleviate some of your PMS symptoms.

    Calcium and Vitamin B-6

    • There are many over-the-counter supplements a woman can take to alleviate the symptoms of PMS. The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published a study in which it was found that many of the symptoms associated with PMS were reduced when women took 1200 milligrams of calcium a day.

      In addition, taking vitamin B-6 also will alleviate PMS. A study led by Dr. Katrina Wyatt and published in the British Medical Journal found that women who took 100 milligrams of vitamin B-6 had reduced PMS symptoms and depression associated with PMS.

    Birth Contol Pills

    • Taking certain types of birth control pills is another proven remedy for some women who have PMS. Birth control pills even out some women's hormone levels throughout their menstrual cycle, making their PMS symptoms more manageable. Yaz is a low-dose birth control that the Food and Drug Administration approved in treating a severe form of PMS.

      Another form of birth control that has been found to be effective in treating PMS is Yasmin. Dr. Hadine Joffe from the Center for Women's Mental Health conducted a study on the effects of taking Yasmin and PMS that she presented to the American Psychiatric Association. The women in the study only experienced depression prior to the onset of their periods. After taking Yasmin for two months, depression scores of these women dropped by 80 percent, and PMS scores dropped 40 percent.

      Yaz and Yasmin contain the progestin drospirenone. By early September 2009, class-action lawsuits had been filed against Bayer, the manufacturer of Yaz and Yasmin, alleging that drospirenone increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots and even sudden death. If you have a history of blood clots, heart disease, kidney disease, gallbladder disease, high blood pressure, cancer or seizures, you should talk to your doctor about side effects if you have been prescribed either Yaz or Yasmin. Both Yaz and Yasmin were still on the market in early September 2009, although a recall had been suggested.

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