How to Cure PMDD With Natural Herbs

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, affects about 10 percent of menstruating women, according to the Mayo Clinic. PMDD sufferers experience more-severe PMS symptoms such as irritability, anger, depression, mood swings, lethargy, breast tenderness and changes in eating/sleeping patterns. Women experiencing PMDD often find it impacts their relationships and interrupts their daily activities. While many women do find success using traditional antidepressants and other medications to treat their PMDD, some women want to try more natural methods. The herb chasteberry holds promise in the treatment of PMDD if monitored carefully and taken under a doctor's guidance.

Things You'll Need

• Chasteberry extract tablets
• Journal

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and get his opinion about whether herbal remedies might be appropriate in your situation. Although herbal remedies might seem benign because they are natural, they do have potential side effects and risks.

• 2

  Purchase agnus castus fruit extract tablets, also known as chasteberry, from a pharmacy or natural foods grocery store. Chasteberry, known as the "women's herb," has been used for thousands of years to increase milk supply while breastfeeding and to alleviate menstrual problems.

• 3

  Take 20 mg. of chasteberry extract once a day to help minimize PMDD symptoms. According to the MGH Center for Women's Health, several recent trials indicate that this herb might reduce some PMS or PMDD symptoms such as irritability, headache, mood swings and sore breasts.

• 4

  Keep a journal and record your use of the herbal supplement and any positive or negative side effects you have. By monitoring your use of the herb and noting any improvements, you can give your doctor information to help decide whether the herb provides any benefit to you.

• 5

  Report serious side effects to your doctor. While most side effects are rare, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, chasteberry can cause gastrointestinal distress, dizziness and rashes.