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Cures for PMS & Moodiness

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a symptom many women feel right before their menstruation cycle beings. Ranging from nausea, moodiness, cramps, fatigue, back pain and migraines, there is no definite cure for PMS but there are techniques treatments to reduce the severity of PMS symptoms. One of the most reported symptoms among women is moodiness.

  1. Cause

    • According to Women's Health, a leading women's interest magazine, "No one knows exactly what causes PMS. However, researchers do know that PMS is not just an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone or any other single hormone. Several studies found nothing abnormal in the levels or ratios of these hormones in women with PMS."

    Symptoms

    • Women's Health states, "As many as 150 physical and behavioral symptoms have been assigned to PMS, but the number of PMS symptoms that most women experience is much more limited. The most common symptoms include irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depressed mood, fatigue, appetite changes, water retention and breast tenderness, among others."

    Cure

    • In 2005, researchers found that "a diet rich in calcium appears to reduce the risk of developing PMS by as much as 40 percent." While these findings offer hope for relief, researchers say that this treatment won't work for everyone.
      Other women's health experts claim that exercise, particularly yoga and meditation, can help relieve PMS and moodiness. Gynecologist Machelle M. Seibel, M.D., says, "there are some simple yoga poses that can help just about everyone... Studies show breathing exercises can help to balance out the electrical activity in the two lobes of the brain, which can in turn help balance your mood."

    Medication

    • Some pain medication like ibuprofen or Tylenol can help ease PMS, especially pain-related symptoms. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says, "Try an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease sore breasts, muscle pain, headaches or painful cramps."

      Birth control is another possible option for PMS relief. Women's hormone levels spike and drop during the days leading up to their menstrual cycle and birth control help to regulate women's hormones. Planned Parenthood states that birth control can relieve premenstrual symptoms like cramps and mood swings but this differs with each individual as a body's response to birth control varies.

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