"Homeopathic treatment for relief from PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)" - an article by Dr. Sanchita Dharne, best homeopathy doctor for PMS relief in Delhi and Gurgaon.

Homeopathy Treatment for PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)

Homeopathy treatment for PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is a natural and holistic way of managing your PMS. Most women know when they are about to get their periods. A pimple can appear on a particular part of your face, you start craving certain foods (especially sugar), your breasts become sore, you get into a mood and anything minor can make you burst into tears. I know what you’re thinking  but the answer is - NO, YOU ARE NOT CRAZY. There is actually a name for these changes that your body goes through? It’s called premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Research shows that approximately 90% of women experience premenstrual syndrome.

Women usually experience these symptoms 5 to 11 days prior to their periods and they disappear once the periods start.

PMS symptoms normally range from mild to severe. If they are so severe to a point that you can’t continue with your normal life such as work or school then you need to visit a doctor because you may be suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) which is a more serious form of PMS. 

You may have these symptoms but are not sure whether they are connected to PMS. What you need to do is monitor what time of the month they occur and if it is about 1 to 2 weeks before your menstrual flow then you have your answer.

 

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Why Homeopathy for PMS Treatment?

Hormonal imbalances usually trigger PMS symptoms. Homeopathic treatment helps in getting rid of this problem, by correcting these hormonal imbalance.

A group of physicians led by Karine Danno conducted a study on 23 women with PMS. They prescribed homeopathic remedies to these women. The researchers recorded the intensity of their symptoms before and after the study. At the end of the study, the symptoms of 21 women were found to have improved significantly. For example, the level of irritability, tension, and hostility dropped from 87% to 39.1%, breast pain reduced from 78.2% to 17.4% and the rate of abdominal pain and weight gain went down from 73.9% to 26.1%. Thus, the homeopathic treatment was successful in managing PMS symptoms.

In a separate study, the gynecology department of Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem carried out a clinical trial on 20 women diagnosed with PMS. The women (between the ages of 20 to 48) were given homeopathic treatments for two months and a follow-up was done for 3 months. Results showed that the mean scores (of PMS symptoms) for 90% of the women under homeopathic intervention decreased compared to the ones on placebo. A significant improvement in mood disorder is observed.

An another Research involved 20 homeopathic doctors conducting study on different groups of women in the Netherlands. This study took place between 2007 and 2011 and in the end, the researchers noticed a remarkable decline in severity of PMS symptoms.

The reason women all over the world are turning to homeopathy for treatment of their premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is that it has a high success rate with no side effects. The results of the various studies are testimony of the same. 

 

What is PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)?

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a set of symptoms experienced by a woman one or two weeks prior to her menses. Often these symptoms include irritability, mood swings, depression, fatigue, tender breasts, food cravings, cravings for sweets, etc. Such symptoms tend to occur every month at the onset of menses.

You cannot prevent it. What you can do is engage in habits or practices that treat or manage the symptoms and homeopathy is an example of such practice.

Close to 75%-90% women experience PMS at varying degree of intensity.

 

Why is My PMS Worse? | Factors Worsening Premenstrual Syndrome

Extreme Stress

Stress affects your brain and thus interferes with the production of hormones leading to hormonal imbalance. The result is an irregular menstrual period and PMS. Thus, stress increases your risk of PMS.

Family history of PMS

A study was conducted on 150 high school students with PMS in Sabzevar between 2016 and 2017 to assess the relationship between various factors and PMS. Results showed that 13% of the students with PMS had a history of a woman with the condition in their family.

Age factor: Late 20s and early 40s

You can experience PMS at any time from when you enter puberty up to when you reach menopause. However, research shows that PMS tends to be severe when you are in your 20s because your hormones fluctuate a lot during this period. The symptoms tend to ease in your 30s and get worse in your 40s as you near perimenopause and your hormonal fluctuations decrease.

Depression, anxiety, or other related disorders like bipolar disorder

These kinds of disorders affect the normal functioning of the brain which leads to fluctuating hormone levels and the inability to manage one’s moods hence contributing to PMS.

Physical or sexual abuse/trauma

The University of North Carolina carried out research in which they discovered that over 50% of females with severe PMS were abused either as children or during adolescence. This proves that there is a relationship between physical/sexual abuse and PMS.

 

5 Types of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)

It may seem there is only one form of PMS given the fact that women with the condition experience almost similar symptoms. The truth is that there are different types of PMS and knowing which one you have is the first step in managing the same.

It is important to note that sometimes there’s an overlap of symptoms so you might experience some signs of one type of PMS and simultaneously a few signs of another type.

PMS - A: Anxiety

The main symptom of this type of PMS is anxiety and that is why it has the initial A. PMS - A occurs when your estrogen levels become higher than progesterone. 70% of females with PMS fall under PMS - A which makes it the most common type.
PMS - A is accompanied by the following symptoms that you can look out for:

  • Anxiety
  • Heavier, more painful periods
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings or emotional instability
  • Being extra sensitive
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Paranoia
  • Wanting to be staying alone most of the time

PMS - D: Depression

Women with this type of PMS usually get into depression and hence the letter D.
This type of PMS is also caused by hormonal imbalance when a woman’s body produces more progesterone and less estrogen.
The following are symptoms of PMS-D:

  • Depression
  • Longer/prolonged periods
  • Memory loss
  • Crying a lot for no reason
  • Confusion
  • Insomnia
  • Suicidal thoughts

PMS - C: Cravings

Yes, C means cravings which is the main component of this type of PMS.
Do you have extreme craving for particular things before your periods, especially sweets, ice cream, chips, or carbohydrates? You may be in this category.
This type of PMS comes about when you have low serotonin and that’s why your body craves the sweets because the carbohydrates in them help to temporarily boost serotonin levels as well as make you feel good. The adrenal fatigue that comes with it leads to low cortisol and hence your desire for sugar.
Symptoms of PMS -C:

  • Cravings for carbohydrates and sweets
  • Fatigue
  • Heart palpitations
  • Headaches
  • A big appetite
  • Fainting

PMS - H: Hyperhydration

The main component of this PMS is hyperhydration. This simply means you have too much water in your body and it happens when you have excess estrogen, cortisol, or aldosterone hormones. These make your body retain lots of water and salt.
Symptoms of PMS-H

  • Water retention
  • Abdominal bloating (you may even feel a need to unbutton your jeans or wear comfortable clothing like yoga pants)
  • Weight gain
  • Puffier face
  • Breast tenderness
  • Swelling

PMS - P: Pain

You guessed right, P means pain. The women who have this type of PMS usually experience pain that feels like cramps either days before or during their periods. Sometimes, you may have more symptoms of other PMS types and then have pain too so it can overlap with the other types discussed. However, you can also experience pain as the major symptom.
Prostaglandins, which is a pro-inflammatory chemical can seep into your womb during your menstrual flow causing pain. However, the exact cause of this leaching has not been discovered.
Women with PMS - P may experience:

  • Uterine cramping (can range from mild to severe)
  • Joint pains
  • Migraine
  • Pain or discomfort on the pelvic

Best homeopathic doctor in Gurgaon for PMS treatment.

 

Signs and Symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)

Close to 3 out of every 4 women who get periods experience some signs of PMS. You should know that these signs and symptoms vary from one woman to another and so you may not experience all of them. Also, the symptoms are mild for some women and severe for others. These are the signs and symptoms you should look out for if you suspect you may have premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Breast tenderness

You may notice that your breast becomes tender, sore, heavy, or swollen when you are expecting your periods. These changes come about because your hormone levels (progesterone, estrogen, and prolactin) fluctuate.

Acne eruption

This is the most common sign that usually announces a woman’s periods. Your skin glands can release a lot of sebum due to the hormonal changes that take place in your body during this time. The sebum or oily substance produced can clog your pores and that’s how you get a breakout. Most of the time, the pimples appear on your jawline or chin.

Cravings for food/sweets

It is not surprising that women’s eating habits change before their menstrual cycle. Some women get cravings for sweet foods and biting like cakes, chocolates, sweets, etc. while others lose their appetite.

Menstrual cramps

Many women can tell they’re about to get their periods by the type of cramping they get which normally occurs on the lower belly. The cramps usually stop when your menstrual flow starts.

Fatigue and problems with sleep

Some women feel tired when their periods are around the corner. You may feel exhausted but can’t sleep for some reason. Your body temperature may even go up. The hormonal changes you experience can mess with your sleep and bring fatigue.

Mood swings

Around 1 to 2 weeks before you get your menstrual flow (which is when PMS occurs), your mood may be unpredictable. One minute you are happy, the next you are anxious or crying. You get irritated easily and you can’t explain why. Concentration or remembering events even becomes difficult for some women.

Lower back pain

The pain/discomfort you experience during this time may not just be on your abdomen. You may feel it on your lower back or thighs too. These are brought about by changes in your prostaglandins (natural chemicals lining the uterine) that can lead to contractions which you feel as pain or discomfort.

Headache and migraine

Your estrogen levels fluctuate before your menstrual flow and this may lead to headaches or migraines. You can monitor when they happen and if it is 1 to 2 weeks before your periods then it might be PMS.

Anxiety and depression

Do you normally feel so low before your period? PMS can make you anxious and depressed and if you are already suffering from depression or any kind of anxiety disorder then it can make your PMS symptoms more severe.

Constipation or diarrhea

The hormonal changes that occur when your body is preparing for periods affect your digestive system and so you may have constipation or diarrhea.

Bloating

If your body retains water during this period, you may experience bloating as a result or feel like you are full of gas.

 

How to Reduce PMS Symptoms Naturally?

Experiencing PMS symptoms is not fun. The great news is that there are steps you can take to reduce these symptoms and make life more bearable. Here are some of them:

Changing your diet

The reality is that what you eat can reduce or increase PMS symptoms so you need to ensure you nourish your body by eating a well-balanced diet.
Some of the foods you can incorporate include those that have a lot of thiamine (such as nuts, fish, eggs, green leafy vegetables, lentils, oranges, etc.) and the ones with high levels of riboflavin or vitamin B2 (such as salmon, low fat milk, eggs, yogurt, almonds, spinach, etc.). These foods reduce your chances of developing PMS symptoms.
As you clean up your diet, cut out things like alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, refined sugar, and too much salt because these tend to worsen your PSM symptoms.
Other things you can do to manage PMS symptoms include not skipping meals, eating small portions, and not eating 3 hours before your bedtime.

Exercising regularly

Exercise helps in balancing hormones which is the root cause of PMS so you need to get moving if you want to fight it out. You don’t need to kill yourself. Doing it twice or three a week will get you results. You can do anything from walking to swimming or going to the gym. If you do this especially a week or two to your periods, you’ll notice less constipation, breast swelling, and headache amongst others.

Getting rid of stress

The combination of stress and other symptoms of PMS such as anxiety, irritability, and tension can be overwhelming. That is why you need to find ways to eliminate stress because it also contributes to PMS.
You can figure out what helps you to relieve stress, whether it’s taking a hot bath doing yoga, sleeping, meditating, taking calming herbal teas, journaling, reading a book, or spending time with family.

Having enough sleep

One of the symptoms of PMS is fatigue so naturally, having enough sleep will help to reduce this exhaustion and help you feel better. Some of the things you can do to allow you to sleep more include retiring to bed earlier than you normally do, staying away from caffeinated drinks when bedtime is nearing, and not having supper too close to bedtime.

 

What Causes PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)?

Various factors contribute to causes of PMS. However, the exact particular causes of PMS are still unknown. The factor given below or combination of them are seen to be triggering the causes of PMS.

Changes in hormone levels

When your menstrual cycle is approaching, your body produces higher levels of estrogen and progesterone to make it ready for pregnancy. This change in hormone levels that occur before your period results in PMS symptoms.
The fluctuation of brain chemicals
Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain and it helps to regulate your mood. A woman’s menstrual cycle destabilizes this chemical and leads to its low production. When your mood is no longer regulated, you start experiencing PMS symptoms like depression and irritability. You can also have insomnia, exhaustion, and food cravings.

Inappropriate diet

Certain foods worsen PMS symptoms and examples include fat, excessively salty foods, and alcoholic drinks. Too much salt can also cause fluid retention and we know that water retention is one of the symptoms of PMS.

Obesity and smoking

A study was conducted on 874 women in Virginia to assess the relationship between obesity and PMS. Results showed that the women who were overweight were thrice at risk of getting premenstrual syndrome compared to those who were not. Additionally, women who smoked also had higher chances of getting PMS than those who didn’t.

Stress and depression

If you are stressed one or two weeks before your periods, you have high chances of being sad, depressed, and having cramps, bloating, headaches and pain. A report published by Women’s health support this fact.
The researchers reported that when women are stressed, there is an increase in the production of a hormone known as allopregnanolone which helps fight stress. However, in the case of females with PMDD (a severe form of PMS), that doesn’t happen. So, their bodies are not able to fight off the stress which increases the risk of getting PMS.
Depression usually goes hand in hand with PMS. Research shows that 50% of females diagnosed with PMS suffer from depression or anxiety. The bad news is that depression worsens PMS symptoms.

Genetics | Family history

According to some research, you have higher chances of getting PMS if other females in your family (mothers or sisters) have it. Your family could be extra sensitive to hormones and you inherit that trait or any other medical condition that can interfere with your hormones.

Mineral and vitamin deficiency

When a woman’s body lacks vital minerals and vitamins such as B6, it may trigger the appearance of PMS symptoms.

 

PMS Vs PMDD | What is the difference between PMS and PMDD?

It is normal to think that PMS and PMDD are the same since they have similar symptoms. However, they are not. I hope the following comparison helps you to differentiate premenstrual syndrome (PMS) from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Differences between PMS and PMDD

 PMS PMDD
Is common. Affects 75%-90% of females. Is rare. Affects 3-8% of females.
You might not need the help of a doctor or practitioner to manage symptoms of PMS. You may need the help of a doctor to manage the severity of PMDD.
Is not diagnosed as a disorder. PMDD is classified as a depressive disorder.
You can still go about your normal life with this condition. This disorder disrupts your normal life and you may not be able to function as you usually do in your personal, work, and social life.
Mood swings that accompany this condition are manageable. Mood swings are extreme to an extent that they damage your relationship with others.
You may feel somehow detached from your normal routine. You may feel like you have no control over your life.
Does not include suicidal thoughts. Can be accompanied by suicidal thoughts.

 

Homeopathic Medicines for PMS Relief

Homeopathy has been used to alleviate premenstrual syndrome (PMS) over the years by those who prefer going the holistic way instead of using conventional medicine.
Let’s look at some of the best homeopathic remedies for PMS.

Lachesis

Lachesis is recommended in cases where a woman:

  • Has pain in different parts of her body
  • Becomes mean for no reason
  • Is irritable
  • Gets excessive headaches
  • Feels extreme heat in the body
  • Becomes too passionate while talking like she needs an outlet for her emotions
  • Becomes suspicious of everyone
  • Suddenly become extremely jealous
  • Cannot stand tight clothing

These symptoms usually tend to disappear as soon as the menstrual periods begin.

Sepia

Sepia is the most common homeopathic remedy that a practitioner recommends for PMS or PMDD. Mainly, it helps tackle irritability which many women struggle with and can mess up their entire day. Sepia helps if you:

  • Are extremely irritable
  • Do not feel like engaging in any form of labor (mental or physical)
  • Feel pain in your uterus as if something is pressing down on it
  • Want to be left alone
  • Are very sarcastic
  • Get extremely angry
  • Have irregular periods

Sepia comes in to calm your mind and get rid of these symptoms.

Nux Vomica

A practitioner can prescribe Nux Vomica if you:

  • Are very irritable
  • Get extremely angry, like having a rage
  • Have extreme fatigue
  • Are always looking for a fight
  • Want to be left alone
  • Are craving relaxants like alcohol or stimulants like coffee
  • Have lower back pain

Pulsatilla

Pulsatilla works great if you experience:

  • Abdominal pain that leads to cramps
  • Lower back pain
  • Moodiness
  • Excessive temper
  • Needing a lot of attention
  • Delay in getting your periods and you may feel nausea
  • Unnecessary weeping
  • A constant need for fresh air. You don’t want to be in a warm or stuffy room.

This homeopathic remedy helps correct the hormonal changes which cause PMS and so it gets to the root of the problem. Pulsatilla is excellent for young women.

Calcarea carbonica

Calcarea carbonica is suitable if your PMS is accompanied by:

  • Anxiety
  • Weight gain
  • Exhaustion
  • Headaches
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Breast tenderness
  • Digestive problems
  • Irregular periods (are either too early or prolonged)
  • Craving sweets
  • Feeling chilly

 

Foods to Eat for PMS Relief | Plan Your PMS Diet

This may surprise you but what you consume or don’t consume can lead to PMS or make the symptoms more severe. Therefore, nutrition is vital in fighting PMS.

Here are the foods you need to incorporate or cut out of your diet if you want to keep PMS away.

Foods rich in calcium

The foods rich in calcium include dairy foods (such as yogurt, low-fat cheese, milk), green vegetables (such as broccoli, okra, spinach), and soy milk, almonds, chia seeds, etc.

Calcium helps your brain reduce anxiety and depression. A study was conducted on 66 female medical students in Iran. They were split into two groups. One group was put on 500 mg of calcium every day while the other was given a placebo. After two months, the students who were on calcium had experienced less severe depression, anxiety, and mood swings compared to the group that was on a placebo. This shows the effectiveness of calcium in fighting PMS.

Complex carbohydrates

When your insulin levels go up, they affect your body by putting you in a bad mood and giving you intense cravings. When you eat complex carbohydrates, they get into your bloodstream slowly, and, therefore, your insulin will only rise moderately. The result is that your mood will be stable and you won’t have cravings which is what we are aiming for. Thus, they are a good way of keeping those PMS symptoms at bay.

Examples of these carbs that you can consume include beans, sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, fruits and vegetables, unprocessed oats, pumpkin, and whole grains.

Foods rich in vitamin D

Vitamin D can help you get rid of menstrual cramps, backache, and the behavior of crying easily when you are going through PMS.

Results from a study conducted on 897 adolescent females showed that the percentage of the girls with PMS dropped from 14.9% to 4.8%. Thus, Vitamin D helped get rid of PMS symptoms in a significant number of the participants.

Oysters, salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring will give you the vitamin D you seek.

Drink more water

We all know drinking ample water helps improve digestion and expels waste from our body. Therefore, there will be less bloating, constipation and gas. You can aim for 9 to 10 glasses daily when you are on your menstrual cycle. If you are not a fan of plain water, you can throw in some cucumber or lemon to make it taste to your liking.

Manage consumption of salt

Salt contains sodium which increases your body’s ability to retain fluids. This can make you bloated, make your breasts tender or make your hands and feet swell. That is why you need to reduce your salt intake if you don’t want to deal with PMS.

One of the ways you can consume less salt is by eating less processed, packaged foods because it is usually found to have higher sodium content.

If you find it difficult to reduce your salt intake, you can drink more water so it can flush out the excess salt from your system.

Manage consumption of alcohol and caffeine

Caffeine and alcohol may seem to give you comfort when you are experiencing PMS but the reality is that they worsen the symptoms. Caffeine can also interfere with your sleep which can make you more irritated.

If you love caffeine too much, just avoid taking it when you are about to sleep.

 

Final Thoughts on Homeopathy Treatment for PMS

Women have been experiencing premenstrual syndrome symptoms for centuries. Today, there’s a lot of information on ways to manage this syndrome compared to decades ago. That means you don’t have to suffer in silence when there is a solution. Homeopathy is a great way of dealing with PMS because it is natural and so it won’t expose you to undesirable side effects. Additionally, it solves the problem from the roots by taking care of hormonal imbalance that leads to PMS. You can make some lifestyle changes like exercising and eating the right foods to make your life better if you have PMS. I wish you all the best as you get started on the journey to treating PMS using homeopathy.

 

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 About the Author
Dr. Sanchita Dharne is among the best homeopathic doctors in Gurgaon for treatment of PMS. She is an expert in delivering homeopathic treatment to health issues pertaining to women. The doctor practices classical homeopathy and believes in root-cause treatment with stimulation of body's natural healing mechanism.
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