Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is well-treated using naturopathic medicine.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common experience for women of childbearing age. It is estimated that three of every four women experience some symptoms of PMS.

The precise cause of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)  symptoms is unknown, but possible factors include cyclic hormonal changes, fluctuations in brain chemicals (e.g., serotonin) and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Seek professional healthcare if your premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms are affecting ability to carry out your daily activities.

Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome

Possible symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) include:

• Headaches 
• Acne flare-ups
• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal bloating
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Joint or muscle pain
• Weight gain (from fluid retention)
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Depressed mood
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Poor concentration
• Social withdrawal
• Appetite changes and food cravings

Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) at Toronto Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

At Toronto Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, the goals of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) treatment are to reduce or eliminate premenstrual syndrome symptoms, and correct underlying hormonal and dietary causes to prevent symptom recurrence.

Conventional treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may include a variety of medications, including antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics, oral contraceptives and medroxyprogesterone acetate. These treatments may have short- or long-term side effects.

For this reason, you may choose to try natural treatment to possibly avoid use of conventional medications, or together with conventional medications in order to decrease dosages of conventional medications required to manage your premenstrual syndrome symptoms (PMS).

Naturopathic treatment of any chronic health concern must be recognized as a process that involves:

• Identifying specific treatment goals
• Development by your naturopathic doctor, of a thorough understanding of all factors affecting your health, including physical, psychological, emotional and lifestyle factors
• Development of a comprehensive treatment plan
• Implementation and maintenance of that plan through periodic monitoring and adjustment

At Toronto Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, a typical approach to treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be to:

• Identify and address underlying factors in your lifestyle (e.g., poor diet or dietary habits, alcohol and caffeine use) or general health (e.g., depression) that may be contributing to your premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms
• Reduce symptoms using acupuncture, hydrotherapy or Bowen Therapy
• Prevent recurrence by “balancing” hormones using metabolic detoxification protocols or botanical (herbal) medicines

Where appropriate, a number of therapeutic options are available, to be used alone, or more often in a complementary fashion, including:

• Nutritional counseling
• Nutritional supplements
• Metabolic detoxification protocols
• Botanical (herbal) medicines
• Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Bowen Therapy
• Suikodo™
• Hydrotherapy
• Exercise prescription
• Relaxation (meditation) training
• Lifestyle medicine and counseling

Treatments provided by naturopathic doctors are covered by most extended healthcare plans.

References

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; [cited 2009 Feb 18]. Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/premenstrual-syndrome/DS00134.