PMS or Premenstrual syndrome is a disorder that affects many women during the one to two weeks before menstruation begins. Symptoms can include any or all of the following: abdominal bloating, acne, anxiety, backache, breast swelling and tenderness, cramps, depression, food cravings, fainting spells, fatigue, headache, insomnia, joint pain, nervousness, skin eruptions, water retention, and personality changes such as drastic mood swings, out bursts of anger, violence, and, sometimes, even thoughts of suicide.
The PMS symptoms are so numerous and various that diagnosing and treating this condition is often difficult.
Causes of PMS
Premenstrual syndrome commonly occurs during the week to ten days prior to the onset of menstruation, some women, however, are plagued by Premenstrual syndrome throughout most of the cases of the month.
Although the precise cause of PMS has not been determined, premenstrual syndrome appear to be caused by an excess of estrogen in relation to progesterone, and by increased levels of the inflammatory series-2 prostagladine.
Symptoms may also related to the dip iin calcium and magnesium levels that occurs prior to menstruation.
Symptoms of PMS
The effects of premenstrual syndrome range from mild to severe, and they vary from women to women. They may include bloating, cramps, headache, swelling, fluid retention, low back pain, depression, abdominal pressure, insomnia, sugar cravings, anxiety, irritability, breast tenderness, mood swings, and acne.
Homeopathic treatment of PMS
Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat PMS but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several remedies are available to treat premenstrual syndrome that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensations and modalities of the complaints. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person. There are following remedies which are helpful in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome:
Lachesis – great remedy for PMS; complaints are associated with mental symptoms like, talkativeness, jealousy; headache which gets worse after awakening from sleep; patient feels better as soon as menses appears.
Calcaria Carb – has got wonderful action on premenstrual headaches, cramps in abdomen, milky vaginal discharge, and chilliness. Tenderness and swelling of breasts before the onset of menses; acts well on those females who are habitually chilly; great anxiousness and anxiety for health.
Apis Mel – useful remedy for excessive premenstrual swelling, which can occur in abdomen, hands, legs, and eyelids. Stinging Pain in the ovaries.
Dulcamara – rashes before menses; eczema, itching especially during wet cold weather. Great sexual excitement before menses.
Lycopodium – feeling of worthlessness before menses; Lycopodium is associated with women who suffers indigestion, abdominal distension due to gas, and constipation. Symptoms get worse before the menses begins. Aggravation between 4 and 8 P.M.
Natrum Mur – not able to concentrate on mental activities; Natrum Mur is associated with migraine like headaches, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. There is craving for salts and abdominal distension; there may be palpitations and fluttering in the heart.
Pulsatilla – one of the best remedies for PMS; useful when sadness, weeping, and depression are experienced before menses. The patient tends to cry a lot and seek company and sympathy. Changeable mood, there may be diarrhea, and indigestion, there is usually lack of thirst, despite a dry mouth.
Sepia – it is of great use in PMS when the patient is irritable, while at the same time is sad, depressed, and weeps easily when discussing problems. The patient tends to be different and withdrawn.
Phosphorous – excellent remedy for patients who are fearful and anxious at night, especially when alone. The person is hypersensitive to external influences. When menses appear, they last a long time, but are not profuse. Cold drinks relieve the indigestion, but patient vomits as soon as the water gets warm in the stomach. Phosphorous is mainly indicated in tall, thin, narrow chested women who tend to bleed easily.
PMS Cured with Homeopathic Medicine
A Case of Pre Menstrual Syndrome – by Cynthia Kingsbury
Menopause and Homeopathy: It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way – by Joanna Rogister
Remarkable Short Stories : Cases To Remember: Part-II – by S.K.Banerjea
A very thorough and interesting article. The list of suggested remedies surprised me as it did not include most of the remedies I have most often prescribed for this condition which I think emphasizes the fact that this is a condition which is very much a part of the totality of the individual patient for which it is not really possible to have a therapeutics list. Very many remedies could be relevant depending on the particular group of symptoms exhibited by the individual and by the rest of that patient’s symptom picture. The author clearly indicates this. But I think it needs underlining. If you have PMS, see a registered homeopath. Most people find that this is one of the problems which responds well in most cases