RESOURCES FOR HEALTHY WOMEN
Premenstrual Syndrome
Instructions for patient care:
Premenstrual syndrome is a very complex disorder which primarily affects women in their 30's and 40's. This syndrome has a number of different manifestations which may be peculiar to different individuals. In general, patients will have the onset of their symptoms at, or just after the time of ovulation and these symptoms end abruptly at the beginning or within 24 hours of the onset of menses. In order to enable patients to cope with these symptoms specific measures are indicated. In general, conservative therapies are tried first.
The charting of your symptoms often aids in confirming the diagnosis P.M.S. and helps identify the symptoms needing treatment.
It is essential that you exercise on a regular basis (we recommend 4-5 days per week) with exercise such as cycling, swimming, jogging, extensive walking, or aerobics.
Dietary changes in the form of restriction of complex sugars, and elimination of caffeine, chocolate and other stimulants is indicated.
It is necessary that you take a B-complex vitamin daily along with vitamin B6 in a dose either 50 mg or 100 mg each day. (Both of these can be purchased from your pharmacy without a prescription).
If you have painful periods, we can prescribe an antiprostaglandin medication for that in the form of Motrin, Naprosyn, or Anaprox.
Frequently, a diuretic (water pill) is needed to decrease the bloating, headaches and fullness prior to menses. For this Spironolactone 25mg twice daily for 7-10 days before your period can be prescribed.
There are a number of medications being investigated in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. These include Naltrexone, a drug previously used to treat heroin withdrawal symptoms. This medication may help to relieve symptoms but does have a number of side effects possibly including nausea, stomach aches, headaches, and rash. Alprazolam (Xanax), (Sertraline), (Zoloft) and Fluoxetine (Prozac), which are used to treat anxiety and depression in certain psychiatric conditions also can be helpful when more conservative measures fail to alleviate these PMS symptoms.
It is clear that no single treatment will work for all PMS sufferers. The one common factor which provides some benefit is change in diet and exercise.
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Instructions for patient care:
Premenstrual syndrome is a very complex disorder which primarily affects women in their 30's and 40's. This syndrome has a number of different manifestations which may be peculiar to different individuals. In general, patients will have the onset of their symptoms at, or just after the time of ovulation and these symptoms end abruptly at the beginning or within 24 hours of the onset of menses. In order to enable patients to cope with these symptoms specific measures are indicated. In general, conservative therapies are tried first.
The charting of your symptoms often aids in confirming the diagnosis P.M.S. and helps identify the symptoms needing treatment.
It is essential that you exercise on a regular basis (we recommend 4-5 days per week) with exercise such as cycling, swimming, jogging, extensive walking, or aerobics.
Dietary changes in the form of restriction of complex sugars, and elimination of caffeine, chocolate and other stimulants is indicated.
It is necessary that you take a B-complex vitamin daily along with vitamin B6 in a dose either 50 mg or 100 mg each day. (Both of these can be purchased from your pharmacy without a prescription).
If you have painful periods, we can prescribe an antiprostaglandin medication for that in the form of Motrin, Naprosyn, or Anaprox.
Frequently, a diuretic (water pill) is needed to decrease the bloating, headaches and fullness prior to menses. For this Spironolactone 25mg twice daily for 7-10 days before your period can be prescribed.
There are a number of medications being investigated in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. These include Naltrexone, a drug previously used to treat heroin withdrawal symptoms. This medication may help to relieve symptoms but does have a number of side effects possibly including nausea, stomach aches, headaches, and rash. Alprazolam (Xanax), (Sertraline), (Zoloft) and Fluoxetine (Prozac), which are used to treat anxiety and depression in certain psychiatric conditions also can be helpful when more conservative measures fail to alleviate these PMS symptoms.
It is clear that no single treatment will work for all PMS sufferers. The one common factor which provides some benefit is change in diet and exercise.
Print This Page
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