Doctors (those that take PMS seriously) sometimes offer the following treatments:



1. hormone treatment

2. psychotherapy and anti-depressant medications (for emotional symptoms)

3. ibuprofen, aspirin or other pain reliever for menstrual cramps.

Some of these treatments, such as hormone therapy, can sometimes actually worsen PMS, and only relieves physical symptoms anyway. In addition, anti-depressants can cause debilitating side-effects far outweighing the original symptoms of PMS! However there is a natural way: vitamin and herbal nutritional supplements for the treatment of PMS.

Top Ten Nutritional Supplements for PMS

The following ten vitamin and herbal <---****HYPERLINK****--->"http://www.mitamins.com">nutritional supplements are commonly used to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of PMS:

1. Calcium: Many reliable studies show this helps PMS.

2. Magnesium: A deficiency of this essential mineral may be a cause of PMS. Taking this in nutritional supplements reduces cramps.

3. Vitamin B6: This nutritional supplement is thought to help balance hormones, reduce bloating, and help the body retain magnesium.

4. Vitamin E: Helps breast pain, as well as headache, insomnia and emotional symptoms.

5. Ginkgo Biloba: This nutritional supplement helps breast symptoms, as well as emotional symptoms.

6. Flaxseed Oil: Used for breast tenderness and other PMS symptoms.

7. Evening Primrose Oil: Used similarly to flaxseed oil.

8. Licorice: (Glycyrrhiza glabra): May help prevent water retention by balancing hormones; used in herbal formulas to balance the action of other <---****HYPERLINK****--->"http://www.mitamins.com">herbs.

9. Vitamin A: This vitamin balances hormones and reduces PMS symptoms.

10. Iron: Deficiency of this may cause excess menstruation. Taking it as a nutritional supplement helps control menstrual blood loss and treat iron-deficiency anemia caused by excess menstruation.

The most common of these nutritional supplements are calcium, magnesium, and <---****HYPERLINK****--->"http://www.mitamins.com">Vitamins B6 and E; a good formula will include all of these.

In addition these five herbs are sometimes taken as nutritional supplements for PMS, though they should not be taken during pregnancy:

1. Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). This herb helps balance hormones, calm the nerves.

2. Chasteberry (Vitex abnus). Can help breast tenderness and emotional symptoms.

3. Wild Yam Root (Dioscorea villosa or dioscorea opposita). Taken as a nutritional supplement, it balances hormones and was an original source of contraceptives.

4. Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis). This herb has been used for centuries in China for premenstrual cramps, as well as a variety of menstrual symptoms. (Don't take during menses.)

5. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). This nutritional supplement is for cramps and headache.

Holistic Treatment for PMS

Besides nutritional supplements or Western-style PMS treatments, lifestyle changes recommended for PMS are:

1. daily exercise

2. avoid caffeine

3. avoid alcohol

4. healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains

5. soy in the form of soymilk, tofu, edamame or tempeh for its phytoestrogenic effect (avoid soy powder)

6. reduced sugar intake as well as meat and dairy

7. plenty of rest, especially at crucial times during the menstrual cycle when symptoms are worsening

8. drink 8 glasses of water a day

There is a wide variety of safe, natural treatments that are tried and true for PMS. Whether you try nutritional supplements or some other approach, you can soon feel much better!