Is Premenstrual Syndrome normal? I have had it all my adult life and all my friends have it, I thought it was normal …
I hear these words over and over in my clinic. Keep reading if you are curious to know more.
What is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?
Premenstrual syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that a woman experiences to different degrees in the period between ovulation and menstruation.
It is estimated that 75% of women have experienced some kind of premenstrual syndrome during their lifetime.
These symptoms can come in different forms and in different degrees. In severe cases they can be very debilitating and affect your health and daily activities.
What are the symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome?
We can divide them into two groups:
Emotional and behavioural signs and symptoms
- irritability or anger
- mood swings
- sadness
- tension or anxiety
- food cravings
- insomnia
- poor concentration
- low sex drive
Physical signs and symptoms
- low back pain
- breast tenderness
- abdominal pain or bloating
- tiredness
- diarrhoea or constipation
- headaches
- acne
- joint or muscle tenderness or pain
In most severe cases these symptoms can last up to two weeks and generally disappear once your menstruation has started. However for the majority of women they may only last a few days and will not greatly affect there daily lives.
What are at the causes of Premenstrual Syndrome?
What causes PMS exactly is unknown but several factors may play a role:
- hormonal imbalances
- low energy levels
- sleeping issues
- depression or anxiety
According to Chinese medicine diagnosis, premenstrual syndrome is caused by an imbalance in different organs that can be diagnosed by a trained and experienced Chinese medicine practitioner.
In my experience acupuncture delivers excellent results in helping relive premenstrual symptoms and the benefits can be felt already in the first month of treatment. In women who are starting fertility treatment (more information in this articles about acupuncture and fertility and best tips to improve your fertility), PMS symptoms are almost always present and are the first ones to improve.
Is PMS normal?
In my opinion having treated a lot of women, PMS is not normal.
Experiencing physical and emotional changes consistently before your period is a sign the something is not functioning properly. Even though these days it seems that many women experience PMS, it does not make it normal and certainly not a pleasant experience. PMS as well as period related problems can affect your fertility and it’s worth finding solutions to fix them. If you are not planning on getting pregnant, it is still worth addressing them to feel healthy and balanced.
How can acupuncture and Chinese medicine help PMS?
Chinese medicine has been a thriving medical system for over 2000 years.
It incorporates acupuncture, herbal medicine, along with diet and lifestyle advice to treat you holistically as an individual in a natural way.
Acupuncture is clinically proven to help with:
- cramping pain during your period
- mood swings during PMS
- heavy or scanty bleeding during your period
- high stress levels and fatigue
How do we set up a treatment plan?
To find a diagnosis many questions are asked during your first consultation. Consequently, we will use a combination of acupuncture points that addresses the diagnosed organs and will start the process of rebalancing your body. Simultaneously we will address your nervous system to calm stress within the body.
Normally we see you twice a week for the first three weeks and then once a week until we have your symptoms under control and you can fully feel the benefits of the treatment. In addition to acupuncture you may receive herbal medicine to reinforce the treatment effect.
Additionally you will get diet and lifestyle advise as this will further reinforce your treatment plan. And no matter how mild or severe your symptoms may be, this will speed up the goal to make you PMS free.
There is no quick or miracle cure for PMS but being our area of expertise, we know we have something to offer you on your journey to health and wellness.
What other things can you do to help relieve PMS?
You can help reduce your PMS by making changes in the way you eat, exercise or deal with your daily life.
Try the following:
- eat more-frequent and smaller meals if you experience bloating and low appetite
- drink less caffeine and alcohol
- drink more water
- incorporate light exercise into your daily routine, at least 30 minutes/day of brisk waling, cycling, swimming or other types of exercise should suffice
- reduce stress
- get plenty of sleep
- practise relaxation or deep-breathing exercises
How to make an appointment for PMS with PUNTOS de Salud?
Book a consultation or phone the clinic on 722 77 60 77 to schedule your appointment today.
