Severe PMS and PMDD Treatment
So instead of using drugs to avoid discomfort temporarily, it is better to start with understanding the causes of PMS and PMDD. At Women to Women we strongly emphasize and encourage the implementation of first line therapies that help the body naturally restore hormonal and neurotransmitter balance. Remember neurotransmitters are a byproduct of amino acids, which can be found readily in our food. Altering your diet to include sources that would help balance the body and regain its control by natural means is a better alternative to medication when possible.
NOTE OF CAUTION: If you are on prescription antidepressants or mood stabilizing medications, consult your prescribing doctor before making any changes in your medications. These medications cause a change in your body chemistry, and some individuals experience severe symptoms, including anxiety, chest pain, and headaches, if these medications are abruptly stopped. Nevertheless, you can always consider adding fundamental nutritional and lifestyle support measures to enhance your progress.
How birth control pills can alleviate your PMS
As women we should always try to make better lifestyle choices and focus on treatments that encourage natural alterations. But in time of need, many women opt for the birth control pill. It helps them to avoid pregnancy but most of all it helps some of them get rid of the PMS. The synthetic hormones in the pill can stop a woman’s body from ovulating. It can lead to a women feeling worse in some cases. But for some, it does tone down the symptoms of hormonal crisis prior to their menses… 
Current popular choices of contraception includes the third-generation lower-estrogen pills such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Ortho Try-Cyclen Lo, Mircette and their various generic forms, as well as the NuvaRing vaginal delivery method. The new Yasmin pill and lower dose Yaz have been shown in studies to have a significant impact on mood and physical symptoms, leading to their heavy marketing toward PMS and PMDD sufferers.
Changing the pattern of birth control pill usage is coming into increased favor now too, either by shortening the pill-free (placebo) interval at the end of each pack cycle, or by extending the length of cycles so that the women on them bleed every 6–12 weeks rather than every four. Pill choices for manipulating cycles in this way are monophasic, meaning that each pill in the pack contains the same dose of synthetic hormones, rather than being varied over the cycle. So using Ortho Cyclen, for example, would be better than trying it with Ortho Tri-Cyclen. One formulation that has been packaged and formally approved for such use is called Seasonale (or the newer Seasonique). There are many others that can be used in this fashion under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner, as long as they are monophasic and you are given enough extra packs to get you through the extended cycles.
Again, while birth control pills are popular as a form of contraception, we see there use for treating a range of women’s health issues, such as irregular cycles, acne, and symptoms of PMS, as palliative only — meaning they relieve the symptoms temporarily, but do not cure the core imbalances. The benefit of many of these medications is temporary and may require more interventions to have resolution of the symptoms.
What does “PMS” mean for you?
I hope that by understanding what PMS means for you that it will allow you to take the steps you need to transform “the curse” into an opportunity for you to see things differently and transform this time in your life to an experience you enjoy and do not dread (Read our informative article, “Reverse The Curse – Benefits Of Your Period“, for more information).
We hope that this article helped you have a better understanding of what severe PMS means for you and whether this information can help you or someone you know. It is important to get an evaluation of your health, so it will be easier for you to transform this discomfort “curse” into a blessing — being healthy. And we’re here to help each step of the way.
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