PMS What Can I Do to Relieve the Emotional Symptoms?

Updated on May 28, 2009
K.K. asks from Erie, PA
26 answers

Is there anything i can take, or avoid, to help with the mood swings and general out of control Hormonal stuff that comes with the whole PMS??? I hate being such a mess. Thanks.
I should add that the cramping isn't really a problem, it's more feeling depressed, moody, and mean two weeks out of the month before my period comes, once it starts, i'm so relieved the cramping is not a big deal at all. thanks again ladies.

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M.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Stop at the East End Food Coop and ask for some help in selecting a suppliment for PMS that has vit E, C & B6, magnesium, zinc, iron and chromium. Follow directions in taking.

Eat plenty of Apples, celery and grapes the week before to help control water weight gain.

You can look up Herbalism infusion, Homeopathy treatments for, Aromatherapy essentials and flower essences for PMS that might yeild some suggestions you can implement.

Lots of good stuff without a pill to help.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Talk to you gynecologist. I know when I was on a certain birth control pill, I was a MESS--moody, emotional, miserable and generally a bit on the psycho side. If that's not it, he or she can recommend some things to try. You don't have to live that way. Good luck!

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A.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I was going to say what Chelsea a couple posts down said. My GYN prescribed a med that is made for this which is basically like Prozac that you take starting mid-cycle to start of period. I chickened out on taking it though because I have had a bad experience with Prozac in the past. Sounds like it works great for Chelsea though. Might be worth a try because the emotional part of PMS for some is really nothing to be taken lightly.

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S.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi K.,
Vitamin B6 is a miracle!!!! Most women are deficient in B6, but most of us don't notice it until PMS. The deficiency can cause moodiness, crankiness, agitation, fatigue, foggy thinking, etc. Try different amounts to determine what your body needs, I usually need about 100-200 mg per day (just once in the morning), during PMS. I take less during the follicular phase of my cycle. By all means consult your doctor. Good luck to you!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hey K.

You really should talk to you Gyn. If you really know the symptoms are severe maybe it's PMDD? I don't know how you feel about birth control pills, but just taking a regular old birth control pill made almost all of my PMS symptoms disappear. Now, they make a pill (Yaz?) to specifically treat PMDD - the more severe form of PMS. Good luck, but definately talk to your Gyn.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.W.

answers from Erie on

protein and iron. During PMS I was always totally exhausted, and had no emotional energy for anything -- hence I would lose it very easily. . . . . Don't do drugs for it, simply eat better working your way in. Proteins in your system help you metabolize iron, and iron will give you more stamina, which should ease some of the emotional trauma because your body will be stronger and more capable of handling stress. And speaking of stress -- B vitamins help you cope with stress. Those will help, too.

The best vitamins I know of are from Shaklee.com; but they cost more than buying them off the shelf I buy them anyway, because they are the healthiest options, and metabolize really well, but it's up to you what you do ! :-)

1 mom found this helpful
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F.H.

answers from Sharon on

Anti-depressants can help but the have also found that GLA's may help. I take a omega 3, 6 and 9 complex that helps take a bit off an edge off mine. It has various fish olis, flax seed oil and borage I think and one more.

I suffer from depression anyway but don't really like the way meds make me feel. I was able to go to a therapist who trained me in techniques to manage depression and anxiety.

Plenty of rest and good nutrition is always a plus for anyone to help prevent mood swings. Exercise can be a big plus to.

I also mark my mood swings off on a calendar. I go through a 4 week cycle as my body reacts to every hormone change. I get more manic and anxious during ovulation, then depressed, then depressed and moody and then I start to come out of it before the cycle starts all over again. Marking this cycle off on a calender helps me be prepared so I can implement the right strategies to overcome my moods. Thus has been a great help to me.

Good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Allentown on

Herbals to try include Black Cohosh, Dong Quai; Soy: soymilk and/or tofu. Progesterone cream is an OTC you might also try. Lots of walking, jogging or other cardio exercise (for the endorphins). Stay away from processed food (including white sugar, white flour, and all junk food!) and (sigh) caffeine. You'll be healthier anyway!
Best of luck.
L.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.Y.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi, I used to suffer from bad cramps and extreme moodiness. It runs in my family. I have been taking a multivitamin w/ iron called Isotonix Multivitamin (Multitech is the old name) for years now. It is predigested so you absorb more of the vitamins and minerals than regular vitamins sold at the drug store. Pills and other forms of vitamins take 30 minutes sometimes to be absorbed and then your body usually doesn't absorb all of it...that's why usually your urine is darker afterward (because you're excreting the stuff that wasn't absorbed). This is absorbed in 5 minutes.

When my husband suggested I take it because I'm a vegetarian I resisted but I decided to try it. Well, for months afterward I didn't even know I was getting my cycle until it came. I didn't know why but I was thrilled..no more screaming at people, feeling like I wanted to crawl into a ball and die, etc. After a few months, it dawned on me that it might be the multivitamin but I wasn't sure. I also didn't want to admit to my husband that it was helping me ;) but it was confirmed when I ran out of it one time and got a bad case of PMS. I was miserable again...haven't missed a day since! I still get some minor weepies here and there but the weepies I can deal with...feeling awful, miserable, moody, crampy, and angry at the world I don't like. I hope you find something that helps. If you'd like to try the Isotonix Multivitamin go to www.shopyed.com and click on Health & Nutrition and then General Health (in the window that pops up). Or you could probably just search for it.

Don't forget to get the one w/ iron. Women need the iron, men don't that's why there are two different ones. I hope you are feeling better soon...I remember what it felt like and I don't envy you.

1 mom found this helpful

M.C.

answers from Pittsburgh on

take a walk it has helped for me tremendously.I find myself in the same situation, I'm not as short with my kids, or my husband cause they always ask what's wrong and we are quick to say NOTHING but just leave me alone. Sometimes I wissh men would get pMS and they would feel how we feel ya kknow what I'm saying. K. try to exercise whatever you choose get an ipod listen to your favorite music and walk it is free and you'll feel much better 3 times a week if you can. Hope that helps. M.

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C.H.

answers from Allentown on

stay away from caffine. Black cohosh can try ask the doc if really bad.

B.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi K., Drink lots of fluids, NO CAFFINE of any kind, excerise, get out into the sun, lots of leafy green veggies. This will make you feel better but it will take a bit of time. Talk to your OB/GYN too, no one should have to suffer in 2009!! Best wishes.

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D.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Have you tried Pamprin? You can find it in any multi purpose store near the cold meds. etc. It works like a charm for me and I rely on it. Chocolate is always a good back up plan. Good Luck

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R.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

My doctor advised Weleda Liver detoxifier :
http://usa.weleda.com/our-products/shop/hepatodoron.aspx
Heptadoron. I take it when I Ovulate until I menstruate. It works really well to keep me balanced emotionally. Also helps very well with acne breakouts that are hormonaly related at this time in my cycle.

Hope this helps

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A.K.

answers from Philadelphia on

I have two friends who suffer from hormonal/mood swing stuff during pms and one is taking agnus castus and says it is working for her and the other is taking evening primrose oil and says she feels better.

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N.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi K. - YES! Eat Healthy Chocolate all month long and you will find relief. Hard to believe but true. This line of nutritional suppliments helps - naturally, with many and even doc's with biohormone replacement therapy are suggesting Healthy Choc. Call me for a sample. N. ###-###-####

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T.M.

answers from Allentown on

K.,
Go to your family dr. $10.00 co pay ... he will help you . be honest .
everyone suffers if you do not treat this 'illness'
It disapates when hot flashes arrive !
good luck
t

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C.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

talk with your ob/gyn or family doc. there is a short-acting medication that you take two weeks before your period begins, and then stop taking when your period starts. then you start up again next cycle. it's basically prozac. helped me (and my family :)) a ton!

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K.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

Try over the counter Midol and other equivilents to help with cramping and moodiness. My sister and I didn't realize it helped with moodiness and she bought it mainly for cramping. Read the bottle and thought hey, let's see if it helps my mood. Low and behold, it did! Start with those over the counters. If those don't help enough then see your doc for some prescription meds. There is many out there that can help.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
chat and events within 2 hour radius

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S.C.

answers from Williamsport on

OK, I don't know if it would help for you, but after my doctor put me on Celexa (anti-depressant) my PMS got a bit better. It just took the edge off of the monthly urge to rip someone's head off!

Talk to your family doctor or OB/GYN about your PMS problems, and see if they can come up with a solution. For some of us, a prescription for birth control pills helps because it can even out the hormonal hills & valleys.

Hang in there.

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L.N.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I started using Natural Progesterone Cream on days 12 till I start, so far, I was less moody last month, just seemed all around better. I am gonna use this every month !!!

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C.G.

answers from Scranton on

Hi K.,

I was going throught the same thing. I could not stand the roller coaster so I finally called my gyn. I am taking standard birth control pills and he adjusted how I take them. I don't know if that is your situation or not but it helped me get off the mood coaster. LOL

Good Luck!!!

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R.B.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hiya! Sounds like PMDD.... It's Pre-menstral Dysphoric Disorder. (spelling) Google it, and then ask your doctor for the solution that's best for you. I suffer from this also and was given anti-depressants. (I stopped taking them for personal reasons, so i still suffer with it!) Your doctor may suggest this as a solution in combination with birth control. (I was unable to use the birth control as my doctor said my hormones were crazy enough, and i didn't need anymore!!!) Hope this helps, good luck!!

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I would tell you that you can take vitamin b.B6 is supposed to help with pms. If you feel that it is very severe, i would talk to your doctor.There is another form of pms which is called pmdd. it is supposed to be a severe form of pms. they advertise it on the the yaz commercial. this is the one that is a different type of birth control that is supposed to help with this issue. If you just had a baby,it could be your hormones regulating themselves. hope this helps. good luck

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R.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi. PMS by Natures sunshine is used for relief of symptoms associated w/ pms, including nervous irritablility, bloating, cravings & discomfort. If interested you can become a member for free and they ship their products quickly. I know of many this has worked for. have a great day. please check out my website for nature sunshine products: www.mynsp.com/ritak

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L.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

There is of course alot of over the counter medication you can take but if you want to try something herbal-- It will help the moodswings---Evening Primrose oil.Look into it It has many benifits
God Luck!

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