What does PMS mean? PMS is short for Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, a group of symptoms that can afflict women for anywhere from four to seven days before the onset of their periods, leaving them in in misery. These uncomfortable symptoms impact women in different ways, including different symptoms affecting them each month. Some months, in fact, a woman may not experience any PMS symptoms at all. During other months, however, she may suffer from all of them, and be totally unable to go about her daily activities.

PMS is a Serious Medical Condition

While there are some people (including some unenlightened physicians) who do not accept PMS as being a legitimate medical condition, it has been recognized as one, and can be extremely debilitating. Up to 85% of women will be faced with dealing with some degree of PMS symptoms during their reproductive lives. PMS occurs approximately seven to ten days before a woman's menstrual period begins, and can include any (or all) of the following:

Menstrual Headaches

Acnes During Menstruation

* Tenderness of Breast Tissue

Tension

Water Retention During Period

* Backaches

* Mood Swings

Bloating during Period

insomnia

Bowel problems

lack of sexual desire

Feeling Sad

The severity of the symptoms one experiences is largely related to one's hormone levels; something that most people are able to regulate with a bit of effort. By reducing the levels of caffeine, slat, and alcohol that one consumes, for example, one can reduce hormonal fluctuations which, in turn, will reduce PMS symptoms. One should also try to reduce external stress and eliminate vitamin deficiencies because both of those can increase hormone fluctuations, thereby exacerbating symptoms.

Using Medicine Drugs for PMS

Doctors will generally prescribe either NSAIDs (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs) or SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) to attempt to treat PMS symptoms. Conventional medications, however, can only provide a little relief, because all they can do is treat the pain, not the underlying causes, such as the hormone fluctuations, of PMS symptoms. Further, the relief they provide is only for a few hours at a time.

After failing to obtain relief from conventional medications, many women decide to try natural PMS treatments to deal with both the symptoms and their causes. Further, many women choose natural PMS remedies because they want to avoid the side effects and risks that conventional medications are known to carry.

Natural Solutions for PMS

Natural PMS treatments work best when teamed with positive lifestyle changes, such as a healthier diet and a moderate exercise program. Dietary changes should, of course, be the first stage of any PMS treatment program: Eating more fresh fruits, lean proteins, and fresh vegetables will strengthen one's entire system, while limiting (or eliminating altogether) one's sugar, caffeine, salt, and alcohol intake has been shown to better regulate one's hormone levels. Further, adequate hydration is important to help flush toxins from one's body. Finally, another thing that women can do is to make sure they get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. This will allow the body to recover from the daily stresses it has to deal with. A woman should also get exercise because, in addition to strengthening one's muscles and cardiovascular system, movement and exercise is effective for relieving excruciating cramps.

Essential Vitamins

Getting one's full daily requirement of vitamins, especially Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin K, is especially important during the menstrual cycle in order to support one's body when it is under the physical stress the cycle causes. Vitamin E, specifically, is beneficial for reducing swelling and for relaxing muscles, both of which are essential for cramp reduction. So, if a woman is suffering from PMS, she should consider taking a supplement containing vitamin E.

n fact, supplements targeted to treating PMS symptoms are excellent additions to a woman's daily regimen. Some supplements, including Period Vitamin, contain a precise formulation of natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals designed specifically to support both health and the relief of PMS symptoms occurring due to deficiencies, imbalances, or both. White willow bark, another component of Period Vitamin, can - for example - reduce many of the general aches and pains that occur during the menstrual cycle because it contains salicin, which was used in the development of modern aspirin.

So, what does PMS mean to women? Depending on a woman's lifestyle, diet, and the supplements she chooses, PMS need not mean anything more than a few days of minor discomfort, because by making a few small changes to her diet and lifestyle, she can eliminate most of her symptoms.