Any advice for reducing PMT??

[Jazzi]

Seems to be getting worse each month, I am really grumpy, my body aches, I am depressed and really snappy with dp and ds's, and really tired. As soon as period starts I am fine, but I am suffering these symptoms for about 1 week before. Any help much appreciated.

ummm... I dont know how bad your PMT is, but, a medication I might be going on is also used for bad PMT. But I know there's lots of "alternative" things you can do... can't think what, but someone will know xXx

Evening Primrose oil, vitamin B6 and Starflower oil are all meant to be good for PMT. You need to take high doses, though, and it can take several weeks before you see any improvement.

I used to get really bad PMT. My mood swings were terrible and it would start about 2 weeks before I was due. I ended up seeing a homeopath. Within about 3 months my periods were regular, I was a lot calmer, less tired and generally back to 'normal' I still get PMT but usually starts a day a couple of days prior and far less severe.

Defintely worth a go.

Thanks all, will have to try these ideas, I have to do something, it isn't fair on any of us at the moment.

don't know if this is any help to you, but there is no biological known cause for what women experience as PMT. do you have any reason to dread the onset of your period - it's heavy, painful etc? Is it possible that there are other reasons for being tired or snappy that you are attributing it to your period?

Just because the cause of PMS hasn't been identified doesn't mean it's not a real entity, though. I've worked in a PMS clinic and we took it VERY seriously - I'm sure that affected women are reacting to the rapid changes in hormones that occurs in the second half of the cycle. The fact that it can respond dramatically to prozac suggests that there is something going on in the neurotransmitter levels. It really can't be explained by just dreading period pain.

The herbal treatment, agnus castus is worth a try and also magnesium supplements can be very helpful.