Herbal/homeopathic remedies for PMT

[Onadowner]

Hi everyone

I suffer from v bad PMT(especially since having DS) and DH and DS are suffering no end for it every month.

DH is getting v impatient with me so I want to do something active about it.

However, I do not want to take medication from the DR or tie up the DR's time with something which is not serious, as such.

Anyone know any good off the shelf herbal (or other) remedies for this condition?

Tx

Do you already take evening primrose oil? I've found that really helps. Make sure you get high dosage capsules and take three a day (check the package, but always go for the max recommended dose). It takes a couple of months to kick in.
Agnus Castus (available from Boots and health-food shops) is generally recommended as a regulator of the relevant hormones so could also help with PMT.
But if you are finding it is causing problems for you at home, then you will not be wasting the doctor's time if you see them. If you are particularly keen to avoid prescription medication then you could try a medical herbalist who will give you a personalised remedy.
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Apparantly the primrose is now under threat because of the amount of evening primrose oil on sale!

Anyway if it doesn't work I find simply eating lots of carbohydrate helps (white bread, pasta), although I have a friend who says cutting out carbohydrate helps - either might be worth a try.

Hi OnaDowner

I saw a homeopath for PMT that had worsened since the birth of ds - she gave me calcarb200 (I think?) it is very potent and it needed to be carefully administered (ie, not everyday and depending upon my cycle) I found an improvement in PMT the next month. Because homeopathy is about treating the person, the nearly two hours i spent with her talking about myself (!) were of immediate benefit also

I can recommend homeopathy as a good alternative medicine, my dh's asthma has been almost obliterated and she is working on my dad's diabetes and he now has balanced blood sugar for the first time in years. In addition, she gave us a fab cold remedy which we both used this am and found to have almost instant effect

It could be worth an appointment with a professional - I'm sure there'll be a professional organisation who will recommend one in your area

HTH

I don't exactly get PMT, but I have HUGE breasts which throb like nuclear reactors every month. I went to my GP and got progestogen tablets to try to reduce heavy periods but it has made the breast pain a lot worse. I tried to explain to the GP that the breast pain is serious, I can't lift or cuddle the kids, walking is painful as they jiggle too much, I can't wash the dishes in the sink and at night I have to lie down before i take my bra off. So do I persevere with the progestogen and can anyone recommend something for breast pain. If I could afford it, I would have a breast reduction.

Clary Sage essential oil (sniffed) is very calming and works for me - teamed up with 70% proof chocolate if things are really bad.

Can I also recommend homeopathy ? I was prescribed some very helpful remedies by a homeopath earlier this year, but can't remember what they were as have finished the course and thrown the packets away. In any case, as Zoe says, you need to see the homeopath in person and have a course of remedies prescribed that are specific to you. My appointment cost £50, which seemed expensive at first, but consisted of a very thorough interview and assessment as well as the remedies. Follow-up appointments (which you may or may not need) are considerably cheaper. Try & go through recommendation and see someone accredited by the Faculty of Homeopathy or similar.
You have my sympathies ? PMT is a horrible thing.

Try a calcium supplement - one with magnesium - plus a good multivitamin with B vits etc. Premence and Osteocare are designed to be taken together. They are supposed to help particularly with mood swings and gloom. Evening Primrose oil seems to help with breast tenderness but not the emotional side so much. The pill helps some women by smoothing the hormonal fluctuations. Improving your diet (more fish, fruit & veg, less sugar) and drinking more water can also help mood dramatically IME.

Agnus Castus tincture, about 15 drops a day. Worked an absolute treat for me. It has a regulating effect on hormones and so helps to correct any imbalances. Also well worth taking a really good multivit & mineral tablet as I'm sure that most busy mothers are probably not getting enough of everything.

I also take Agnus Vitae in tincture form and it has made a major difference to my PMS - I get mine from Artemis:
www.artemisherbs.co.uk
put Agnus Vitae in the search and it will take you to some information.

I had tried most other things, EPO, progesterone, magnesium and was pretty despondent about anything else working for me. I'm b/f so was limited in what I could take and was recommended Agnus Vitae, no-one was more surprised that sceptical me when I felt an almost immediate effect!!

PMS is serious, please don't feel it isn't, you are important and so are your life and your relationships, PMS stops you from being the person you want to be. I recognise the feeling about not wanting to go to the DR - try Agnus Vitae - you've nothing to lose

Please let us know how you get on and keep talking ...

Big (((hugs)))

Tx for all your suggestions.

I shall try the 'off the shelf' remedies first and then if they don't work, try something a little more personalised.

Must dash now as DS is wrecking the Christmas tree.

Have a great Christmas and New Year everyone.

Before I had first child, I used to get bad PMS, and the best thing I found for that was Piridoxin aka Vitamin B6. It might take a few months to figure out the correct dosage though: take it for a week or 10 days before you expect your period, start with the dosage recommended on the bottle and gradually increase it every month until your urine smells like the vitamin pills, or, if they are odourless, like yeast. Then reduce until you no longer feel the smell, and that is the correct dose. I'm afraid I don't remember where I got this advice, but it worked for me. And if the PMS got bad again then I would just tweak up the dose during that cycle until I could smell the 'smell'. I find that I must take vitamin supplements early in the day, and definitely not with my supper as they can be somehow stimulating, like caffeine.

Hi I suffer from the same horrible horrible 'affliction' every month. It got so bad I went to the doctor. All they gave me was anti-depressants!! They were no good so I stopped them. I'm so glad to read all your comments and the herbal remedies recommended.

I will try some of the ones suggested and hopefully they will make a big improvement. My OH will certainly thank you as well if they work