PMS seems to be less problematic

The last many months PMS has been mostly fine.  Such a huge relief.

I get those awful PMS symptoms at a much reduced rate and for a shorter duration each month. It's much calmer in my head most month and that is such a relief.

There was a month earlier this year where my periods were late and I had more severe PMS symptoms during the extra few days during which I was waiting for my periods to arrive. It was like the old days when I used to get PMS really severely, where my head felt like it was being squeezed from the inside. This wasn't a literal feeling, but rather an emotional squeeze. I survived, as usual. But I am thankful that this was an anomaly, not the usual way for me these days. The severe PMS and late periods was most likely due to me feeling really stressed about things in my life. I don't think I was doing enough in terms of the vitamins, minerals, supplements and stress relief. And that has changed.

I am back to doing what I normally do to reduce my PMS symptoms:

• Good quality omega 3 fatty acids in the right ratio
• Protein at each meal, like boiled or fried eggs for breakfast, sometimes a protein shake when I am in a hurry (which had been too much previously)
• Lots of leafy green vegetables - organic
• Lots of berries - organic
• Different assortment of nuts each day - organic
• Vitamin C and zinc supplement
• Magnesium and other mineral supplement in micro levels
• Exercise every day for about an hour - a mixture of strengthening, cardio, flexibility and toning exercises on different days
• Some meditation for at least 10-15 minutes most days of the week

Organic foods are my preference, because when you have PMS or really any condition, the less chemicals you put in your body, the less you're stressing it.

And for those who think this isn't enough for PMDD - well it is. I had severe PMDD and I treated it with food, supplements, exercise and meditation and it worked. Medication isn't the answer. It only masks the symptoms while your body continues in its dysfunction.

Enjoy a PMS-free month!

Exaggerated Emotions During PMS

I have recently come to the conclusion that the exaggerated emotions I experience during PMS (albeit only for 1-2 days now, at most) are unresolved emotions that I struggle with during the month.

I know this, because I get angry about things that I normal sweep aside during the rest of the month.

PMS just amplifies whatever it is I am feeling, but have not really dealt with or resolved. So, at times during the 1-2 days where I do experience PMS now, those unresolved feelings come very strongly to the fore in a very exaggerated way. The PMS is trying to force me to deal with them so I can resolve them.

I havent dealt with those issues yet and that is why the PMS continues to bring those exaggerated emotions.

Now that I have realised this, it means I can do something about it. The first step towards recovery of any sort is to acknowledge that there is a problem. So for me, I have unresolved emotional angst about a situation in my life which is making me angry and upset, but I try not to think about it too much because of the emotions that arise when I do. This is not dealing with it, but rather suppressing it. My PMS is trying to make me deal with it as it is not healthy to suppress emotions.

I shall do something about it.

Mirena for PMS and PMDD

Many gyanecologists recommend Mirena ( levonorgestrel IUD) for PMS problems, for heavy periods and for contraception.

A gynaecologist recently recommended it to me when he discovered I have fibroids. The recommendation was not to do a myomectomy because I am over 40 and therefore according to modern medicine, I am not a candidate for pregnancy so removing the fibroid is not advisable. I beg to differ.

The other option advised, but not yet, was a hysterectomy - to remove the whole uterus and the fibroids inside it. No thanks.

I have a fibroid that is about 6cm in diameter and another that is about 2-3cm in diameter. Apparently, most gynaecologists would not remove them, but would rather remove the whole uterus. Obviously they would do this, because the hysterectomy is a much more simpler operation for a surgeon than a  myomectomy, which requires a much more skilled surgeon who can operate with more finesse.

This gyaecologists did not recommend hysterectomy now, but said it may have to be an option some time down the track if the fibroids kept growing and I kept menstruating. Fibroids only usually grow during a woman's menstrual years, as the estrogen is what helps them to grow.

The gyaecologist did strongly recommend the mirean IUD - he told me that he's inserted thousands of them and that it was a wonderful device that helped so many women. I wasnt convinced. He told me to take the information home, read it and if I came to the decision to get it inserted, he could do it quite easily. I asked him how many women experienced side effects from mirena IUD and he gave a small number and told me that if it did cause any side effects in me, it could simply be removed. Again, I wasnt convinced.

The Mirena IUD does have many side effects in more women than is publicly released and I am not so sure that these have published widely enough. The statistics that the manufacturer uses are based on the women in the study groups and those who may have provided this information publicly - undoubtedly many more do not volunteer this information, so their statistics should be taken as a rough estimate and not the actual real 100% correct figure.

Common side effects from using Mirena (approximately 10%):

• Change in menstrual bleeding, such as spotting, lighter bleeding or stopping of bleeding
• Development of fluid filled sacks (cysts) in the ovaries

Less common side effects from using Mirena (1-10%)

• Abdominal pain 
• Acne 
• Back or pelvic pain
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Decreased sex drive
• Depression
• Headache
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Painful periods
• Vaginal inflammation or discharge
• Weight gain

Rarer side effects from using Mirena (0.1-1%)

• Abdominal bloating
•  Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)
•  Hair loss or hair growth
• Inflammation of the womb
• Inflammation of the cervix
• Migraine
• Mood changes
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Skin reactions such as rash or itching

Rare side effects (0.01-0.1%)

• Device expulsion
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Perforation of the womb 
• Pregnancy complications

An of course, all the side effects listed above may not even include all of the side effects that could possibly be experienced and the percentages used are provided by Mirena, so may not be 100% accurate.

There there are the lawsuits again Bayer (the company that owns Mirena) for producing a dodgy device that has caused so many side effects in many women.

References
1. Bayer - Mirena (Levonorgestrel) IUD
2. Essential Baby (Forum) - Mirena Side Effects
3. FDA - Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology Drug Use Review: Mirena (PDF)
4. FDA - Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) July 2008
5. Life After Mirena Blog
6. MedHelp - Mirena IUD Side Effects Support User Group
7. NetDoctor - Mirena (Levonorgestrel) IUD
8. Steady Health - Mirena IUD Side Effects

Exercise and Supplements Help Reduce PMS

Husmorsgymnastik - Nycop, Carl-Adam: 75 år Sverige. Höganäs, 1976

Since my unfortunate experience with the Anna's Wild Yam Cream (not recommended), I have gone back to my regular regime in terms of how I manage my PMS and period pain.
Now I am using vitamins and other supplements - quercetin, omega-3 fish oil, a multi supplement (with the B vitamins) and also stomach digestives with fibre, as the fibre helps to remove excess eostrogen from the body.

Excessive eostrogen is thought to be part of the reason why PMS symptoms occur in many women. The fibre binds with the excessive eostrogen and this enables it to be processed and removed out of the body. The fibre I use is in the form of a supplemental powder that is mixed with water (all natural ingredients, non-GMO).

I have also upped my exercise again. I am exercising for 30-45 minutes every day, varying the type of exercise I do - from walking to strength training, to cardio, to pilates to resistance training. Every bit helps to tone up the body, tone up the heart muscle and to help reduce PMS symptoms.

Exercise is an excellent stress reliever and is an excellent way to tone down those emotional PMS symptoms.

Severe Hives from Annas Wild Yam Cream

Clearly visible hives - covered about 70% of my body

It should be very clear from this photo exactly how severe the hives and welts were on my body.

Initially I estimated that about 40% of my body was covered with these hives, but that was around the start of the treatment with the cream. After I had been using it for just over 2 months, I estimate that about 70% of my body was covered in these hives that were so itchy.

The hives rash was so itchy and so painful that it was waking me up at night to scratch at my skin - mostly because I was allergic to the ingredients in the cream and secondly because the rash had extended beyond the part of my skin on which it had been rubbed.

My advice - do NOT use Anna's Wild Yam Cream or any product that does not have a full ingredient list, because you never know what is inside their product.

Anna's Wild Yam Cream Caused Severe Hives

The hives that covered about 70% of my body after using the cream

I used Anna's Wild Yam Cream for two months (and slightly into the third month) and it gave me severe itching and hives all over my body.

The photo on the left is indicative of the hives I got on every part of my body on which I used it - under the arms, stomach, breasts, inner thighs.

The itching was so severe that I couldnt sleep properly and during the day I just kept on scratching every part of my body - it was pretty horrendous. And the hives got so bad, they extended beyond the parts of my body on which I used the cream!

I sent an email to the company to ask them what was in their product and this is what I got back:

Unfortunately we are unable to give you all the ingredients within the cream as this information is commercially confidential.

If would appear as if you may be our fourth lady who has experienced this problem over our 15 years for which we are very sorry.

It would appear that you will be unable to continue with the cream, even though you mentioned it had helped you. The rash should disappear as you have now stopped its use.

We apologise for your inconvenience and hope you are feeling better soon.

I think the first sentence may be a bit disingeneous because all the products I see on shelves have their ingredients listed.

There was no offer to refund the money for the cream, nothing but the email above. And this is very disappointing that a company that purports to help women was so unhelpful to me, given my very severe symptoms.

The rash did not stop for several months after I stopped using the cream. Within a month, the rash eased off a little, but my skin was still itchy, but less than when I was using the cream. I had to use so many products to try to ease the itching.

My advice - do NOT use Anna's Wild Yam Cream or any product that does not have a full ingredient list, because you never know what is inside their product.

Using Wild Yam and Chaste Berry Cream - Update

Update on using the wild yam and chaste berry cream.

Day 5

Last night again I had a really superb sleep. All seven and a half hours.

It looks like the fatigue I was feeling was due to the extra exercise I have been doing lately. The last two nights I have had more sleep and therefore haven't felt as tired at all today. In fact, I am feeling really well and very energetic.

The indigestion and stomach discomfort I was experiencing was most likely not due to the cream, but rather to having yoghurt in my smoothie every morning for the past week and as I am lactose intolerant, it does not suit my digestion and will make me a bit ill. Usually the no-fat yoghurt is easier for me to digest and doesn't make me feel as sick quickly, but it still does make me feel a bit ill. I didnt have my usual smoothie this morning and straight away my stomach felt better, so it seems that the yoghurt was the culprit of my mild stomach discomfort.

So basically, even if the those symptoms were caused by the wild yam and chaste berry cream, they seemed to have resolved (but from the empirical evidence, it appears the cream did not cause those symptoms). 


My sinuses and nasal passages are so clear that not only can I breathe properly, but I can actually smell things around me more strongly. It's incredibly wonderful to be able to breathe through my nasal passages.


I also have a sense of well-being and calmness like I haven't had for a long time. Part of it is probably because I am having a good sleep, so feel much calmer and more relaxed and part of it is due to the cream, which is trying to normalise all my hormones and make me feel better. Whatever it is, I am truly grateful!

Wild Yam and Chaste Berry Effects

Today is day 3 of my use of the wild yam and chaste berry cream.

I have applied it five times in these last three days.

With the positive effects that I have noticed, there are also, while not completely negative, but rather, interesting effects.

Most women wouldn't notice any effects (probably), so soon after taking the cream, but because I am really sensitive, I have noticed and experienced some of these effects. They're not so bad, so hopefully they will remain this way (or just improve).

• Feeling sleepy - since yesterday (Sunday or my second day of the use of the cream), I have noticed that I have been feeling sleepier than normal. Normally I don't get to bed until 2am or even later, but since I started using the cream, I have been feeling tired around 11pm, which is highly unusual for me. It also could be associated with the fact that I have been exercising a lot more lately, so that would make me feel sleepier. I'll try to have more sleep and see if that improves this effect or not.
• Digestive problems - I have noticed that my stomach and digestion have been a bit off since I started using the cream. I normally get digestion issues, but it seems like they have been a little bit worse these past few days - for example, I have been getting a bit more gas than normal (so it's not anything too severe).  It's not really so bad that I am in pain, but rather that my symptoms are just a little worse, but not bad enough to cause me serious pain.  I'll monitor this to see if there is a correlation between the cream and my digestion symptoms.
• Dizziness - since yesterday evening, I have noticed a bit of dizziness when I turn around or get up quickly. Nothing really severe, just duly noted that it is there and just a little bit. I first attributed it to middle ear infections which I quite often get and which are caused by the chronic sinusitis I get, but since my sinuses and nasal passages are getting clearer, then it probably isn't attributed to them, but rather the cream. Even still, the dizziness is nowhere near the severeness of symptoms I get during the middle ear infections. The dizziness is very mild and I expect it will go away soon.

All of the research I have done suggests that these side effects are documented, but have never shown to be very severe and either stay at the same level or improve over time.

The sleepiness could definitely be attributed to the extra exercise I have been doing and because the cream is working on my adrenal cortex and pituitary gland, it's probably also regulating my melatonin and making me feel sleepy at normal times of the night. The digestive problems, I am not sure about. The dizziness I think will definitely improve or not get worse as it is so mild, it isn't anything to worry about.

Using Wild Yam and Chaste Berry Cream

I have started using the Wild Yam and Chaste Berry cream since yesterday (day 12), twice a day.

The interesting things that I have noticed so far from three (3) applications of the cream are (I experience the effects of herbs and medicines quite quickly, because I am so sensitive):

• Warmer body temperature - my body temperature is a little bit warmer than it normally is. I normally don't feel very warm most of the time (normally quite cold and especially more so in winter), but since I started using the cream, I not only feel warmer, but I get warmer more quickly when I am active
• 
  Clearer sinuses - now this is an interesting (in an excellent way) effect of the cream. Since yesterday, not only have my sinuses opened up that I can breathe properly, it also means I didnt experienced any sleep apnea last night, when I normally have been experiencing it quite regularly lately due to my sinuses being so blocked - no air coming in or out of my nasal passages, mouth closed and that means no breathing and hence the sleep  apnea. Additionally, my nose seems to have less blood (from the broken capillaries) than normal. Again, this is beneficial because it means my nose is getting cleared up and the sinuses are functioning much better. Having the ability to breathe through my nose is absolutely awesome

• A bit more emotional - yesterday I noticed I felt a bit more emotional after using the cream, like I had PMS (when I haven't yet started to ovulate, so it isn't that). Not overly emotional, but just a bit more tense than normal. It could be that it enhanced my state of mind which is to be a little bit tense at the moment anyway. And the manufacturer states that the cream sometimes causes the eostrogen to spike up a bit when you first start using it, but it calms down after about a week or so. Hopefully it does for me, as I dont really want to feel more emotional than I normally do and feel like I have PMS when I am not in the PMS time of the month
• More energy - both yesterday and today I have felt my energy levels increase a little bit. My energy has been quite low lately and it has been hard to get out of bed in the mornings (not just because it's Winter and that makes it hard to get up out of bed anyway). With the use of this cream, I have not has as much trouble getting up out of bed and I have been going to bed a little earlier so that should help me wake up earlier. I hope that continues to improve.

So there you have it. These are the effects of the cream so far and this is only after one and a half days. I hope I am like the women on the testimonials who wax lyrically about the wonderful effects of the cream and how much it has helped them.

Wild Yam and Chaste Berry cream

Tomorrow I am going to start using this cream to help normalise my periods.

Apparently it has enough of the natural forms of eostrogen and progesterone to help calm and regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce period pain and PMS.

The protocol is to rub about 1/4 of a teaspoon into a fleshy part of the body morning and night for every day (from day 12) until just before menstruation starts. That is the inner or outer thighs, under arms, neck or even soles of feet or the hands (for sensitive women). So there are lots of places to rub it in.

Wild yam contains diosgenin, which is a unsaponified steroid and is very much like the natural form of progesterone, completely bioidentical to the progesterone which is excreted from the ovaries. Diosgenin has the same chemical configuration to the progesterone that the body creates, which means the body will use it appropriately.

The claims for this wild yam cream suggest that it may not only help to normalise menstruation, it may also help to normal the adrenal cortex to produce the right level of hormones.

The cream also contains Chaste berry (Agnes Vitex Castus), which is well known to help normalise the hormones, prevent PMS and help reduce period pain.

Additionally, both wild yam and chaste berry may help to reduce the size and incidence of fibroids. These are benign growths usually inside the uterus wall and occur in a great majority of women, but which cause a great deal of health issues in many women.

The wild yam and chaste berry cream starts tomorrow. I am using it to reduce my severe period pain. Hopefully I see major improvements by next month's menstruation cycle.

Menstruation was very painful this month

While I had an excellent PMS, my periods were not so excellent this month.

I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I didn't exercise much, I was working insane hours and had too much pressure at work.

My stomach bloated up so much this month that I looked like I was 4-5 months pregnant. I couldn't button up my pants properly and they're made from a stretchy material!

This photo here, of a pregnant woman, is about as big as my stomach actually became!

Not only that, but I was also feeling very dizzy, like I was about to pass out any moment. That was a bit scary, especially when I was driving to work and felt this way on the highway!

I also felt very nauseous, like I wanted to throw up so badly, even though there was no reason for me to feel sick like that.

I generally don't have such painful menstruation and have only experienced these types of symptoms only a few times before.

PMS has improved quite a lot

This month, PMS was not so bad again. I just had about 1-2 days of the PMS emotional symptoms which were ameliorated when I told myself that it was just PMS and not real.

While I could tell I had PMS as my emotions were more intense and my thoughts were a bit emotional at times, I didn't have the really irrational thoughts that overwhelmed me to the point where I thought I was going to go crazy from them, like what used to happen to me during PMS before.

I used to get PMS so bad before that those erratic thoughts just totally overwhelmed me and I felt absolutely awful before. It felt like I was not in control of my emotions or thoughts (I knew I was, but with the intensity of my emotions it felt like I wasn't).

My emotions were a bit more intense, but very recognisable as PMS and the trick I use (telling myself it's only PMS, that it's not real and will go away), helps me to manage those PMS thoughts and see sense.

And even though I havent been exercising enough this past month and have been under incredible pressure at work and I have been working over 50 hours each week, I still have managed not to get terrible PMS symptoms, only the 1-2 days just prior to my periods. That is so brilliant!

All my tactics and strategies to manage PMS naturally, are obviously working well. Thank goodness!

Exercise helps to improve PMS-PMDD symptoms

A number of studies recommend exercise as a way to relieve PMS symptoms.

Exercise is a great way to not only increase aerobic conditioning of the body (especially the lungs) and improve muscle tone, it is also a beneficial technique to use to help alleviate PMS symptoms, prevent worsening of symptoms and reduce likelihood of severe symptoms in the future.

Studies evaluated whether strength training (or resistance training) vs aerobic training exercises for women with PMS and while both types of exercise are very beneficial and improve symptoms of PMS, it seems that aerobic exercise helps to improve symptoms a lot more than strength training alone.

One study also evaluated whether a high intensity training regime or lower intensity one was more beneficial for reducing PMS and managing mood and other symptoms of PMS. The study found that low impact training was better for managing the mood problems of PMS, whereas high intensity training made mood problems associated with PMS worse.

One study which reviewed previous studies on the efficacy of exercise on PMS symptoms found that while exercise did help to reduce PMS symptoms, more stringent and larger studies needed to be done in order to confirm the studies results. While this is a good idea, it does seem, from the studies conducted so far, that exercise, especially regular aerobic is necessary to ensure PMS symptoms are reduced.

Resources

• Cockerill IM, Nevill AM, Byrne NC. Mood, mileage and the menstrual cycle. Br J Sports Med. 1992 Sep;26(3):145-50. Accessed 26 July 2010
• Daley A. Exercise and premenstrual symptomatology: a comprehensive review. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2009 Jun;18(6):895-9
• Daley A. The role of exercise in the treatment of menstrual disorders: the evidence. Br J Gen Pract. 2009 Apr;59(561):241-2. Accessed 26 July 2010
• Dickerson LM, Mazyck PJ, Hunter MH. Premenstrual syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Apr 15;67(8):1743-52. Accessed 26 July 2010
• Steege JF, Blumenthal JA. The effects of aerobic exercise on premenstrual symptoms in middle-aged women: A preliminary study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Volume 37, Issue 2, February 1993, Pages 127-133

Have some mild PMS symptoms at the moment

I am at day 26 of my cycle.

This means PMS is back!

This month, it is again, not too severe. The only aspect which is more pronounced is the fluid retention and weight gain, especially in my stomach and breasts (as usual). But at least I don't have major pain.

The other major symptoms I have had this month are: food cravings for sweet foods (especially my favourite chocolate) and some emotional lows.

I haven't done much about the food cravings (I give into them), but I have been able to prevent my emotions from escalating, by telling myself, "It's only PMS and not a real emotion" a few times, after which my mental status comes back to normal. It just takes a few seconds of repeating this to myself to stop the false mood swing to negativity. Thank goodness!

I have found that the more I exercise, the more fluid I pass through my urine and the better my fluid retention symptoms get. Exercise increases circulation and also helps the lymphatic system remove any excess fluids.

I'll keep doing the exercises every day (about 35-45 minutes) and that should help a lot.

Acupressure is useful for period pain

Wind Pool (Feng Chi) acupressure point

There are a number of acupressure points which may be useful in helping to relieve menstrual pain and cramps.

The main pressure point is the one on the spleen, SP6, which helps to dramatically reduce acute period pain and cramping very quickly.

There are additional acupressure points, which also help reduce pain and cramping.

• The Sea of Energy (Qi Hai) - this is located two finger widths below the belly button. Also called Conception Vessel (CV) 6. The CV-6 point is also used to treat digestion problems, edema, and bloating.

• The Inner Pass (Nei Guan) - this is located approximately 5 cm (or 2 inches) from the wrist on the inner arm. Also known as Pericardium (PC) 6. This point has also been demonstrated, in clinical studies, to relieve vomiting and abdominal problems during pregnancy.

• The Union Valley (He Gu) - this is located in the webbing between the thumb and the forefinger. Also known as Large Intestine (LI) 4. This point is believed to aid in any problem involving chronic pain.

• The Wind Pool (Feng Chi) - this is located at the rear of the skull about two to three inches from the ear. Also called Gall Bladder (GB) 20. The GB-20 point is often prescribed for headache and hypertension.

• The Leg Three Li (Zu San Li) - this is located about one finger width from the juncture of the tibia on the outside of the leg. Also known as Stomach (ST) 36. The ST-36 point is also used to relieve any other issue involving the stomach or spleen.

• The Middle Gate (Mu Guan) - this is located about one finger width from the wrist crease on the palm. This is an extra point discovered by Master Tong, although it is on the Pericardium (PC) pathway. Mu Guan is also used for heel pain.

When doing any acupressure, use gentle pressure in a circle-like motion on the point, never press too hard and if there is any pain, stop and consult your doctor.

References:

1. AltMD: Smart Alternatives. Acupressure for Menstrual Cramps. Accessed 20 July 2010. www.altmd.com/Articles/Acupressure-for-Menstrual-Cramps
2. Lark SM. Acupressure for Menstrual Cramps. Excerpted from The Menopause Self Help Book, Celestial Arts, 1996. Accessed 20 July 2010 www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?Id=1371

Acupressure helps to relieve period pain

Photo: Ageless Herbs

Many women suffer from menstrual pain and need a more effective way to manage the pain than painkillers, which have their own set of side effects and other issue.

The best way to manage period pain is to use acupressure points on the body.

Acupressure is an ancient Oriental healing method which uses gentle to firm pressure on certain parts of the body to prevent and treat illness, including pain. Acupressure has been used for centuries in the East.

The acupressure point for relieving period pain, pictured above, is located on the inner side of the leg (either leg), about 5cm (or 2 inches) above the inner ankle. You can tell you have found the right point, as it will be a little more painful or tender than the surrounding area. Only use gentle pressure to gentle massage it in small, circular motion.

This acupressure point is known as the spleen 6 and is located on the spleen meridian,which influences the digestive system, so it means it is also useful for other hormonal disorders, like irregular menstruation, as well as immune system issues.

References:

1. Lark SM. Acupressure for Menstrual Cramps. Excerpted from The Menopause Self Help Book, Celestial Arts, 1996. Accessed 20 July 2010 www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?Id=1371
2. Los Angeles Chinese Learning Centre. A Few Commonly Used Acupuncture Points. Accessed 20 July 2010. chinese-school.netfirms.com/acupuncture-points.html

   

Painkillers are not the best way to relieve menstrual pain

Period pain, like PMS is the bane of many women's existence.

Some women experience such severe pain, that it is unbearable without some type of medical pain relief.

Period pain can be so severe that it requires the use of very strong analgesics (pain medications), even really strong opioid-type drugs (narcotics), such as pethidine to ameliorate the pain for some women.

Taking strong painkillers on a regular basis, is not advised by any medical professional, nevertheless any alternative health care provider, because they do have side effects and the more you use, the more regularly you use them, the higher the risks of side effects rises.

In addition to this, the opioid-type painkillers are addictive, which causes another set of problems in itself. It's much better to try natural ways to relieve pain.

Natural pain relief does not have the same set of risks associated with painkillers and it can help to prevent the pain becoming worse over time.

Some women can tell when they ovulate

Many women can tell when they are ovulating, as they experience a number of symptoms at the time of ovulation.

Ovulation is defined as the time in the menstrual cycle when an egg is released from one of the ovaries, down the fallopian tubes and into the uterus, ready to be fertilised and implanted.

Ovulation happens every month for most women, except during pregnancy and during most of breastfeed (although some women have become pregnant as they continue to ovulate during breastfeeding, it is the exception rather than the norm).

Ovulation is also the time after which PMS symptoms and PMDD symptoms start in a great number of menstruating women.

The main symptoms that women can feel during ovulation are:

• Higher body temperature - the basal body temperature increases slightly during ovulation and some experts recommend you take your temperature before you get out of bed to determine if you are ovulating
• Pain - it can be general in the pelvic area, or localised to either one ovary and occur near the pelvic bone
• Vaginal discharge - the vagina will secrete more and thicker mucous during ovulation

So if you're feeling that twinge of pain in the lower abdomen and have thicker vaginal discharge, you know it's most likely because one of your ovaries is releasing an egg in preparation for pregnancy. If the pain is not consistent with this, get it checked out.

Regarding ovulation, there are kits available which can test you to determine if you are ovulating. These tests are specifically aimed at women who want to know when they are ovulating in order to have sex with their partner and have a higher chance of getting pregnant. This is because the highest chance of pregnant occurs during ovulation.

PMS is a real and severe health issue for many women

Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), from mild to very severe (and severe PMS is described as having premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD) have a number of symptoms which compromise and adversely affect their quality of life and the level this is affected depends on the level of symptoms experiences - the worse the symptoms, the more adversely the quality of life is affected.

Scientists have been looking at women with PMS and have come to the conclusion that women who experience PMS symptoms experience lowered quality of life as they cannot function properly (whether it is in their relationships, work, social life) and this causes increased medical costs through more visits to doctors and subsequent lab test. It also causes indirect costs to employers through lowered productivity when a woman experiences severe PMS symptoms and cannot function or think as effectively as she normally does when not in PMS.

Women with severe PMS symptoms, especially the mental symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger can be so impaired in their ability to function normally (when not in the time of PMS), that it can cause an impairment in interpersonal or workplace functioning.

Interpersonal conflicts are common for women with PMS and that can cause a great deal of unnecessary stress in a workplace or for a woman's interpersonal relationships, which if not treated effectively and continues to escalate unabated, can mean those relationships cease to exist and employment may go on to be terminated. This of course, compounds the issue and it becomes a vicious circle.

Women with PMS must seek effective treatment for the symptoms of PMS in order to maintain a better quality of life and in order not to suffer the symptoms of this, often, debilitating condition.

Your doctor can use a Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) to help you determine how PMS symptoms are affecting your life.

There are adequate (and natural) ways to control PMS (and even the condition known as PMDD).

References:

1.  Choi D, Lee DY, Lehert P, Lee IS, Kim SH, Dennerstein L. The impact of premenstrual symptoms on activities of daily life in Korean women. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2010 Mar;31(1):10-5
2.  Freeman EW,  Sondheimer SJ. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Recognition and Treatment. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2003; 5(1): 30–39. Accessed 8 July 2010
3. Mishell DR Jr. Premenstrual disorders: epidemiology and disease burden. Am J Manag Care. 2005 Dec;11(16 Suppl):S473-9. Accessed 8 July 2010
4. Pearlstein T, Steiner M. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: burden of illness and treatment update. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2008 Jul;33(4):291-301. Accessed 8 July 2010

Antidepressants and oral contraceptives - dont work for PMDD

A recent study² which reviewed data from studies dating from 1990 to 2008 to research those randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of anti-depressant and combined oral contraceptives (COCs) to determine how much of an effect they had on women with symptoms of PMS and  symptoms of PMDD.

After reviewing the data, measurements and outcome of all of the large-scale studies, the authors of the review² noted that once the placebo effect was discounted, the actual results showed that the percentage of women who had a beneficial outcome from using SSRIs or COCs was not much more than the women who did not have any benefit from using these medications. In other words, women who used SSRIs or contracetives had the same level of PMS/PMDD symptoms as women who did not use the medications.

The authors of the review² also noted that around 40% of women with PMS/PMDD symptoms did not have a positive outcome from using the SSRIs medications - their symptoms did not improve. They also stated that treatment with COCs also does not substantially improve the symptoms in women with PMS/PMDD.

The authors of the review² suggested that "additional alternative targeted treatment modalities need to be developed" for more adequate treatment of PMS/PMDD than is currently available.

Other studies recently suggest that anti-depressants don't help people with mild to moderate depression and as depression can be one of the symptoms of severe PMS/PMDD, that suggests again, quite clearly, that anti-depressants are not going to help women with severe PMS/PMDD symptoms either.

A recent review^1,3 of a number of randomised studies of people using anti-depressants for depression found that there was little evidence that anti-depressants have an effect that is any different to a placebo for people with mild to moderate depression.  In other words, using anti-depressants and using placebos (no drug) have the same effect.

References:

1. Fournier JC, DeRubeis RJ et al. Antidepressant Drug Effects and Depression Severity: A Patient-Level Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2010;303(1):47-53. Accessed 8 July 2010
2. Halbreich U. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and initial oral contraceptives for the treatment of PMDD: effective but not enough. CNS Spectr. 2008 Jul;13(7):566-72. Accessed 8 July 2010 
3. Silverman E. Antidepressants Don’t Help Mild Depression: Study. Pharmalot online. 5 January 2010. Accessed 8 July 2010