Women find a number of different recommendations for relieving the symptoms associated with PMS, including homeopathic remedies for PMS, herbal remedies, the best diet, PMS exercise plans and prescription medications. Here we look at some of these options and the theories on which they are based.
Based upon the theories of Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), traditional homeopathic remedies for PMS would involve evaluating a woman?s symptom or symptoms and finding a substance that, when given to a healthy person, would cause that same symptom or symptoms. For example, if a woman was feeling bloated; then a homeopathic healer might recommend bovista, a type of mushroom. If Hahnemann, himself came up with this remedy, he ate the mushroom, observed that it caused his hands or feet to swell and made a note of it. (He did this with hundreds of different herbs and plants.) Then, when someone came to him for treatment of a condition, he found the plant or herb that caused those symptoms when he ingested it. In a greatly diluted form, he would give it to the patient. He called this treating ?like with like?.
Chemically speaking, it has been found that homeopathic compounds are so heavily diluted that nothing of the original material remains. But, homeopaths believe that some ?essential property? of the substance remains and that the more it is diluted; the more potent is the remedy. None of this has any basis in scientific fact, but sometimes, when people believe in a treatment it can work. In a small double blind, placebo controlled study; women receiving personalized homeopathic remedies for PMS experienced significantly fewer symptoms over a period of three months.
Not many scientific studies have been conducted concerning homeopathic remedies for PMS. Homeopathy is not a scientific form of treatment. It is belief-based. Numerous studies have been conducted concerning choosing the best diet, PMS relieving foods and vitamins. Studies do not always return consistent results, but the majority of evidence indicates that the best diet, PMS-wise, is one that is high in complex carbohydrates; fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, there is evidence that soy isoflavones, which have an estrogen like effect on the body, are helpful.
Several theories have been used to develop the best diet, PMS relieving foods and vitamins. One is that eating carbohydrates increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that transmits signals between nerves in the brain and body. It is important in mood regulation, appetite and sleep cycles. In one study, women with PMS symptoms like depression and irritability were given either dietary supplementation of carbohydrates or an antidepressant. Both were found to relieve symptoms effectively.
Plant estrogens, like soy isoflavones, are sometimes suggested for inclusion in the best diet, PMS-wise, because of the theory that low levels of estrogen during the two weeks preceding menstruation cause most of the symptoms associated with PMS. This is the reason that some doctors prescribe birth control pills and other hormone containing medications for women with PMS, even though they are not approved by the FDA for this use.
Modern herbal remedies are based on treatments used by traditional healers from different cultures around the world for thousands of years. Ancient healers used ?tests? similar to those used by Hahnemann, except that they looked for herbs and plants that ?relieved? symptoms, rather than those that ?caused? symptoms. Many of the first effective medications were found in this way. Today, scientists study the chemical composition of plants, test them in laboratory settings, typically first on cell lines, then on animals and finally in clinical settings on humans for safety and effectiveness. There is really no question that traditional homeopathic remedies for PMS are safe, when used as directed. Whether or not they are effective can not be proven scientifically. As previously mentioned, there is no chemical compound to test.
Modern homeopaths have changed their view of treatment, to a certain extent. Some now recommend black cohosh for PMS relief. Black cohosh was used traditionally by Native American healers for a number of reasons. It was used to correct hormonal imbalance, was an effective diuretic and a mild sedative. It is now widely recommended by herbalists for PMS relief. However, homeopathic remedies for PMS that contain black cohosh may be heavily diluted and therefore ineffective.
The FDA has not approved any prescription medications for typical PMS, but because some medications are approved for treating a severe form of PMS, known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, doctors sometimes prescribe them. Like herbal remedies, the best diet, PMS vitamins, etc. but unlike homeopathic remedies for PMS, prescription medications are based on theories relating to the cause of the syndrome. Either hormonal changes, changes in brain chemicals, the effects that hormones have on brain chemicals or hypersensitivity to any of these changes are the suspected causes. No one knows for sure.
Many people do not understand how homeopathic remedies for PMS or any other condition are supposed to work. Designing traditional homeopathic remedies for PMS is unlike designing the best diet, PMS herbal remedies or supplements. Nor is it similar to the holistic approach which would typically involve lifestyle changes, meditation and stress management techniques. Traditional homeopathy bears no resemblance to acupuncture, biofeedback or any other form of alternative or conventional medicine. This informational article was not intended to be critical of traditional homeopathic healers, nor those who believe in them. It was only written to help women searching for answers to better understand different treatment options.
