How does evening primrose oil help PMS?
447124
No idea what is it never heard of it
863341
Roxylee, I'm not a doctor but if I may, it could be that the low estrogen and progesterone levels just before your period are responsible for PMS.  One of the PMS sequellae is URI.  Does this explanation make sense to you?
55700
Approximately 3 to 9 percent of women experience premenstrual changes so severe they can't keep up their daily routines. Some experts say these women suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition characterized by intense emotional and physical symptoms that occur between ovulation and menstruation. In other words, PMDD is like supercharged PMS, and is thought by some to be a subtype of depressive disorder. \n\nPMDD symptoms include: \n\n* Markedly depressed mood. A symptom of MDD is depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day. \n\n* Decreased interest in usual activities. One criterion for MDD is markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all activities. \n\n* Lethargy, fatigability or lack of energy. Similarly, patients with MDD have fatigue or loss of energy. \n\n* Hypersomnia or insomnia--also symptoms of MDD. \n\nFrom: \nhttp://www.apa.org/monitor/oct02/pmdd.html\n\nTreatment can include non-pharmacological--relaxation, light therapy, cognitive-behavioral treatment. There is some evidence for a variety of medical treatments--calcium, evening primrose oil, antidepressants, hormones, and others. Read about detailed treatment discussion at http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3357.htm\n\nThis is worth a discussion with your physician. OB/GYN physicians are often good with this. Especially helpful if you have kept track of the symptoms, when they occur, and how it affects you.\n\nThere are some support groups for women with pmdd, and you might want to check those out. There are several discussion forums on the Internet, which can sometimes be helpful reading, although remember that anybody can post to these and you can't always know if the information is accurate or not:\nhttp://pmdd.proboards20.com/index.cgi\n\nThere is also a forum for men who are partners of women with pmdd:\nhttp://www.network54.com/Forum/283990/\n\nHope these resources are helpful to you. Get some assistance with this. It will make a big difference.
660983
If it is actually due to menopause symptoms, soy and black cohosh are supposed to be helpful.  Without knowing your menstrual history, still having problematic hot flashes after sixty seems as if the symptoms may have lasted a long time.  This combined with your statement that HRT did not help, makes me wonder whether the cause is not something else.  Have you considered consulting an endocrinologist?
1072660
Oh, honey, I am so sorry!  This is exactly why I had to go off the pill.  You would think it would make you more even-tempered, but NO.  At least not in my case, and apparently not in yours, either!  That's not to say I don't still have PMS ... but one thing that helps is being able to know what it is.  When you know you're reaching that time of the month, prepare yourself & your family!  As soon as I can tell myself (and my family) that I'm in a foul mood due to PMS, I feel like I can better control it.  Other than that, I would say you can ask your dr. if it's okay to take things like St. John's Wort, or if he has other suggestions.  He may suggest a lower dose of the pill, but it sounds like you've already tried that.  But he may have other suggestions as well.  I feel for you ... it's not fun for anybody!
212053
There are a dozen or more symptoms of PMS, ranging from physical (sore breasts, bloating) to emotional (crying uncontrollably, turning into b*tch queen of the universe - um, I mean, irritability). So far, they haven't figured out exactly what causes PMS, and therefore don't know exactly how to treat it. There's a good link below about PMS.\n\nPersonally, I've found that for my BQotU tendencies, taking Vitex (Chastetree Berry) daily makes a huge difference. You can get it at GNC or through drugstore.com (I like Nature's Way brand). You have to take it all the time, like a vitamin supplement, not just during PMS. It takes a couple of months to kick in, but once it does, you'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel. I took it for a couple of years and then stopped about a year ago. In the last few months I've had the ugly monster rear its head, so I've started taking it again.
861388
the first two answers is just what happened when I went to doctor and he said after my blood tests came back to wait a while CZ my levels were fine but then I started taking a herbal remedy called black cohosh and I only took it a few times about 3 times In a months time and all the symptoms stopped except irregular periods but I can deal with that at least the hot flashes stop etc etc and mood swings only once a month as it was before normal with periods no different!!!!!
1080023
It's not really a normal part of PMS more like a symptom of PND (Pre-menstural Depression).  There are various strategies for coping with it many of which are diet or vitamin/mineral based.  The link below will be able to tell you much, much more...\n\nGood Luck.
1095091
no, cos my mom takes evening primrose ad sometimes calcium pills with glucosamine. so i guess its alright, since my moms been taking it for about a year already and shes still alive and kicking. =)
251434
I usually take tylonel pm!! It really helps!!\n\nGood Luck\n*RZ*
1016705
I used to be the queen of crams...it was just horrible!!\n\nHere are some tips that help me out and will most deffinately help you.\n1. being on the pill helps a bit with pain but most importantly with  the timing of your period so its not late or early.. but exact\n2. dont know if anyone has heard of this but it WORKS!... try some fish oil softgels (i  take 1000mg).. their pills and you will notice the difference within your next period or second period if it takes longer.\n3. chamomile tea is good too try it out, it helps with the pain\n4. finally, a really good advice the heat patches, put them on your tummy and they will calm the cramps away!\n\nthese are some tips that i want to pass on to you any all the girls who suffer from bad cramps..
207181
PMS is a common phenomenon many women experience Although the exact cause is unknown, there has been much research done on how to manage and control many of the symptoms.\n\nIf you are experiencing PMS and feel that your symptoms are bad or you are having excessive bleeding with your period, TeenHealthFX suggests that you seek medical assistance. You can also get more information on PMS in general from a doctor or other health professional. If you live in northern New Jersey you can contact the Adolescent Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.6475 or outside of this area you can go to a teen health clinic or local Planned Parenthood.
200968
Evening Primrose Oil capsules.
861823
Evening Primrose Capsules.
1075738
Actually there are a few vitamins you can take to help with your period symptoms if you have a nutritional deficiency.  I'm not a doctor but it's been said that most people even those who eat well are still deficient in nutrients so a good all-around vitamin like Centrum is good to take\n\n- Vitamin B6 helps regulate menstrual cycles and encourages fertility by promoting a more regular ovulation\n- Vitamin B12 deficiency "can aggravate menstrual disturbances, including irregular cycles"\n- Vitamin D may help curb PMS symptoms\n- Vitamin E helps to regulate the menstrual flow "by cutting back on excessive blood loss or increasing scanty bleeding" and in addition it is believed to increase female fertility by regulating ovulation.\n- Calcium may reduce symptoms of PMS\n\nMany modern day women have a huge amounts of estrogen due to increased sugar consumption.  If you cut down a lot on sweet foods (don't drink soda, eat candy in moderation) and it will help you.  I personally have been using Emerita Pro-gest Cream for several years now because I stopped getting my period altogether because my estrogen was so out of whack.  It's a more natural alternative than taking the pill.  Massaging this progesterone cream into the skin and eating a lot less sugar helped me to get my period back.  Not only did I have it back but it is now lighter and shorter than it's ever been before, and it's not painful!!  You can buy the cream online or you can find it at drugstore.com or pretty much any health food store.  Hope I've helped, let me know how everything works out!
501813
Evening primrose oil capsules! Get them in your pharmacy!#\nSeriously they are a godsend. They lighten the flow and take away the cramps. Honestly!! Try them out!\nPs - yes its normal to bleed more when active.
609669
The regular use of the following Homeopathic Prescription will regulate all irregularities in your periods.\n1.PSORINUM 1M just one dose per week.\nFollowed by 4 tablets each of the following Tissue Salts at least 3 times a day half hour before meals:-\n\n1.CALCAREA PHOS 6X\n2.FERRUM PHOS 6X\n3.NATRIUM MUR 6X\n\nAll of these are Side Effects free Homeopathic Remedies.\nTake care and God Bless you ! \n\nP.s.\nIf the remedies don't make a difference in a week.\nI would advise you to please put up more details about yourself and tell us exactly how and what you feel in your own words.So  i can amend or correct your treatment.\nTake care