When is pms over

No one knows for sure what causes PMS. It seems to be linked in part to changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. PMS is not caused by stress or psychological problems, although these may make the symptoms of PMS worse. Your doctor will ask you to keep track of your symptoms on a calendar. If your symptoms follow the same pattern each month, you may have PMS. Your doctor may want to examine you and do some tests to rule out other possible problems.

He or she may also want to talk about your eating habits, exercise habits, your work, and your family. PMS cannot be prevented or avoided. For some women, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly may ease PMS symptoms.

There is no cure for PMS, but taking medicine may help. Consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen, to help ease cramps, headaches, backaches, and breast tenderness. Depending on your PMS symptoms and how severe they are, your doctor may prescribe medicine for you.

You may need to try more than one medicine to find the treatment that works best for you. Medicines that your doctor can prescribe include diuretics, antidepressants, and birth control pills. Diuretics help your body get rid of extra sodium and fluid. They can ease bloating, weight gain, breast pain, and abdominal pain. Diuretics usually are taken just before you would normally experience these symptoms in your menstrual cycle and can be stopped when they are no longer needed.

Antidepressants can help with the severe irritability, depression, and anxiety that some women experience as part of PMS. These medicines are usually taken every day, even when you feel fine. Birth control pills help by evening out your hormone levels throughout your cycle.

You can buy medicines without a prescription to help with the symptoms of PMS. These medicines usually combine aspirin or acetaminophen with caffeine, antihistamines, or diuretics. Some over-the-counter pain relievers can also help. These medicines can work well for mild or moderate PMS. Talk to your doctor before you try one of these drugs.

Then you can change your diet, exercise, and schedule to get through each month as smoothly as possible. Diagnosis relies on an examination of your medical history and a description of the symptoms. In most cases, it is recommended that you keep a daily symptoms diary to help identify whether you have PMS. Include the details of your menstrual cycle — for example, the first and last days of your menstrual period.

Keep this daily diary for at least two menstrual cycles. Consult with your doctor or healthcare professional during this trial period. If you experience PMS symptoms you may crave high-fat and high-sugar foods like chocolate, biscuits and ice cream, which can cause weight gain. You can manage your weight and help reduce your PMS symptoms by making a few dietary changes.

You might like to try:. There are different types of medications and hormone treatments available to help you manage your symptoms. Many women feel they benefit from a variety of other therapies, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, and complementary therapies. If you would like to use complementary therapies, it is important to seek advice from a qualified professional.

Let your doctor know about any herbal or complementary therapies you are using. Complementary therapies should be viewed as a medicine and treated with the same respect. Complementary therapies that can help reduce PMS symptoms include calcium, vitamin D and vitex agnus-castus. Many herbal or complementary medicines can have side effects. Make sure you are well informed about them before you and your doctor decide on your treatment. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

Androgen deficiency in women and its treatment is controversial, and more research is needed. IVF in-vitro-fertilization and ICSI intracytoplasmic sperm injection are assisted reproductive treatment ART procedures in which fertilisation of an egg occurs outside the body.

Bacterial vaginosis BV is caused by an imbalance of the bacteria normally present in the vagina. Bladder prolapse is when the bladder bulges into the vagina. Breast implants are inserted under the skin to create larger breasts. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. If you still get symptoms after trying these treatments, you may be referred to a specialist.

Complimentary therapies and dietary supplements may help with PMS, but the evidence of their effectiveness is limited. But it may be because of changes in their hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of PMDD are similar to PMS but are much more intense and can have a much greater negative impact on your daily activities and quality of life. Read more about getting urgent help for mental health problems.