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Treatment of PMS

What can you do yourself?

Lifestyle measures and dietary supplements have a safe and documented effect in the treatment of PMS and should be tried first:

1) Exercise. Aerobic exercise has been shown to help, perhaps also Yoga. It is not clear how much you should exercise, but we recommend at least 3 times per week.

2) Vitamin D and Calcium. Feel free to use a daily supplement together with omega-3. Use a higher dose if you have been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency.

4) Acupuncture

5) Other treatment that may have an effect:

  • Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract (monk pepper). The dose is 20-40 mg/day.

  • Omega 3

  • Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine 25-100 mg/day

  • Magnesium 200-250 mg/day in the premenstrual phase (2)

  • St. John's wort: 500-1200 mg/day is the dose for mild depression. Do not combine with SSRI antidepressants

  • Evening primrose oil 1-2 g/day

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Which treatment may be relevant from the doctor or gynaecologist?

1) Birth control pills. It seems that birth control pills with drospirenone (Yasmin, Yaz, Yasminelle) work best against PMS. Should be used without a hormone-free interval.

3) Cognitive therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist.

2) Antidepressant drugs.

3) GNRH analogues. This is only used in severe cases and will put you into a reversible menopause.

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