Dr. Donnica's Top Ten Tips For PMS Management

1. Discuss your situation with your physician.  Work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.  Follow it!  Questions you should ask your doctor include:
• Should I be taking any dietary supplements?
• Are there any other illnesses which could be causing my symptoms?
• Should I also be evaluated for other conditions such as low blood sugar, low-acting thyroid or depression?
• Could this be related to any medications I might be taking (including birth control pills)?
• Do I have PMS or PMDD?
• Could my symptoms be related to perimenopause?
• Am I a candidate for prescription drug therapy for this condition?
• What medicines could I be taking to combat PMS?
2. If you smoke, quit.
3. Practice stress management:  many of the symptoms of PMS are unpredictable and emotionally draining.  This can be very stressful and can exacerbate your condition.
4. Regular exercise may reduce your risk of PMS altogether; exercising once you have symptoms (even though you may not feel like it) will reduce the symptoms you experience for that cycle.
5. Take a daily, non-prescription multi-vitamin; discuss any other supplement needs with your physician.
6. Be sure to get an adequate daily intake of calcium (1,200 mg/day)
7. Eat a well balanced diet; don't skip meals.
8. Reduce intake of caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, and salt.
9. Enlist the support and understanding of friends and loved ones.
10. Try to get regular, sufficient sleep.

For more information about depression or other mental health issues, click here.

Created: 10/8/2003  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.