PMS Help!

I hear you on the Yaz but it may be worth it. You may be spending just as much money, if not more, on things like St. Johns Wort or Arbonne products and you won't even be sure they are working so it could be a waste of money. I used to work at a Natural Foods store and I am usually all for alternative medicine but I'm not sure its worth the trial and error if you're looking to conserve money. You might ask your doctor about Yasmin which is a bit higher dose, not by much, than the Yaz. Yasmin has a generic which on my insurance plan is only $10. Yaz does not yet have a generic alternative available.

Sorry to hear you ar having these troubles. Have you considered seeing an accupuncturist? Aside from the needle work, accupuncturists will also prescribe herbs to help the body achieve hormone balance. Typically, one would go once a week for about a month or so & then taper off to every other/ every three weeks, and eventually just going in for "tune ups". The visits are around $65 and the herbs are cheaper than drugs. I can reccomend a couple of accupuncturists I have worked with, who specialize in women's health.

Here was the options I was going for when I wanted to start a medication to help control my PMS a natural method that I hear is good and acts as an antidepressant not birthcontrol The Happy Camper sold at natural food stores and YAZ I was planning on seeing my OB right at the same time I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant.So I can't tell you how well it works.But good luck and let us know if you choose YAZ

Hi R.,
You should try Tahitian Noni Juice. It's all natural and imported from the French Polynesian. It's a Natural juice made from only Puree Noni Fruit and Grape Juice. My daughter use to have very bad cramps and would ball up in fetal position with pain while on her PMS. She was very moody. All she wanted to do was sleep. Drinking this juice has been a miracle for her and us. It's also listed in the (PDR) Physicians Desk Reference. Doctor's can recommend it if they want, but they don't get paid for it unless they are an independent rep. I love the juice, I was a sceptic at first but after it got rid of my arthritis and my husbands stomach pains from his diverticulitis disease, I became a believer! A good friend of mine is a independent rep and her site is www.tni.com/shields526. You can also read tesimonials about it by going to a yahoo or google search engine and typing in Noni Health Info. Once you do that, click the link that says Noni Health Info. Don't type it in the web browser because it brings up another site. Read up on it. This is truely a miracle from GOD. NOTE: In the French Polynesian Island, the word NONI means "Gift From God". Hope I was some help. God Bless! Update me once you read up on it or if you have any other questions.

St John's Wort!!! comes with no side affects and really helps!

I had some of the same symtoms as you, plus trouble getting pregnant. I did my research and discovered that women experience these things because we are low on progesterone and high in estrogen. About three years ago, I started using Arbonne's hormone balancing cream, which is a natural progesterone. The difference was unbelieveable! Within a month I saw a big difference and within three months ALL of my PMS symtoms were gone!!! Plus, when we tried to get pregnant with our second son, it took only two months instead of two years! It really is a life, marriage and family saver! Hope this helps.

Nichole

Has your doctor tested you for other things that could be causing the problems? My mother dealt with PMS issues for years and figured it was just normal. She eventually started having other issues as well and it turned out that she had major fibriod problems. They decided to do a hysterectimy (she was past child baring years) and they said that her fibroid was the size of a small cantalop. Thyroid issues can also cause problems with PMS since it can throw off your hormone levels. The things that your doctor is recommending might help treat these issues but I always find it easier to deal with a problem when I know what the problem is. Find the disease and it is easier to treat the symptoms. Unfortuneately these days, not enough doctors do this. They just try to cover up the problem and don't give you enough info. So be agressive with your doctor and tell them that you want answers and not just a fix.

I have the same problem. My husband and kids want to lock me in a cage for two weeks! It really does take a toll on you. Anways sorry no suggestions just thought I would say I feel your pain. Im actually going to see my OB for a check up on friday so Ill let you know if I find any different answers!

Hi R.,

Have you heard of Arbonne? It's an awesome company that deals in all natural products, and they carry a natural hormone balancing cream that works on all these symptons and does wonders!!! It's $33 retail, has premetered pumps that you use 3 weeks, off a week, and helps to add balance back into your life! One bottle lasts a couple months or so, depending on if you need to use it 1 or 2 times a day. I only use mine 1 time, at night, and that works find for me. I have a client who was loosing hair, had headaches, fatigue, moodiness, etc. and she uses it once in the morning and once at night and that works really well for her. It usually takes about 30-90 days to get your body balanced out and turn things around. It's an individual thing.

I went through menopause about 4 years ago, am not on any hormone replacement from my doc and only use the PhytoProlief from Arbonne and I love it. I call it a "marriage saver"...haha! Many studies have been done on synthetic vs natural remedies and they have shown that going on prescribed stuff from the doc does cause other health concerns down the road and I'm not into that at all. I much prefer the natural method. They have 2 kinds, Prolief, which anybody can use (even pregnant women), and PhytoProlief which is for women nearing, going through or, like me, have already gone through menopause. They have a 45 day money back guarantee so you have nothing to lose! You can even get 35% discounts if you choose to open an annual wholesale membership. If interested I could send you some info on the subject. Just let me know.

You can email me at ____@____.com can also check out my website at www.vickimartinez.myarbonne.com. Either way, I hope you find what helps you soon!

V.

Hi R.,
Ah, the PMS monster! Yes, a lot of people deal with this...me included and it STINKS! I've researched and tried a lot of different things thru the years, so if you want to, feel free to PM me and we can talk more (I don't want to air TOO much laundry on this site! LOL)
Keep up the exercising and the eating right...they can make a difference...but some other things I'll mention...
First, BC pills can make sometimes make it better, sometimes make it worse! (They are a known cause of low libido and depression for a lot of people) Yaz (and it's cousin Yasmin) is now being marketed toward the mood changes monthly, but honestly made me crazier/angry to the point I had to stop it mid-cycle. As your OB if they can give you samples for 3 months to try it out. That way you'll know if it works for you or not. If it does, then it's worth the $!
Natural supplements can include a good multivitamin along with a B50 supplement daily. Calcium and magnesium may help too (you can get them as a combined pill). St John's wort (KIRA brand) is one of my favorites, but can have issues of it's own. You'd likely have to take it daily all month rather than just when it's needed because it does take a while to kick in. BUT be aware that it can affect your BC pills and may make them less effective (resulting in a pregnancy or mid-cycle spotting or irregularity). It can also interact with some other meds.
There was something I found, a couple years ago, called Estroven PMS (not the regular Estroven for menopausal symptoms)but I haven't found it since. I really liked it.
Maybe it was placebo effect...but if it works, who cares! LOL
Ok, I'm writing a novel here...but I hope this helps a bit.
For me, so far, the only fix has been to be pregnant in my second and third trimester! LOL Not something I want to do indefinately! LOL