PMS often worsens at times of hormonal instability, such as
puberty, childbirth, or the period after a miscarriage or an
abortion.
Symptoms of PMS vary widely from woman to woman and can range
from mild to severe.
PMS can appear at any time between puberty and menopause.
Not all women experience PMS, but most women will experience
some of the symptoms associated with PMS at some point in their
lives.
Some PMS symptoms have been linked to deficiencies in calcium
and vitamins A, E and B.
Women with a history of depression or postpartum
depression have a higher incidence of PMS.
Lack of physical activity increases the risk of PMS.
In addition to over-the-counter medications, a variety of
prescription drugs can be helpful in relieving or reducing PMS
symptoms. These include birth control pills, diuretics ("water
pills") and antidepressants (for severe PMS or PMDD).
Many "herbal" or "natural" products are advertised as helpful
for relieving PMS symptoms. They may contain black cohosh, ginger,
red raspberry leaf, dandelion tea, chaste tree berry and evening
primrose oil. However, these claims haven't been proven, and the
Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate these products for
safety or effectiveness.
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