Herbal Medicine Kent

Acupuncture and Pre-menstrual Tension

What is PMT?

Pre-menstrual tension (PMT) is also called pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and is a term used to describe the broad range of symptoms that many women develop during the second half of the cycle.

The symptoms include:

• Breast tenderness
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Headache, backache
• Feeling unable to cope
• Tiredness
• Bloating of the abdomen, constipation or diarrhoea
• Food cravings
• Difficulty concentrating and/or remembering
• Irritability, mood swings, or crying spells, outbursts of anger

What causes PMT?

PMS is linked to the changing hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) during the menstrual cycle. Oestrogen and progesterone may cause temporary fluid retention, which seems to explain some PMS symptoms. Although stress and emotional issues do not cause PMT, they may make it worse.

Conventional treatment

Often a diuretic is prescribed for fluid retention (which promotes sodium and water excretion) and reducing sodium intake. Changing the diet (e.g., increasing protein, decreasing sugars) and supplementing with vitamin B complex may help. Antidepressants are often prescribed, and used in the management of psychological and physical PMS symptoms.

Chinese Medicine treatment

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views PMS as stagnant Liver energy. The fee flow of energy is compromised which manifests as symptoms of PMS. Acupuncture can immensely relieve the symptoms of PMS. By aiding the smooth flow of qi throughout the menstrual cycle, many patients can see a vast reduction in all of their premenstrual symptoms. Improvements are usually seen between 1-3 months after the commencement of treatment. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are used in the treatment of PMT and like most women's health problems treatment is most effective when combined.