Breast tenderness

Women who experience recurrent menstrual related breast tenderness should first consider different fitting bras during the premenstrual phase. It is also advisable to avoid bras with a central seam that can further irritate the nipple.

Evening primrose oil.
The effectiveness of evening primrose oil (EPO) in reducing PMS-related breast tenderness remains uncertain, although women often report benefits.

Magnesium.
Magnesium levels are lower than desirable in some women with PMS, although further research is needed. Magnesium can be low in some diets.

Magnets
Treatment with magnets has reduced pain in a recent randomised prospective study. Further studies are planned to confirm the benefits for PMS.

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Migraine

Calcium (1000 mg/day) and vitamin D (10 mcg) taken together may treat premenstrual pain and migraine. There may be benefit from magnesium when taken with vitamin B6.
PMS sufferers tested light therapy with benefit in reducing the severity of premenstrual migraine.
NAPS provides latest information on all therapies, so keep in touch.

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Bloating

Many women are familiar with the sensation of bloatedness.  Generally there is a puffy feeling which can be tender of painful. This sensation is invariably water retention, the term used to describe the retention of fluid in the body.

• This premenstrual water retention can often be attributed to the imbalance in the levels of oestrogen and progesterone that occurs at that time of the month
• Too much salt causing your body to retain water to dilute the excess sodium
• Some common medicines, including the contraceptive pill
• Lack of exercise
• Periods of immobility such as long flights or standing for long periods
• Some very low calorie diets, especially ones with little protein

To treat the bloating -

• A balanced diet with regular exercise
• Reduce salt intake and increase water consumption
• Take a gentle natural diuretic