Going to the source, what can we find out about PMS? 80% of menstruating women suffer from PMS, that is a lot of suffering women! Women can suffer from physical, emotional and psychological symptoms when they have PMS. The symptoms can be any degree from mild to severe. They can be so severe in fact that a woman can find herself unable to function.

She may have different symptoms each month, but once she gets PMS, she will have it every month until she reaches menopause. The onset of PMS can be puberty, or it may appear after a pregnancy, hormonal surgery such as tubal ligation or hysterectomy, or she may even get it just prior to menopause.

The symptoms can be physical, emotional or psychological and she may have one or several symptoms each month. The symptoms occur during the two-week period just prior to menses.

She may experience backaches, headaches, joint and muscle pain, bloating, cramping, irritability, constipation or diahhrea, decrease in sex drive, breast tenderness or breast swelling, crying spells, cravings for sugary foods, forgetfulness, acne, and anxiety or depression among 150+ symptoms.

Women say that men usually do not understand what they are going through when they have PMS and would love to have more support from their mates or partners.

Women would love to find relief from their symptoms that do not involve getting other side effects that may be just as bad.

Women have tried everything from heating pads to bubble baths, getting sleep, exercising, eating balanced diets, reducing salt or caffeine or alcohol, increasing water consumption, and staying healthy but not every remedy works for every woman. Not every woman has the same PMS symptoms. The treatment must be tailored for each specific woman and each month she may have different symptoms so the treatment has to be flexible.

Women say that PMS is a real condition that demands real solutions and that medical personnel need to be respectful of the pain and discomfort they are in. In the past women suffering from PMS were given a difficult time because they were treated as if they were imagining the symptoms, as if someone would want to have symptoms of PMS! There is much to say about using other women as a support tool in the battle for conquering PMS symptoms. Support groups can help women to felt that they are not alone after all and that there are others who understand what they are going through.

A support group for women with PMS includes a supportive family especially spouse or partner, an understanding doctor and medical staff and a community support group that allows for open communication.