Most women of reproductive age will experience premenstrual symptoms at some point in their lives but for some, those symptoms can seriously disrupt their everyday life and work.

If you have been diagnosed with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), it is likely you are suffering at least ‘five symptoms, including one of four core psychological symptoms, from a list of 17 physical and psychological symptoms. These include depression, feeling hopeless or guilty, anxiety/tension, mood swings, irritability/persistent anger, decreased interest, poor concentration, fatigue, food craving or increased appetite, sleep disturbance, feeling out of control or overwhelmed, poor coordination, headache, aches, swelling/bloating/weight gain, cramps, and breast tenderness’.

Acupuncture may help reduce your symptoms by relieving tension and encouraging relaxation through the reduction of serotonin levels and the increased production of mood-enhancing endorphins. It can also help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Homeopathy can be effective in the treatment of symptoms such as water retention, bloating and breast tenderness. A British Medical Journal study in 2002 concluded that ‘practitioners of homeopathic medicine find that it is an effective approach for the treatment of PMS’ and that a recent pilot randomised controlled trial had reported ‘positive findings for homeopathic treatment in PMS’.