Are you experiencing times where you are crying a lot more for no reason, or even worse, have you become a real witch at home or work?  Are there times when you can't stand to be around yourself?Are you also experiencing bloating, water retention, mood swings and anxiety?  And not for just a couple of days, now it's the whole second half of the month?  Chances are you have PMS (premenstrual syndrome), a condition where it seems as though your sad and angry emotions run out of control.  If you have ever been told or suspect that you have PMS, you are not alone.  The current estimates are that nearly 40 percent of women experience PMS.

PMS is a hormonal disorder characterized by the monthly recurrence of certain physical and/or psychological symptoms during the two weeks before menstruation, and the subsiding of those symptoms when flow begins or slightly afterwards.  Many women start experiencing PMS in their teens, but for most, PMS begins in their mid-thirties and becomes increasingly severe as the years pass.  The most frequently reported symptoms of PMS include:

  • Bloating
  • Water retention
  • Weight gain
  • Breast tenderness
  • Headaches, including migraines
  • Cramps
  • Heavy periods
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability 
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia 
  • Crying for no reason
  • Excessive cravings for salty or sweet foods
  • Depression
  • Lack of libido
  • Decreased hearing
  • Eye pain
  • Dizziness
  • Distractibility
  • Decreased productivity
  • Facial Swelling
  • Fear of going out alone
  • Fear of losing control
  • Finger Swelling
  • Aches & pains
  • Forgetfulness
  • Food sensitivity
  • Herpetic outbreak
  • Indecision
  • Sensitivity to light and noise
  • Inefficiency
  • Hives or rashes
  • Alcohol sensitivity
  • Joint pain
  • Leg cramps
  • Leg swelling
  • Nausea
  • Palpitations
  • Panic attacks
  • Ringing in ears
  • Runny nose
  • Seizures
  • Sore throat
  • Spots in front of eyes
  • Sinusitis
  • Tremors
  • Visual changes
  • Vomiting
  • Suspiciousness
  • Tingling in hands and feet
  • Bleeding gums
  • Constipation
  • Bruising
  • Clumsiness
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Acne
  • Withdrawn behavior
  • Asthmatic attacks
  • Backache
  • Bladder irritation
  • Hot flashes

Women with severe PMS, irritability and mood swings can become outbursts of anger and rage.  With such a long list of symptoms, PMS is often misdiagnosed as a psychological problem and patients are prescribed unwarranted medications with high risk-taking side effects.

The Treatment

Recognizing that your problems are shared by millions of other women is comforting, though it does not solve the problem.  PMS can be treated with better than 90% success rate.  At The Quality of Life Institute we recognize that PMS is a multifactorial problem that needs to be handled on many physical levels as well as the emotional level. 

The most effective approach to treating PMS utilizes a multimodal approach: Lifestyle, nutrition based therapy, pharmaceutical grade nutriceutical supplements, Bio-iedentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, prescription medications(if indicated)and psychological counseling when indicated.  As with any condition utilizing hormone replacement therapy, there is not a "one size fits all" prescription.  After a patient is assessed with an exam and blood tests, an individualized plan will be specifically customized for your PMS needs.  Depending on the type of coverage you carry, insurance covers most of the cost of office visits, lab work and some medication. 

The Program

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a difficult condition to identify, partly because it has such a wide array of signs and symptoms. For some women, the physical pain and emotional stress are severe enough to affect their daily routines and activities. However, a small proportion of women with premenstrual syndrome have disabling symptoms every month. This form of PMS has its own psychiatric designation — premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome with symptoms including severe depression, feelings of hopelessness, anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, irritability and tension.  This program optimizes and balances female hormones, naturally, for the reversal of the unpleasant, painful and disruptive symptoms of PMS by utilizing a functional medicine approach and Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy.

The program includes the following:

  • Three 1 Hour Visits with Physician
  • One 1 Hour Visit with Nutritional Coach
  • Therapeutic Skin Analysis with Medical Aesthetician
  • Pharmaceutical Grade Nutriceutical Supplements*
  • PMS Specific Extensive Hormone Lab Testing*
  • Adrenocortex Stress Profile*
  • Toxicity Screening
  • Detoxification Profile*
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (as indicated)*
  • Diet and Lifestyle Assessment & Education
  • Female Specific Hormone Balancing
  • Optimal Nutrition Evaluation (Saliva or Urine)*
  • Body Mass Index and Profile
  • Referral into Maintenance Program**

Fee for twelve week program:  $899 

*Required items excluded in program fee.


** To maintain hormone replacement therapy beyond the twelve week period, the patient is put on four month recall visits.  The visit is 30 minutes with a hormone assessment & evaluation along with prescriptions for HRT for the next four months.  Cost per visit, $150.

 

If you suspect you suffer from PMS, call and make an appointment.  There is no reason to be miserable any longer, we can help you.