Health Tips and Vaccine Safety with Lauren Feder, M.D.

Lauren Feder, M.D. is a physician, homeopath, lecturer, and writer. Her website, www.drfeder.com is a content rich homeopathic resource. DrFeder.com includes homeopathic and natural parenting information, remedies, books and videos. She is in private practice in Beverly Hills, California where she specializes in homeopathic medicine for children and adults. Lauren is the mother of two boys.

Disclaimer: The medical opinions stated here are for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.

Question:

Is there a homeopathic remedy for PMS and/or menstrual cramps?

Answer:

Premenstrual syndrome is an all-encompassing term that is used to define many symptoms associated with the week or 10 days just before a woman's period. The symptoms, which may include irritability, tearfulness, depression, anxiety, food cravings, headaches, bloating, cramps, skin breakouts, breast tenderness and more, are so commonplace that women as well as men simply refer to them as PMS. At least 30 percent of women suffer from PMS and probably every woman at some time in her menstrual history has experienced it in varying degrees.

Although PMS can strike at slightly different times depending on the woman, it is most often experienced in the second half of the menstrual cycle, known as the luteal phase, which leads up to the onset of menstruation. PMS can be attributed to such problems as imbalance of hormone levels, uterine fibroids, endometriosis or even stress.

Homeopathic remedies can treat PMS. For a women who consistently suffers from PMS or menstrual cramps a visit to the gynecologist is worthwhile to rule out any serious conditions. In addition, a well-prescribed constitutional remedy from a professional homeopath can help end her suffering.

Individualistic Approaches
There are many homeopathic remedies that treat PMS, and it is always best to try to match the individual woman's symptoms and emotional state with that of the remedy. In other words, if five women come to my office with complaints of PMS, each may well be prescribed a different remedy.

Following are the remedies I prescribe for women who complain of PMS. They are available for purchase.

Belladonna (Deadly Nighshade) is useful for intense cramps that come on suddenly. These throbbing pains are relieved when a woman straightens her body. Belladonna is indicated for a woman whose pains worsen when she bends over or applies pressure to her abdomen.

In contrast, Colocynthis (Bitter Cucumber) works better for women whose cramps are relieved by applying pressure or warmth or doubling over. Usually a woman with these symptoms also suffers from premenstrual anger and irritability.

Magnesia phosporica (Magnesium Phosphate) also is useful when the cramps improve with warmth and gentle pressure. However, it is most successful for women who do not suffer premenstrual irritability.

Pulsatilla (Windflower) improves a wide variety of PMS symptoms, and is often chosen for the woman who feels weepy and depressed and wants to be comforted. It also is prescribed when the woman tends to feel warm, feels better in the open air, and is not thirsty.

Lachesis (Bushmaster Snake please note that this particular remedy is not vegan) is one of the remedies that I prescribe when a woman states that her PMS symptoms are relieved once her period begins. I also prescribe lachesis when she reports that she has pain on her left side and/or palpitations, experiences jealousy and has a sensitivity to tight clothing around her abdomen.

Homeopathic remedies come in different strengths or potencies. Those that range from a low of 6X (or 6C) up to 30X are appropriate for use at home. Begin with the lower potency when given the choice, and follow the directions on the bottle. Homeopathic medicine is safe and effective without the side effects of standard medicine.

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