Chinese Medicine

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Mood swings, irritability, bloating, sore breasts or tiredness in the one to two weeks before your period, easing once it starts. Dr. Pan checks the cause first, then makes a plan. Acupuncture and herbs are a long-established way to ease PMS.

Book a first visit(484) 744-0857(267) 348-4139

See what a first visit involves

For two cycles before you come, it helps to keep a short daily diary: how you feel each day, and the day your period starts. Please bring a list of the medicines, supplements and herbs you take now, and tell us if you are trying to get pregnant.

First, check the cause

PMS is a group of symptoms that come in the one to two weeks before a period and go away within a few days after it starts. The pattern is what matters, so a diary over two cycles helps.

A severe form, called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), brings deep sadness, anxiety or anger that gets in the way of work or family. It can be treated.

How it is treated

Regular exercise, enough sleep, and less caffeine, alcohol and salt, especially in the two weeks before your period.
Calcium, from food or a supplement, also eases symptoms.
For severe PMS or PMDD, an antidepressant called an SSRI, or certain birth control pills. These work well. Counseling (cognitive behavioral therapy) helps too.
Acupuncture: very thin needles. A long-established treatment for PMS in Chinese medicine, it eases irritability, bloating, breast tenderness and cramps.
Chinese herbs, prescribed for your pattern, to calm mood swings and ease breast tenderness and bloating. They are checked against the medicines you already take.

How many visits

Usually once a week at first, over two or three cycles. Then you and Dr. Pan look at your diary together to see how much better you are: milder symptoms, fewer hard days.

Common questions

How do I know it is PMS?

Keep a daily diary for two cycles. With PMS, symptoms come before your period and ease within a few days after it starts. Symptoms all month point to another cause, such as depression or a thyroid problem.

Do I need blood tests?

Only if needed. Dr. Pan checks your thyroid or blood count if symptoms are there all month, or if something else seems likely.

I take an antidepressant. Can I have acupuncture and herbs too?

Yes — they work well together. Keep taking your medicine as prescribed; never stop it on your own. Any change to your medicine happens only after your symptoms have stayed well controlled, step by step, with Dr. Pan.