PMS medications

If you suffer from PMS, actually the proper term is PMDD: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, taking care of yourself is very important for both yourself and your loved ones. You sometimes can't help your reactions and emotions no matter how much effort you muster. Afterwards you deal with the aftermath. No one is happy with the circumstances, especially you.

It's important to look into your various options. Consider the following:
1) natural products can be quite helpful. Evening primrose and vitamin B6 can be excellent. There are some preparations that incorporate several supplements at once and can be very helpful.
2) SSRI antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft can be very good. They can even be taken just the week prior to your menstrual cycle and discontinued upon start of flow with good results. Daily use can be good but not necessary if the mood issues are just menstrually related, If medications are necessary throughout the entire month, they can be increased for the week prior to menses if the regular dose is not enough to control premenstrual symptoms. The antidepressant option may not be good if there is a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, it can make things worse.
3) Oral contraceptives are sometimes helpful. The typical 1/35 pills, those which are the same color for 21 days with 7 days of placebo, carry a 10% risk of causing depression, however and so may complicate things, so be aware of these. The triphasic pills change color and hormone content every seven days and seem much better and a lower risk.
4) If there is no potential for substance abuse, the use of anxiety meds such as Xanx, Ativan or Valium can be helpful. There are addictive if used consistantly (daily) for three months or more, but used for one week out of the month on an ongoing fashion shouldn't be a problem. This option is not good if there is a personal or family history of substance abuse, you don't want to create a larger problem.