What's New
Our office is taking on a new look. We are excited to offer a more welcoming and comfortable setting for our patients. Our exam suites have been redecorated and have taken on a spa like feel. We hope that our patients can be more relaxed and feel at home. Check out the pictures of our newly decorated suites.
Additional Resources
Contact Us
1505 Eastland Drive, Suite 500,Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 662-2273
Fax: (309) 662-2014
What is PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the name for the physical and emotional symptoms that many girls and women get right before their periods each month. If you have PMS, you may experience symptoms such as:
- acne
- bloating
- fatigue
- backaches
- sore breasts
- headaches
- constipation
- diarrhea
- food cravings
- depression or feeling blue
- irritability
- difficulty concentrating
- difficulty handling stress
PMS is usually at its worst during the week or two before a girl's period starts, and it usually disappears when her period begins. Health care professionals are unsure why some girls experience PMS and others do not. It is possible that those who develop PMS are simply more sensitive to the changes in hormone levels.
Here are some suggestions to help relieve those PMS symptoms:
- Eating a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Cut back on processed foods like chips and crackers
- Reduce your salt intake (salt can make you retain water and become more bloated)
- Drink more water
- Decrease caffeine intake (it can make you irritable)
- Try certain vitamins: B-complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E are thought to be helpful
- Daily exercise
- Decrease the amount of stress in your life
When you are choosing medicine to help with your symptoms, over-the-counter pain medicines like Ibuprofen can relieve achy heads and backs. But for really serious PMS pain, see your provider. He or she might be able to prescribe a different medicine to help with many of your PMS symptoms. Sometimes, simply exercise may make you feel better; possibly because it releases endorphins which are natural chemicals in the body that make you feel better emotionally and physically. Soaking in a warm bath or putting a warm compress on your stomach may also decrease the cramping that you may experience. If you are having severe cramps that are keeping you home sick from school or from doing activities with your friends, call your provider.