Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS is the name given to a group of physical and emotional symptoms that can be experienced by women in the second half of their menstrual cycle before their period starts. Symptoms reduce and then disappear when the period starts.
PMS can affect anyone who has periods at any time and the symptoms can vary between women and from month to month.
What are the symptoms of PMS?
Physical symptoms can include:
- Bloating
- Cramping
- Tender breasts
- Greasy hair and spotty skin
- Headaches
- Nausea and changes in appetite
- Tiredness
Emotional symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger and irritability
- Mood swings
According to NHS UK (18 June 2024, [Online]): “Complementary therapies…may help with PMS, but there’s not much evidence that they work”. Acupuncture and reflexology are the therapies listed.
Reflexology and Premenstrual Syndrome Research
The article I have linked below is a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies which examined the impact of reflexology on women living with premenstrual syndrome, published during 1993-2018. This review concluded that “In general, results of the present study indicated that the reflexology could relieve PMS symptoms…. Furthermore, an increase in the length of reflexology time in each session increased its efficiency.”
For further details, please follow the link below:
Effects of reflexology on premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Hasanpour Marzieh; Mohammadi Mohammad Mehdi; Shareinia Habib
Biopsychosoc Med 2019 13 25
Reference for my blog:
NHS UK (18 June 2024) Premenstrual Syndrome. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-menstrual-syndrome/ (Accessed 01 October 2024).