Over-the-counter medications, including anti-inflammatory drugs, can provide pain relief. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen often provides relief for painful cramps.
Prescription Medications
Some women find that taking birth control pills alleviates symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Birth control pills can relieve discomfort by decreasing the menstrual flow. In decreasing the menstrual flow, birth control pills can also minimize painful cramping. Although birth control pills can relieve some physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, birth control pills are not recognized as improving symptoms related to mood. In addition, the effects of birth control pills can vary widely and actually worsen symptoms in some individuals.
Progesterone supplements have been tried as an experimental treatment. It was proposed that they could safely balance hormone levels in order to relieve premenstrual syndrome. However, this treatment has been proven largely ineffectual and has the potential to worsen symptoms.
Additional hormone treatments are available as prescribed by a physician.
Antidepressant and antianxiety drugs may help some women by targeting specific mood symptoms.