Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

Has anybody had any luck with quashing their PMS symptoms? I wonder if there are any special Korean remedies... My doctor put me on the pill (not helping-possibly making it worse). Also, I've tried taking evening primrose oil, which didn't help, either. I'm using progesterone cream, which seems to help (a bit), but it's 80,000 won! Let's see... My doctor also gave me a diuretic, which totally helps with bloating , and I'm on anti-depressants, which run over 100,000 won a month. It's so not fair that insurace won't cover this stuff.... I wonder if a sex change or something along those lines will help.

[peony]

are you suffering from bad cramps or all around discomfort?

for cramps, well first there's the obvious which are painkillers, midol, advil, tylenol
usually 3 advils when its most severe works for me
also, although you cant do this anywhere else but home, get a heating pad and place it on your lower stomach and back for killer cramps, it does help alot. ive also read in cosmo that sex can alleviate pms

as a last resort, you can ask around for a good 'han yak bang' - herbal medicine, i've heard it really does work if you tell them what your symptoms are and they are taken religiously as prescribed. if you go, make sure you tell them all the meds you're taking, what you're allergic to and also make sure you get a clear list of the things you have to avoid. depending on the ingredients, you might not be able to eat certain foods such as pork or mung bean and most definitely wont be allowed to drink.

[periwinkle]

God, DW, you're an idiot, but I will educate you (or attempt to). If you're really interested, why don't you do a search on google? My fiance did that and he is much more sympathetic to me. PMS symptoms can be similar to post-partum depression symptoms, as well as some menopausal symptoms. Actually, my behavioral syptoms are depression, and the behavioral symptoms are actually not the problem. Somehow I don't think you are honestly interested in my problem- more of an excuse to poke some fun at others (women), e.g. TROLLING which is a TOS violation, I believe. I've noticed some of your other posts (didn't you have one titled "Why doesn't anyone like me?)... You might want to take a look at yourself and ask yourself why you are responding to posts entitled "PMS help".

[tzechuk]

Peri, go and see Dr. Linton at the Yonsei International Clinic.. he will be able to help you. There must be something they can do for you. When I was young (like 15/16), I had extremely heavy, crampy and irregular period.. my GP at home gave me these gigantic tablets which I took one every 24 hours and it instantly reduced the pain and the amount of blood. I am sure they have something like that in Korea. Drink hot stuff - green tea - will ease the pain.

[HamuHamu]

Although I must admit my PMS isn't ever relly TOO bad (usually I am grumpy, whiny, edgey for a few days and wonder why, and then it hits me when "it" hits me and I say "ahhhh THAT'S why!!")

BUT, when I know it's coming I make sure to drink AT LEAST my 8 glasses of water a day and really cut down on ciggies (I'm a smoker) and not drink -- that makes it all worse, especialyl when the day comes.

I have NO problems about taking advil or tylenol every 4 hours, even a couple of days before my period starts, I find it eases everything. As well, a long hot bath or shower at night relly calms me down, relaxes me, and the hot water does wonders.

I also take, not the days before my period, but the first 2 days "Tylenol Menstrual" -- it's tylenol with pampranol in it, you can also get an Advil verion, or one called Pamprin, I think....it's it's own brand. I have never found it in Korea but stock up at home, get someone to send it to you, and it's worth it.

I don't have a heating pad, but instead fill a 2L pop bottle with the hottest water from the tap (boiled water will melt the bottle) and wrap it in a towel and snuggle up with it. It really aleviates cramping.

If you're just talking about PMS, like the grumpy "I-want-to-kill-everyone-and-my-students-are-number-one-on-the-list" feeling, generally I find that allowing myself to wallow in pity for the day or two really helps me.....if I try to push past it, I get nowhere.

[kelly]

Well as your on the pill, I think maybe you should try something like an IUD. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but from my own experience, no weight gain, no pms, no problems and you don't have to worry about taking that little pill everyday. I don't think I'll ever go back to the pill to get rid of PMS again. Also I could add, fenugreek really works as a herbal method for pms relief, once again, its not for everyone but it does work. Good Luck!!!

[tareze]

Hey.
This depends on what kind of PMS we're talking about here...I usually have a very mental thing with minimal bloating and physical symptoms but sometimes it's the other way around. Literally, I feel completely unstable and not myself for almost a week, just crazy and volatile.
I have found that Evening Primrose helped but only when taken on a regular basis and not as a spot treatment. What helps with the mental aspect especially is large quantities of B-complex vitamins. It's hard to find good vitamins here but I just order them. They help A LOT.
I would also find a good acupuncturist. This can really do wonders for physical symptoms. My acupuncturist just got rid of my crazy Korean chest cold much to my amazement... Acupuncture is good stuff. Heads up tho, when they move the needles in a problem spot on your body it will prolly hurt a little. Not terrible pain but a bit.
Also try relaxing in Child's pose. The yoga position where you sit on your heels and lay your chest over your legs, head to the floor.
You can also lay down in reclined Cobbler's pose. For this, sit on the ground, place your feet soles together and lay down. This really opens up the pelvic area.
Good luck! It's frustrating trying to find something that works for you I know!

[pollyplummer]

I'm sorry you're having such a crappy time. I get like this from time to time. The most important thing for me is keeping track of my cycle. Just being aware that what I'm experiencing is in fact PMS and not madness is really helpful. I use an online calendar to track my period. You can make your own here: http://www.cyclespage.com/ It tells you what days you are fertile and what days you should be having PMS and it can predict your next period for you, provided that you are fairly regular. Since you're on the pill, you may already be well aware of what's happening in your cycle, but this calendar helps, too. I'm not on the pill, so I have no regulation of my hormones at all, and sometimes I feel like a wild cat out of control during that time of the month. I find that it's best to avoid large quantities of alcohol and caffeine, as either may sharpen the pain or the mood swings. I also find that it's best to spare the world of my presence from time to time ;o) ... as in, stay at home. If you have cramps that prevent you from walking without pain, call in sick. Don't feel bad about it. If you feel moody and grumpy, stay home alone and CRY. Light candles, drink tea, call a friend, anything... just don't put yourself in situations that will emotionally tax you further. It's best for all parties concerned. It's good to have a way to vent or to express, something athletic or artistic or creative. I write in my blog, and it helps me to gather my thoughts. Honestly, I find that the best thing for me is to sit down and have a good cry until I feel all tired out. Then, put on some music, whatever strikes your fancy. Eat chocolate. Eat whatever your body wants. Sometimes your body really knows what it needs.

[dogbert]

[pollyplummer]

I defnitely need to be declawed, but I don't trust Koreans to do it.

[sadsac]

My wife has had a lot of success with accupuncture to help alleviate her symptons. Definitely easier to live with now.

[astroboyfan]

100,000 seems like an aweful price for anti-depressants. They are widely distributed, and I would assume they would be cheaper in Korea (than Canada). Just seems like a lot.

[ajuma]

Don't have PMS often, but I can sympathize! Be sure you get enough sun! Sounds strange in theses days of "pile on the sunscreen", but I find my PMS is MUCH worse when the days "before" are cloudy.

Also, try some changes in your diet. Milk might cause some problems as will caffine (beware of chocolate!). Alchohol may be good or bad...depending on you! A glass of wine or beer (ONE!) might help.