Q Can herbal medicine actually improve PMS? Doesn't it just get better once my period comes?
A Symptoms disappear temporarily once menstruation begins, but the same pattern repeats the following month. With consistent Korean medicine treatment that releases Liver-qi stagnation and nourishes the blood, the goal is to reduce both the intensity and duration of symptoms.
Detailed Answer
PMS symptoms subside when menstruation starts, but the underlying pattern remains, so they recur every month. Unlike simply waiting it out, treatment can stabilize the body's very response to the hormonal changes of the luteal phase. The effects of Korean medicine treatment typically appear as a noticeable reduction in symptoms over the course of 2-3 cycles (2-3 months).
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Prescriptions in the Gamisoyo-san (Augmented Free Wanderer decoction) and Hyeolbuchugeo-tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis from the Mansion of Blood decoction) families are used to release Liver-qi stagnation and aid the circulation of qi and blood, breaking the cycle of symptoms. Acupuncture (Taechung LR3, Hapgok LI4, Sameumgyo SP6) directly stimulates the flow of energy to release the stagnation that accumulates each cycle.
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