PMS Prevention Begins In Puberty

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Madison, Wis., Sept. 20, 1996 -- Young girls and teenagers who understand the importance of taking care of their bodies will be less likely to experience premenstrual syndrome ((PMS) later on, according to an article published in the September/October issue of the Women's Health Access newsletter.

"We know a lot about the critical role our lifestyle plays in managing PMS," says Marla Ahlgrimm, R.PH., Founder and President of Women's Health America Group and publisher of the newsletter. "We also know that severe PMS symptoms can be prevented if young women incorporate good lifestyle habits early on in their development. There's a real opportunity for mothers to help their daughters avoid premenstrual bloating, breast tenderness, food cravings and other symptoms with simple and straightforward education about diet, exercise, and vitamins."

Women who suffer from PMS themselves may fear that their daughters will have the same experiences, says Stephanie Bender, Director of Full Circle Women's Health in Boulder, Colo. She offers these recommendations to women who want to help their daughters understand PMS and avoid many of its symptoms:

Be a positive role model, and explain your behavior. "Tell your daughters, "The reason I exercise is to take good care of my body. It helps me with my PMS." Let your daughters see you eating well and taking vitamins, and let them know that these practices help keep your body in balance," she advises.
Be honest with your concern. Women whose mothers had PMS and who have struggled with the disorder themselves can make their daughters aware of the risk without scaring them. "You can say, "This is part of my concern for you. PMS doesn't happen to all women, but it does happen to some women." She also recommends letting your daughters know that help is available for PMS.
Take advantage of the opportunity to dispel myths. "Treat PMS as the physiological happening that it is, she counsels. "We want our daughters to understand that PMS is not imaginary, or an excuse to avoid responsibility."
Remember that our daughters will have more choices. "Our daughters are in a society that is more aware of women's health issues," says Ms. Bender. Encourage them to take advantage of the information available and to learn about their bodies.
Finally, don't expect your daughters to imitate you just yet. "Just because you're taking care of yourself doesn't mean your adolescent daughter is going to follow along. That's probably not realistic, Ms. Bender says. "We can plant seeds that our daughters can use later on. Even if the girls don't act on it immediately, they still have the information and you as their role model.

For more information, contact the toll-free 24-hour Women's Health America hot line at 800-222-4767 Or write to: Women's Health America, P.O. Box 259641, Madison, WI 53725. To reach us at our web site, the address is: http://www.womenshealth.com

CONTACT: Carol Breyer of Woman's Health America Group 608-833-9102

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