Home Symptoms Premenstrual syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome — what to take?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) includes physical and emotional symptoms that appear 1-2 weeks before menstruation: irritability, breast tenderness, bloating, headache, emotional lability.

Also known as: PMS premenstrual symptoms premenstrual tension
6 recommended OTC drugs
8,327 pharmacies available

In short: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) involves physical and emotional symptoms that appear cyclically one to two weeks before menstruation — irritability, breast tenderness, bloating, headache, mood swings — and ease once it begins. For the discomfort, commonly used OTC options include Vitex agnus-castus, magnesium, vitamin B6, calcium, evening primrose oil, or ibuprofen for pain. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the prices of these products across Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet, with figures updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice; consult a doctor if symptoms become severe enough to disrupt your daily life.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for premenstrual syndrome

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Severe symptoms that impair functioning
  • Suicidal thoughts (severe PMDD)
  • Associated major depression
  • Heavy bleeding outside the cycle
  • Severe progressive pain (suspected endometriosis)

Typical picture

Physical symptoms: bloating, water retention, breast tenderness, headache, fatigue, food cravings. Psycho-emotional symptoms: irritability, anxiety, sadness, difficulty concentrating, lability. PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is the severe form, affecting 3-8%.

OTC treatment and supplements

Vitex agnus-castus (Chasteberry) 20-40 mg/day — the herb with the strongest evidence. Effect after 2-3 cycles.

Magnesium 200-400 mg/day — reduces bloating, headache, irritability.

Vitamin B6 50-100 mg/day — helps with psychological symptoms.

Calcium 1000-1200 mg/day — evidence for relieving PMS.

Evening primrose oil 500-1000 mg/day — for breast tenderness.

NSAIDs — ibuprofen, naproxen for the associated pain and inflammation.

Lifestyle

  • Regular aerobic exercise — reduces symptoms significantly.
  • Diet: limit salt, coffee, alcohol, sugar.
  • Adequate sleep.
  • Stress reduction — meditation, yoga.
  • Symptom diary for 2-3 months to identify the pattern.

Rx treatment

SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine) — effective in PMDD, can be taken continuously or only during the luteal phase. Combined oral contraceptives — relieve PMS in many women.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for premenstrual syndrome

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicines for premenstrual syndrome

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for premenstrual syndrome

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For premenstrual syndrome most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for premenstrual syndrome runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Dureri menstruale

Durerile menstruale (dismenoree) afectează 50-80% dintre femei în vârstă reproductivă. Primare (fără cauză patologică) sau secundare (endometrioză, fibrom, adenomioză).

 Symptom

Crampe

Crampele musculare sunt contracții involuntare, dureroase. Cele mai comune — crampele nocturne de gambă. Cauze: deshidratare, dezechilibre electrolitice, efort, medicamente, circulație, sarcină.

 Symptom

Stres

Stresul e răspunsul fiziologic la solicitări. Cronic — afectează imunitatea, cardiovascular, somn, digestie, sănătate mentală.

 Symptom

Anxietate

Anxietatea e o stare de neliniște excesivă cu simptome fizice (palpitații, transpirații, tremor) și psihice (frica, îngrijorare). Tulburarea anxioasă afectează 10-15% dintre adulți.

 Condition

Depresie

Depresia e tulburare afectivă cu dispoziție tristă persistentă, pierdere de interes, modificări în somn/apetit/energie. Afectează 15-20% din populație pe parcursul vieții. Necesită tratament medical.

 Condition

Tulburări anxioase

Tulburările anxioase includ: TAG (anxietate generalizată), tulburare panică, fobie socială, agorafobia, fobii specifice, PTSD, TOC. Afectează 15-20% pe parcursul vieții.

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

Which supplement helps the most?
Vitex agnus-castus has the best evidence. Magnesium + B6 + calcium is a validated combination. Effect after 2-3 cycles.
Do oral contraceptives help with PMS?
Yes, in many women. Those with drospirenone are specifically effective for PMS.
PMS and PMDD — the difference?
PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is the severe form with major functional impairment. It requires psychiatric/gynecological treatment.
Why do I change so much premenstrually?
Hormonal fluctuations (estrogen, progesterone) affect serotonin and GABA. Some women are more sensitive to these changes.

See also

Need a medicine now?

Find the nearest pharmacy
— with prices and stock.

Open the map →