Premenstrual Disorders

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natural medications. These include the natural antidepressants such

as SAM-e and Saint-John’s-wort. In this case, more is not better but

may lead to problems worse than PMS symptoms. Alcohol should be

avoided or used cautiously when taking antidepressants.

Because antidepressants are not sedatives (that is, they do not

cause drowsiness or foggy thinking), driving or performing other

hazardous jobs should not be a problem while taking these medica-

tions. Nevertheless, caution should be used until the correct dosage

has been determined to be sure of the effects of any drug. As has

been mentioned before, medication affects each person differently.

Women who might become pregnant should be aware that few

A woman and her doctor should carefully assess her need for

psychiatric drugs during pregnancy.