Beat the Bloat

Flower oils such as evening primrose oil (which contains GLA) and starflower oil are also recommended, but you should always inform your doctor if you are taking herbal supplements.

Other ways of trying to relieve the symptoms of water retention with PMS are to eat a healthy, balanced diet that's low in saturated fat and sugar, high in carbohydrates and low in salt. Gaynor Bussell is dietary advisor to the National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome (NAPS) and as she says: 'our blood has to be maintained at a certain dilution, so if we take in more salt we need more fluid to excrete the salt. But what happens is the kidneys are put under too much pressure, which leads to a build-up of fluid. In women, this tends to gather in the abdomen.'

Around 80 per cent of salt in our diet comes from processed food, so it's important to eat as much unprocessed food as possible. Gaynor Bussell adds that 'even bread can contain a lot of salt. The body needs four grams a day, but most people are probably eating about 12 grams a day.' It is also a good idea to take regular exercise to alleviate the symptoms of fluid retention.

Warning signs
In some people, swollen ankles accompanied by breathlessness can be a sign of heart disease. If the heart fails to pump blood properly around the body, the lungs can fill with fluid and water, which results in fluid accumulating in the ankles and shins, or in the back if a patient is lying in bed. In the past this was known as 'dropsy'. Doctors will prescribe diuretics to reduce the volume of blood circulating around the body and therefore reduce the strain on the heart and the blood pressure. It is essential to see a doctor for tests if these symptoms occur.

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