Pre-Menstrual Syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome is a common problem that causes significant
distress and interference with the lives of those who suffer from
it.
Up to 40% of women of reproductive age have premenstrual
syndrome.
Premenstrual syndrome (also called premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
describes the appearance of physical and emotional symptoms during
the second half (luteal phase) of the menstrual cycle.
Symptoms are most commonly experienced during the week before
menses, with symptoms disappearing at, or within, several days of
the onset of menstrual flow. The prominence of emotional symptoms
and behavioral distress distinguishes premenstrual syndrome from
the purely physical premenstrual symptoms (e.g. breast tenderness,
bloating) that occur far more frequently.
Commonly experienced mood symptoms in premenstrual syndrome include
irritability, sadness, anxiety, and rapidly changing mood.
Given that premenstrual syndrome is defined by the timing of
symptom appearance rather than the specific symptoms that occur,
diagnosis must be based on daily symptom ratings obtained over the
course of several menstrual cycles.
One should be able to see a substantial increase in symptom
severity in the 7-10 days before menses, with marked attenuation of
severity or symptom disappearance by the end of the menses.
Premenstrual syndrome does not appear to be caused by abnormal
levels of the hormones made by the ovaries. Nonetheless,
suppression of ovarian hormone levels is associated with
elimination of premenstrual syndrome in many women.
Women who drink large amounts of caffeine are more prone to PMS
than women who do not.
PMS is significantly increased by sugar
consumption. Refined sugar causes increased urinary
excretion of magnesium, which may lead to
cramping. .
Vitamin B complex is highly recommended when nervous tension
exists, or when birth control pills, tranquilizes or drugs with
estrogen-containing compounds are used.
Supplementation of B vitamins led to improvements in their ability
to function before, and during women’s periods.
Vitamin B-6 has shown to ease symptoms of PMS.
Vitamin E is effective for lessening mastalgia (breast pain) and it
has also shown to reduce nervous tension, headaches, fatigue,
depression and insomnia.
Magnesium is commonly deficient in women with PMS. One study
showed a reduction in nervousness in 89%, breast pain in 96%, and
weight gain in 95% of women with PMS.
Nutrition:
1) Eat less red meat; for protein eat fish, poultry and whole
grains. Eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt and butter should be
limited.
2) Increase complex carbohydrates (whole grains, vegetables,
cereals).
3) Reduce refined sugar to as little as possible
4) Polyunsaturated fats are to be avoided.
5) Salt - the smaller amount the better.
6) No caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate)
7) Eat lots of leafy green vegetables, grains, cereals.
8) No alcohol.
9) No fast foods.
Essential oils: Lavender, Roman chamomile,
geranium or clary sage oils often help relieve mood swings,
anxiety, irritability.
Herbal medicine: Scutellaria spp.,
Valeriana officinalis, Cimicifuga racemosa tincture: equal amount,
20 drops 3 times a day
Evening Primrose oil or Borage oil
Homeopathy:
Belladonna is useful for intense cramps that come on suddenly.
Belladonna is indicated for a woman whose pains worsen when she
bends over or applies pressure to her abdomen.
Colocynthis, in contrast, works better for women whose cramps are
relieved by applying pressure or warmth or doubling over. Usually a
woman with these symptoms also suffers from premenstrual anger and
irritability.
Magnesia phosphorica: also is useful when the cramps improve with
warmth and gentle pressure. For women who do not suffer
premenstrual irritability.
Pulsatilla improves a wide variety of PMS symptoms, and is often
chosen for the woman who feels weepy and depressed and wants to be
comforted. when the woman tends to feel warm, feels better in the
open air, and is not thirsty.
Acupuncture: a very effective treatment with
both short term and long term improvement
Chinese Herbal Medicine: traditional
formulae give excellent results, low dosage in capsule or tablet
form is generally sufficient
