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Womens
Health
Premenstrual
Syndrome
This is a syndrome
(also called PMT) is characterised by a wide range of
symptoms which occur to12 days before the onset of the
menstrual cycle. Around 40 per cent of women define
themselves as suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS),
some so intensely affected that their normal daily functioning
is severely compromised.
Symptoms include: anxiety,
mood swings, sugar cravings, dizziness, depression,
bloating, weight gain and lethargy.
An imbalance of prostaglandins
which are important hormones are thought to play a major
role in the development of PMS. There are ‘good’ prostaglandins
which reduce inflammation and look after the health
of your reproductive organs and ‘bad’ prostaglandins
which increase inflammation and have detrimental effects
on your body.
Some of the symptoms
associated with PMS are thought to be due to the accumulation
of ‘bad’ prostaglandins which occurs when you eat too
much butter, milk, meat and margarine.
A diet rich in our
old friends, the essential fatty acids, together with
magnesium found in almonds and cashews, promotes good
prostaglandins in your body thereby ensuring optimum
hormonal health.
PMS has been divided
into clinical subtypes depending on the predominance
of symptoms.
Sufferers of;
PMS type 'A' have anxiety, mood swings and insomnia.
Oestrogen excess and progesterone deficiency are thought
to account for this subtype.
Further causes of PMS
Type 'A' are a sluggish liver which is slow to metabolise
oestrogen and vitamin B6 deficiency.
PMS type C is
characterised by sugar cravings, fatigue and headaches.
Low levels of magnesium, and the good prostagiandin,
PGE1 favour the development of this subtype.
PMS type D sufferers
endure depression and mental confusion.
PMS type D is associated
with a lack of B vitamins and elevated tissue levels
of the heavy metal lead.
PMS type H is
associated with weight gain, breast swelling and abdominal
bloating. Food allergy especially to wheat can cause
fluid retention and weight gain. Magnesium and vitamin
B6 deficiency are also thought to be involved here.
Diet
Eating plenty of green
leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and fish
would ensure that you have the correct balance of essential
fatty acids, good prostaglandins, magnesium and B vitamins.
Animal fats and dairy
should be kept to a minimum along with refined sugars,
caffeine, alcohol and chocolate.
Tests
Performing a hair mineral
analysis would reveal the presence of heavy metal toxicity
such as lead and aluminium. Vitamin assays especially
for magnesium and vitamin B deficiencies would be extremely
important.
Food allergy testing
and a liver detoxification profile would be indicated
for those who suffer from fluid retention or the mood
changes associated with PMS.
Assessing adrenal exhaustion
which is associated with PMS would be necessary for
those who are excessively tired premenstrually and struggle
to get out of bed in the morning. In those instance
where sugar cravings, lethargy and headaches predominate
a glucose tolerance test would be indicated.
Nutritional supplements
and herbal remedies
Vitamin A supplements
correct faulty oestrogen metabolism while vitamin E
promotes the presence of good prostaglandins.
Vitamin B, together
with a B complex, magnesium and zinc reduce the symptoms
of PMS.
To improve liver function
a combination of inositol, choline and the amino acid
methionine should be taken.
Progesterone cream
applied to the skin for the latter part of the menstrual
cycle has been found to be one of the best solutions
for PMS symptoms where other measures have failed.
Research out of San
Diego indicates that some women who suffer from PMS
may benefit by taking melatonin, thereby correcting
the levels of certain brain chemicals.
The herb Vitex agnus
castis has a hormone balancing effect while the ancient
Chinese herb Dong Quai is considered to be a harmonising
tonic.
Wild yam extract contains
the plant hormone ‘diosgenin’ which is similar in structure
to progesterone. This herb has proved effective in treating
many of the symptoms of PMS including cramps, irritability
and depression.
Main
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Acne | Eczema
| Premenstrual Syndrome
Depression
and Fatigue | Summary
Bondi
Family Health Centre
Phone 02 9365 1333
Int: 612 9365 1333
260a Bondi Road
Bondi NSW 2066
AUSTRALIA
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