A Natural Approach to Managing PMS
What is PMS?
"Premenstrual Syndrome" (PMS) is the name given to the cyclic occurrence of distressing symptoms experienced by women in their estrogen active years. The symptoms appear one to two weeks prior to menses, and usually diminish after the first day of menstration.
Up to 150 different symptoms have been reported. The most common symptoms associated with PMS are as follows: 80% experience irritability, anxiety, abdominal cramps; 60% report cravings for sweets and bing eating; 40% report bloating, weight gain and fluid retention; 5-20% describe depression, Mood swings, breast tenderness, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, dizziness or fainting, crying, alternating constipation and diarrhea, allergic complaints and skin irritations are also cited.
How Serious is the problem?
Premenstrual Syndrome is one of hte most common problems afflicting younger women. Up to half of all American women between 20 and 50 years of age (10 to 14 million) suffer from PMS. In a six year study with premenopausal women, it was found to be present in every type of gynecologic problem.
PMS also has a great impact on the family and society at large. Child abuse and marital strife have been reported in PMS patients. Over 35 years ago, absenteeism due to PMS resulted in an estimated loss of $5billion to American Industry. Today, with the high prevalence of PMS and more than 40% of adult American women in the work force, the loss to industry is probably several times that amount.
What causes PMS?
Experts believe that PMS results when there is and upset in the delicate balance between specific feminine hormones. That imbalance and its effects are illustrated below:
|
Excess
Estrogen Prolactin Prostaglandins |
Deficient
Progesterone |
The Action of Feminine Hormones in PMS
Estrogen
Causes bloating, weight gain and water retention by causing sodium retention.
Acts as a central nervous system stimulant to produce irritability and anxiety
Supportive of hypoglycemia creating an increase in sugar cravings and binge eating
Increases histamine release, which may promote skin and allergic problems
Causes an increase in pro-inflammatory Progestaglandins, producing a tendancy toward pain, redness and swelling.
Causes an increase in Prolactin, a hormone that can produce depression and dysphoria
Stimulate increased contraction and cramping of the smooth muscles of the uterus
Progesterone
Reduces bloating, weight gain and water retention by supporting sodium excertion.
Acts as a central nervous system depressant to calm irritability and anxiety
Increases blood sugar, which may help to decrease sugar cravings and bing eating
Helps to block histamine release, which may help prevent or reduce skin and allergic problems
Causes an increase in anti-inflammatory Prostaglandins, inhibiting pain, redness and swelling.
Causes a decrease in Prolactin, helping to relieve depression and dysphoria
Reduces contraction and cramping of the smooth muscles of the uterus
Nutrition Deficiencies and PMS
Scientific studies indicate nutritional deficiencies play a role in PMS development. One study showed that when comparing women with PMS to women without PMS, those with PMS consumed:
- 275% more refined sugars
- 79% more dairy foods
- 78% more sodium
- 100% less fiber
- 53% less iron
- 77% less manganese
- 52% less zinc
- 23% less magnesium
- 15% less chromium
- 45 times less vitamin B1
- 45 times less vitamin B2
- 6 times less niacin
- 11 times less vitamin B5
- 37 times less vitamin B6
Furthermore, 12 of the 14 women without PMS ingested nutritional supplements regularly. By contrast, only 6 of the 39 PMS patients ingested nutritional supplements on a regular basis.
A recent survey of 502 American physicians revealed that 90% provide dietary guidance and nutritional supplements for the management of PMS.