Health Issues Linked to Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Description:
Premenstrual Syndrome is the physical and emotional symptoms a woman
experiences associated with her mentrual cycle. They can occur up to
14 days before her period begins, and usually end at the start of the
period. Most women experience PMS at some point during their lives,
but the symptoms vary greatly. PMS affects 20-50 percent of women, and
severe PMS (dysphoric disorder) affects 5 percent of women. In
dysphoric disorder, the symptoms are so severe, that work, social
activities, and relationships are affected.
Symptoms for Premenstrual Syndrome vary greatly between women, but
may include a bad mood, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness.
In addition, other disorders may worsen or flare-up, such as seizures,
lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, and congestion. These symptoms
are generally followed by a very painful period.
PMS may occur because of the changing levels of progesterone and
estrogen hormones in the body. These levels fluctuate during the
mentrual cycle, and may also be broken down differently in the body
during the cycle. Another theory is that PMS may be due to an
aberration in blood viscosity and red blood cell hydration during the
menstrual cycle.
-- Causes of Premenstrual Syndrome --
The most common causative factors are excess estrogen levels,
progesterone deficiency. Others include elevated prolactin levels,
hypothyroidism, stress, endogenous opioid deficiency, and adrenal
dysfunction, depression, nutritional factors (macronutrients
disturbances/excesses and micronutrieint deficiency)
-- The Nutritional Approach --
Foods that have been proven to help with PMS:
Plant foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds particularly flax and hemp), soy protein.
Avoid commercial animal protein and commercial dairy, refined carbohydrates and caffeine.
Nutrients that have been proven to help with PMS:
Magnesium, Omega 3 and 6 Essential Fatty Acids, Soy Isoflavones,
Probiotics, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Black Cohosh, Chasteberry, Dong
Quai, Dandelion Leaf, Kava, and St. John's Wort.
Excercises that have been proven to help with PMS:
Exercise can have many positive psychological and physical benefits
for PMS sufferers, so try to include some form of exercise in your
daily routine. Exercise can help to deal with stress factors
contributing to PMS.
-- Basic PMS Plan --
Our American diet causes us so many problems -- too many refined
foods and not enough nutrient-dense foods. With countless
over-the-counter medications claiming to help with certain symptoms and
the prevalence of hormone replacement therapy, it is easy to confuse
the issue. The problem isn't solved by taking one drug or another.
Instead, addressing the root cause of the problem comes down to
examining what nutrients are missing from the body and how to replace
those to create optimal hormone balance.
WARNING: Interactions between St. John's
Wort and anticoagulants, indinavir, cyclosporin, digoxin, ethinyl
estradiol/desogestrel, and theophylline have occured. The mechanism of
action was believed to be liver enzyme induction and subsequent
alterations of drug levels by the herb. Also, several reports have
suggested that concurrent use of St. John's Wort and SSRIs may result
in "serotonin syndrome", including sweating, tremor, confusion,
flushing, and agitation. Use St. John's Wort with caution if
individuals are on these medications. |
