PMS - let’s get real about this debilitating state

PMS affects a very large number of women, and is the main reason women come to see us for menstrual issues.  Over 150 symptoms have been attributed to PMS.  Here are just some of the more common ones:

• Headaches

• Irritability

• Tearfulness

• Anger

• Poor memory

• Bloating

• Food cravings

• Breast tenderness and swelling

• Fatigue

• Weight gain

• Acne

• Joint pain

• Bowel changes

• Dizziness

• Insomnia

• Anxiety

  The mood changes that can occur pre-menstrually can be quite extreme and should be taken seriously.  If you feel that you are out of control, angry, depressed or highly anxious, it is time to get some support for your hormones to improve this situation.

Let’s talk in more detail about some of these symptoms:

·         Sugar or carbohydrate cravings:  Mostly, women feel that this is some kind of personality flaw or lack of self control.  We’re here to tell you that in most cases at this time of the cycle, it’s a biochemical imbalance.  There are many things that can set this up, and a clear focus on your nutrition and regular eating at this time of the month certainly helps.  Magnesium deficiency is commonly related to the poor blood sugar control that sets up the carb and sugar binges. Estrogen has been shown to play a role in the suppression of binge eating, so the rapid drop of estrogen in the latter half of the cycle makes sense as a potential trigger for this.  It relates to the chemical “serotonin” – our happy neurotransmitter.  Balancing your hormones and getting a good food plan in place can really help your experience of cravings pre-menstrually.

·         Fluid retention: the hormone Aldosterone causes this, in response to lower progesterone secretion, elevated estrogens, magnesium deficiency or stress. 

·         Pain: often a consequence of fluctuating prostaglandin levels.  Again, Magnesium can be very helpful here as a muscle relaxant, as can an appropriate dose of essential fatty acids.  Stress has been shown to exacerbate pain associated with menstruation.

·         Depletion: this might not sound like a very specific symptom, but it is very common these days, generally due to women experiencing extreme stress or adrenal exhaustion.  We use a class of herbal medicines called “Adrenal Adaptogens” to help counter the effects of busy lifestyles and consequent fatigue. 

·         Headaches or migraines: associated with a drop in estrogen often leading to a consequent drop in serotonin.  Removing dairy products from the diet of those suffering migraines can be of benefit.

·         Breast swelling or tenderness: the issue here is again around “what is normal”?  Nodules and general “ropiness” of breast tissue is quite common, but a frequent source of concern for women understandably.  In my experience, iodine deficiency can often be a trigger of this, and applying iodine topically to the breast tissue can have a positive effect.  Please consult with us before trying this if you have any thyroid gland dysfunction or history of this.   Increasing omega 3 fatty acids can also help with this.  We have also had good success with the herb Calendula (prescribed in the right dose and under the guidance of a naturopath or herbalist).

·         Anger, irritability, tearfulness or transient low mood: Again the hormonal influence of estrogen and progesterone on serotonin is at play here.  It can be very intense for some women.  Making sure your body has all the material it needs to balance serotonin levels is important if these symptoms are part of your cycle.  A good start is a female-specific multi-vitamin and mineral, to supplement a balanced diet (with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids).  We also prescribe herbal medicines such as oats, withania, lavender, lemon balm and others to provide some balance at this time of the month (after a consultation with you).

Anti-depressants and synthetic hormones are a common prescription for PMS that is difficult to control. We like to offer you an alternative approach that is founded in nutrition and healthy lifestyle balance to get your hormones back where they are not affecting your life in such a negative way. We would love to help you.

Contact us for a PMS assessment appointment today.

ask@healhealth.co.nz