Proven Natural Remedy for PMS
Symptoms including Menstrual Cramps
PMS
Women may experience emotional and
physical changes prior to menstruation. The medical term for these
changes is "premenstrual syndrome," commonly called PMS. More than
150 symptoms are associated with PMS, ranging from breast
tenderness to nausea to anger and irritability.
Premenstrual emotional and physical
changes occur in nearly 80% of menstruating women. The symptoms
vary from woman to woman and from cycle to cycle. Their intensity
ranges from mild to incapacitating. About 20% to 40% of women who
have PMS experience symptoms that make life difficult and 2.5% to
5% experience PMS that is debilitating.
It is not clear what causes
premenstrual syndrome. A combination of physiological, genetic,
nutritional, and behavioral factors are likely involved. There is
no diagnostic test for PMS. Tests may be used rule out other
conditions in women who experience severe symptoms. Emotional and
physical changes that are in sync with a woman’s menstrual cycle
are usually a telltale sign.
The most important indication of
PMS is the cyclic nature of symptoms. There is usually a symptom
free time period 1 week after menstruation ends. At least 25% of
patients do not have a symptom free time period; therefore, they
should be evaluated for other medical or psychiatric conditions.
PMS can be treated in a variety of
ways. The initial and usually most effective treatment involves
non medical changes in diet and lifestyle.
Causes
Scientists have been unable to
identify a single cause of PMS. Theories range from hormonal and
chemical to nutritional and psychological. Women whose mother or
sisters have PMS are more likely to have it, so there may be a
genetic component. A combination of genetic, physiological, and
environmental causes are likely.
Hormones and
neurochemicals
The physical, emotional, and
psychological changes that occur in PMS coincide with hormonal
changes of the menstrual cycle. PMS may be a response to declining
levels of estrogen and progesterone that occur just prior to
menstruation. The exact role of the various hormones are not
clear. Some neurochemicals (chemicals that help make up the
nervous system) also have been implicated. Hormones and
neurochemicals may interact to produce PMS.
Mineralocorticoids are a group of
hormones that regulate the body’s fluids and electrolytes (e.g.,
sodium, potassium). Changing levels of mineralocorticoids may
cause the bloated feeling that is common in women with PMS.
Prolactin stimulates breast
development and the formation of milk during pregnancy and is
associated with amenorrhea (abnormal absence of menstruation) and
other gynecologic complications. Excess prolactin may cause the
breast tenderness associated with PMS, although studies show that
suppressing the secretion of excess prolactin does not relieve
symptom.
Prostaglandins are hormone like
substances that play a role in the luteal phase of the menstrual
cycle, which occurs prior to bleeding. Changing levels of
prostaglandins may be involved in PMS.
Serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric
acid (GABA) are chemicals that relay signals from one nerve cell
to the next (neurotransmitters). Low levels of serotonin have been
linked to depression, and low levels of GABA are associated with
anxiety, both symptoms of PMS.
Endorphins are neurochemicals that
suppress pain and increase the threshold to painful stimuli. Low
levels of endorphins may be involved in PMS.
Nutrition
Nutrition probably plays a causal
role in PMS. Women can alleviate many symptoms by changing their
diet. Eliminating certain foods or drinks often reduces symptoms
to more tolerable levels.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
afflicts many PMS sufferers. Some researchers speculate that the
hypoglycemia is a precursor to PMS.
Depression
Because depression-related symptoms
are prevalent in women who suffer PMS, there may be an underlying
psychological condition that causes or contributes to PMS.
Approximately 60% of women with major affective disorder (e.g.,
depression) also have PMS, and more than 30% of women who suffer
chronic depression experience their first depressive episode
during a time of significant hormonal change (e.g., premenstrually).
In one study, between 57% and 100% of women who suffered PMS were
found to have had at least one prior major depressive episode,
compared to 0% to 20% of women without PMS.
However, PMS encompasses more than
depression, and by focusing too much on this aspect, other
important physiological factors may be overlooked.
Signs and
Symptoms
PMS has been characterized by more
than 150 symptoms, ranging from mood swings to weight gain to
acne. The symptoms vary from woman to woman and cycle to cycle.
For some women, the symptoms may be mild or moderate, and for
others, they may be so severe as to be incapacitating. Common
symptoms include the following:
Mood-related ("affective")
symptoms: depression, sadness,
anxiety, anger, irritability, frequent and severe mood swings
Mental process ("cognitive") symptoms: decreased
concentration, indecision
Pain: headache, breast tenderness, joint and
muscle pain
Nervous system symptoms: insomnia
(sleeplessness), hypersomnia (sleeping for abnormally long periods
of time), anorexia, food cravings, fatigue, lethargy, agitation, a
change in sex drive, clumsiness, dizziness or vertigo, paresthesia
(prickling or tingling sensation)
Gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea, diarrhea,
palpitations (rapid fluttering of the heart), sweating
Fluid and electrolyte symptoms: bloating, weight
gain, oliguria (reduced urination)
Skin symptoms: acne, oily skin, greasy or dry
hair
