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As part of the health interview I have with each patient, I ask women about their monthly
period. Many say it’s horrible; some have such a bad time that they occasionally have to stay
in bed for days.
What amazes me, though is that these women rarely think PMS is a problem; they assume that
there is nothing that can be done. “I’ve just learned to live with it”, they often say.
When I tell them that they should start their period and not even know it (that is: no pain, no
irritability, no bloating...) they often laugh. They laugh even harder when they change their
lifestyle and take a few supplements and realize that they have been living with pain and
discomfort that they didn't need to.
What is PMS?
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a collection of symptoms that typically occur right before a
women’s period. For some, it starts a week or more before, for many PMS starts a few days
before their period.
PMS symptoms range from mood changes including irritability, nervousness, feeling of lack of
control, agitation, anger, insomnia, difficulty in concentrating, lethargy, severe fatigue and
depression.
There is even a listing in the DSM, the book on psychiatric disorders, which lists a PMS
dysthymic disorder that underscores the low or depressive feeling that many women have
around their period.
PMS symptoms also include fluid retention, weight gain, breast fullness and pain, headaches,
vertigo, numbness, heart palpitations, bloating, constipation, nausea, vomiting, changes in
appetite, backache, worsening of acne, and much much more.
I often see migraines and other chronic conditions get worse right before a women’s period.
Women often crave certain foods right before their period, most notably, chocolate. Chocolate
is high in magnesium and has mood altering effects, both of which help to explain its popularity
among the PMS crowd.
Is this the pain you have to live with?
No, there is much that you can do.
DIET:
NUTRITION:
HERBS:
PMS is not the pain that you have to live with. Many women are surprised when their symptoms
go away. The pains that they have been having since their teenage years disappear. They
enjoy the freedom to feel great each and every day.
period. Many say it’s horrible; some have such a bad time that they occasionally have to stay
in bed for days.
What amazes me, though is that these women rarely think PMS is a problem; they assume that
there is nothing that can be done. “I’ve just learned to live with it”, they often say.
When I tell them that they should start their period and not even know it (that is: no pain, no
irritability, no bloating...) they often laugh. They laugh even harder when they change their
lifestyle and take a few supplements and realize that they have been living with pain and
discomfort that they didn't need to.
What is PMS?
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a collection of symptoms that typically occur right before a
women’s period. For some, it starts a week or more before, for many PMS starts a few days
before their period.
PMS symptoms range from mood changes including irritability, nervousness, feeling of lack of
control, agitation, anger, insomnia, difficulty in concentrating, lethargy, severe fatigue and
depression.
There is even a listing in the DSM, the book on psychiatric disorders, which lists a PMS
dysthymic disorder that underscores the low or depressive feeling that many women have
around their period.
PMS symptoms also include fluid retention, weight gain, breast fullness and pain, headaches,
vertigo, numbness, heart palpitations, bloating, constipation, nausea, vomiting, changes in
appetite, backache, worsening of acne, and much much more.
I often see migraines and other chronic conditions get worse right before a women’s period.
Women often crave certain foods right before their period, most notably, chocolate. Chocolate
is high in magnesium and has mood altering effects, both of which help to explain its popularity
among the PMS crowd.
Is this the pain you have to live with?
No, there is much that you can do.
DIET:
- Worsening of PMS symptoms is often related to an increase in sugar, alcohol and
caffeine.
- Increasing fiber, which increases the removal of estrogens from your body, has also
been shown to decrease PMS. Increasing vegetables is a great way to increase fiber.
Soy has been found to have a moderating effect on PMS. While diets that avoid all of
the above are difficult, many who suffer the extreme form of PMS find relief from these
simple measures.
NUTRITION:
- Many nutrients have been shown to be low in women who have the most severe forms of
PMS, the most important of these being Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Supplementing with
Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, Vitamin E have been found to be effective.
- Essential fatty acids in the form of both fish oils (EPA/DHA) and evening primrose oils
are often helpful. A good multivitamin covers many of the basic requirements, but
supplementing with additional B vitamins and Magnesium/Calcium is probably necessary
in most women with PMS.
HERBS:
- Many herbs are helpful for women suffering from PMS, but their use is best decided on
an individual basis. Herbs that have been traditionally used and have been helpful in
PMS are Vitex, Dong quai, Licorice root, Shepard’s purse, Motherswort and
Black cohosh.
- Additionally, herbs that help the liver often help PMS; these include Dandelion,
Burdock, Rosemary and many more.
PMS is not the pain that you have to live with. Many women are surprised when their symptoms
go away. The pains that they have been having since their teenage years disappear. They
enjoy the freedom to feel great each and every day.
| PMS: The Pain You Have To Live With? |
| Scott D Olson 257 W Delaware Circle Littleton, CO 80120 720-255-3188 |
| Wellbright LLC |
| Click Here to contact me via e-mail at scott@wellbrightllc.com |