PMS
PMS
? 95% of women experience some premenstrual discomfort
? 35% of women have lifestyle disrupting symptoms
Causes of PMS
? 5-10 days before menses
? plasma estrogens are elevated
? plasma progesterone levels are reduced
? 6-9 days before menses
? follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are elevated
? 2-8 days before menses
? aldosterone levels are marginally elevated
? Prolactin levels are elevated in most PMS patients
PMS Symptomatic Groups
? PMS-A (Anxiety)
? PMS-C (Cravings)
? PMS-D (Depression)
? PMS-H (Hyperhydration)
PMS-A (Anxiety) Symptoms
? Anxiety
? Irritability
? Mood swings
? Increased appetite
PMS-A (Anxiety)
? Occurs in 65-75% of PMS
? Cause is high estrogen and low progesterone ratio levels
? High ratio thought to inhibit endorphin release
? Adrenaline/noradrenaline/seratonin (elevated levels)
? Dopamine/phenylalanine (decreased levels)
PMS-C (Cravings) Symptoms
? Increased appetite
? Headache
? Fatigue
? Dizziness/fainting
? Palpitations
PMS-C (Cravings)
? Occurs in 24-35% of PMS
? Possibly caused by low prostaglandins and increased carbohydrate tolerance
? Glucose tolerance tests show flattening of curve (indicates of excessive insulin response)
PMS-D (Depression) Symptoms
? Depression
? Crying
? Forgetfulness
? Confusion
? Insomnia
PMS-D (Depression)
? Occurs the least in PMS
? Mechanisms include low estrogen and high progesterone
? Heavy metal toxicity (especially lead) may play role in estrogen receptor blockade, mimicking low estrogenic symptoms
? Depleted magnesium may also contribute
PMS-H (Hyperhydration) Symptoms
? Fluid retention
? Swollen extremities
? Breast tenderness
? Abdominal bloating
PMS-H (Hyperhydration)
? Occurs in 65-72% of PMS
? Cause is excess aldosterone, possibly due to
? stress
? excess estrogen
? dopamine deficiencies
? chronic depletion of magnesium
Women Experiencing PMS:
Nutritional Correlation
? Refined sugar + 275%
? Dairy products + 79%
? Sodium + 78%
? Refined carbohydrates + 62%
? Manganese - 77%
? Iron - 53%
? Zinc - 52%
Phytoestrogens
Isoflavones
? Countries with traditional diet rich in soy foods (China & Japan) have low incidents of menstrual/menopausal complaints
? Thought to protect women because of isoflavones? weaker estrogen-like effect
? Bind to estrogen sites when levels of estrogen drop, thereby decreasing rate of decline of estrogen activity in body
Food Sources of Isoflavones
? Soybean Products
? milk, tofu, miso
? Legumes and Nuts
? sugar snap peas, green peas, split peas, lentils, peanuts, dried beans, green beans, garbanzo beans
PMS
Supplement Suggestions
? Establish if dysbiosis exists
? Correct bowel disturbance
? Acidophilus/bifidus
? Cat?s claw
? Garlic
? Grapefruit seed extract
? Olive leaf
PMS
Nutritional Supplement Suggestions
? Magnesium
? Vitamin B complex and folic acid reduce cardiovascular disease risk
? Borage oil/gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
? Adrenal complex
? Soy isoflavones
PMS
Botanical Supplement Suggestions
? Chasteberry
? Dong quai
? Milk thistle
? N-Acetyl Cysteine
PMS
Homeopathic Supplement Suggestions
? Lachesis
? Pulsatilla nigricans
? Sepia
? Sanguinaria