Premenstrual
Syndrome:
PMS is characterized by a variety of
symptoms occurring at regular, repeated times during the menstrual cycle, most often 7
– 14 days before the woman’s period begins. Some women may be minorly affected
whereas others may experience debilitating symptoms. PMS tends to be more common in women
aged 30 – 40, and less common in teenagers. The cause of PMS is usually some
imbalance between the two hormones progesterone and estrogen. Dr. Guy Abrahams concluded
in his extensive studies on women with PMS, that there are four major types:
Type
of PMS |
Symptoms |
Cause |
PMS – A
65 – 75% |
Anxiety,irritability,
mood swings,
Nervous tension
|
High estrogen
Low progesterone |
PMS – C
24 – 35% |
Cravings, increased appetite, fatigue, headaches, palpitations, dizziness
|
Deficiency of PGE1 Increase in carbohydrate intolerance |
PMS – D
23 – 37% |
Depression,
crying, forgetfulness, confusion, insomnia |
Low estrogen,
High progesterone
May be elevation of adrenal androgen
|
PMS – H
65 – 72% |
Fluid
retention, breast tenderness, abdominal bloating |
Excess
aldosterone |
Dr. Metcalfe finds that
women’s episodes of PMS may be primarily one of these types or they may be
combinations. There are approximately 150 symptoms associated with PMS. The great news is
that natural therapies are incredibly effective in balancing hormonal fluctuations and
decreasing the associated symptoms.
Treatment:
Lifestyle Changes:
Chart your symptoms on a monthly calendar
to determine onset and type.
Exercise 1 hour every day.
Get extra rest and pamper yourself during the PMS phase. Get a massage, pedicure, etc.
Avoid alcohol.
Stop smoking.
Dietary Changes:
No caffeine. Caffeine increases breast
tenderness and makes anxiety and fatigue worse.
Reduce sugar. Dr. Abrahams found that diets of those suffering from PMS were 62% higher in
their simple carbohydrate intake and 275% higher in sugar intake. Sugar causes a loss of
magnesium, which may lead to severe menstrual cramps.
Eat more fruits and vegetables before your period.
Increase fiber intake to 30 grams a day.
Drink 10 glasses of filtered water daily.
Decrease saturated fat intake. Choose very lean cuts of meat and avoid processed foods.
Increase Intake of essential fatty acids from nuts, seeds, fish, olive and canola oil.
Avoid chocolate.
Natural Solutions:
PMS Management Protocol:
PMS Nutritional: 3 capsules with
breakfast from ovulation (day 14) to the first day of your period.
PMS Herbal: 3 capsules twice daily between
meals from ovulation (day 14) to the first day of bleeding.
GLA 250: 1 capsule daily, with above.
Cal-Mag Chela-Max: 3 capsules before
bed with above.
|