Cyclic recurring problems in women leading up to the monthly bleeding have been described in medical literature for more than a hundred years. The actual term of PMS, however, originates from a British gynaecologist who did not use it until 1952.
Neither the expression of hysteria is randomly chosen when used about women who - in relation to their menstruation - can be somewhat emotionally unstable. Hystera is namely the Greek word for uterus.
The unpleasantness during the female menstrual cycle referred to as PMS can have many different expressions - from mental imbalance, tender breasts, spotty skin, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation, distension, weight gain caused by accumulated water, to a craving for certain kinds of food. All of these diversified symptoms can be caused by PMS.
The symptoms can occur in relation to ovulation or just before menstruation - or they can show up on various times during the course of one and the same menstrual cycle. To many women, the symptoms can be so severe that they are of great inconvenience in their everday life.
PMS is said to affect 30 - 40% of all menstruating women. Most of these women are in their thirties or forties. 10% of these women are quite severely bothered by the symptoms. Although the knowledge of well-defined PMS symptoms has been there for more than 60 years, the problem is still not fully recognized. For this reason, many women suffering from PMS do not get the necessary help for their problem.
Various affects on the body provokes PMS but some factors are more relevant than others, e.g. alterations in the ratio between the two hormones oestrogen and progesterone in the second half of the menstrual cycle.
This hormonal disturbance leads to a reduced liver function, a reduced level of serotonin in the brain (serotonin has a calming effect and is important in order to get a good night's sleep), it lowers the level of endorphins, reduces the activity of vitamin B6, and affects other bodily hormonal balances. An increase in the body's oestrogen level affects the function of vitamin B6. In combination with other vitamins and minerals, both vitamin B6 and magnesium need to be present in order for the body to function properly, and deficiencies in both vitamin B6 and magnesium have been established as being a frequent cause of PMS. Moreover, it is often necessary to be examined for heavy metal poisoning, hypothyroidism, allergies, and food intolerance.
The PMS symptoms are divided into four main groups. By keeping a diary of your symptoms throughout your menstrual cycle, you will get a pointer as to which of the four groups your symptoms belong to, and this will make it easier to detect which dietary supplements you need. You should do this in concert with an experienced therapist. It should be mentioned, however, that the symptoms rarely only belong to one group - accordingly, it is possible to have symptoms from several groups.
PMS A
This is the largest group containing 65 - 75% of all PMS patients. The most common symptoms are anxiety, irritability, and emotional unstability. In these women, a high level of oestrogen and a low level of progesterone can be found in their blood plasma. Double-blind studies have shown that 200 - 800 mg. of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) normalizes the oestrogen balance and thereby also normalizes the patient's condition.
On average, PMS A patients consume 5 times as many dairy products and 3 times as much sugar as non-PMS patients. Both of these things reduce the body's magnesium content. A reduction in the consumption of dairy products and sugar, therefore, always improves the condition of the women in this category.
PMS H
The main symptoms of this group are fluid accumulations and soreness or pain in the breasts. A vitamin E supplement can be beneficial. The blood aldosteron level is high causing retention of water and sodium. Smoking - in combination with coffee, coke, and chocolate, is a significant strain on these patients. A change in these habits will result in improvement in their condition.
PMS C
These women often have a large craving for sweets. After eating them and after the immediate satisfaction, the symptoms resembling a hypoglycaemic attack (low blood sugar) will follow.
Studies show that the cause is an extraordinary low content of magnesium in the red blood cells. In order for magnesium to enter the red blood cells, vitamin B6 is cruicial. These type of patients have also been helped by the amino acid glutamine in a dosage of 500 mg. 3 times a day.
PMS D
The characteristics of this group, which is the most rare in its pure form, are depression, amnesia, confusion, a tendency to being on the brink of tears, and sleeplessness. As in PMS A, the symptoms are mainly psychological. In these women, the oestrogen level is low and the progesterone level is high, which is the opposite of what is the case in PMS A.
Reduced thyroid function is common. When treating this condition, it is necessary to be aware that a possible lead poisoning blocking the normal oestrogen function can worsen the situation.
Quite a few women suffer from endometriosis which can also be very painful during menstruation. In this disease, uterine tissue grows outside the uterus of unknown causes. Endometriosis can cause some of the same symptoms as PMS.
