Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
A group of recurrent symptoms, PMS affects roughly 75% of women between the ages 20-40, a few days to two weeks before menses. There are over one hundred different symptoms attributed to PMS ranging from anxiety, irritability and mood swings, to breast tenderness, bloating and fatigue. PMS is so complex that is divided into subgroups, each with its own set of symptoms. Evaluation includes a physical exam, detailed history and completion of a comprehensive questionnaire to categorize your symptoms.
Why You Have PMS
The most common factors responsible for PMS are hormonal issues, gland and organ dsyfunction, stress, lack of exercise, nutritional imbalances and environmental toxins. Studies have found that as many as 90% of women who experience PMS have low thyroid function. There is no one single factor that explains PMS in every woman. In fact, there are often multiple overlapping factors. PMS is not a disease in itself, but rather an imbalance in body chemistry. Uncovering the origins of this disorder is critical in determining the most effective course of treatment.
Hormones Gone Amuck
A large percentage of PMS sufferers have too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. The overconsumption of hormone-containing dairy and animal products, exposure to plastics and pesticides, and the use of birth control pills and prescription medications, all create excess estrogen relative to progesterone. High levels of estrogen deplete serotonin, the brain chemical responsible for elevating your mood and relieving pain. Stress raises cortisol levels and leads to adrenal burnout.
Treat the Gut and Liver
The liver normally breaks down estrogen and cleanses your body of toxins. If the liver is over-burdened by a poor diet (high in fat, low in fiber), vitamin deficiencies and toxicity, it becomes impaired in its ability to breakdown excess estrogen. As a result, your body becomes poisoned by its own hormones. Plant based natural medicines are used to reduce liver congestion. In addition, if the bowel is toxic, your liver cannot work properly and hormones will be recycled back into your body. Yeast overgrowth can also compromise estrogen breakdown and elimination. Colon hydrotherapy flushes the large intestine of yeast and toxic waste, and prevents constipation that would otherwise slow transit time and lead to hormone dysfunction. Good colon health also plays an essential role in balancing estrogen.
Dynamic Duo
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and magnesium are a powerful twosome. Vitamin B6 is critical for maintaining hormonal balance because it assists the liver to break down estrogen. It also promotes the synthesis of serotonin low in women with depression. All PMS symptoms are positively affected by vitamin B6, especially acne flare ups and headaches, by working to decrease estrogen and increase progesterone. Magnesium plays such an integral part in regular cell function that when inadequate, it can account for a wide range of PMS symptoms. It helps regulate blood sugar levels and relax muscles, and reduce fluid retention, breast tenderness, fatigue, anxiety and bloating. Magnesium even activates vitamin B6 so that it can do its job. Studies have shown that magnesium levels in PMS patients are very low and when treated with magnesium, mood related symptoms are greatly improved.
Advanced Treatment
When symptoms do not respond favourably to diet and lifestyle changes, hormone testing and hormone balancing are necessary. Blood and saliva testing determines which hormones are deficient or in excess. Often PMS can be corrected by treatment with the combination of natural progesterone and thyroid. Natural hormone therapy must be monitored to ensure proper dosing and maximum results. Other beneficial therapies include a series of B injections and intravenous vitamin and mineral therapy. Medical detoxification is used to eradicate PMS symptoms by decreasing environmental estrogens (PCBs, DDT, plastics, etc.) that mimic estrogen in your body.
Break the Cycle
Symptoms are so numerous and diverse that the key to success is the identification and treatment of the underlying cause. Fortunately, there are many options with natural medicines and therapies to address this complicated condition. You can win your monthly battle with PMS.
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