PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME 101

 Approximately 75-85% of women experience some emotional and physical symptoms every month a few days prior to their period.

Some of the more common ones are; mood swings, breast tenderness, headache, fatigue, irritability, depression, food cravings, water retention, among many others. 

Several factors contribute to PMS; hormone fluctuations, brain chemicals such as Serotonin, and possibly foods and stress levels. 

What can you do for PMS? 

1. Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft) may help with the symptoms, either taken every day or the 2 weeks prior to your period.

2. Anti-inflammatories (Motrin, Naprosyn) can aid in the discomforts associated with PMS. 

3. Diuretics can help with water retention, relieving symptoms. 

4. Birth control pills can help with fluctuating hormones, thereby relieving symptoms. 

5. Limit the amounts of salt, caffeine, alcohol, 

6. Eat foods high in calcium and increase your complex carbohydrates. 

7. Perform routine, daily exercise and practice some form of meditation or yoga. 

Some herbs that may be helpful; 

Black cohosh – This helps with sleep problems, hot flashes, headaches, mood swings. Usually the dose is 250mg. capsule daily. 

Chasteberry – 10 drops in water every morning for cramping.

 Ginger – Ginger helps nausea and fatigue. Drink one cup of ginger tea daily. 

Dandelion – This is a natural diuretic and helps with water retention. Drink 1-3 cups of tea daily. 

Evening Primrose oil – Helps with breast tenderness and cramping. Usual dosage is 250mg. to 500 mg. in a capsule form.

Typically women lose 20-60 grams of blood per menstrual cycle. When you suffer from menorraghia you usually lose 80 ml or more, of blood with each menstrual cycle. Periods last longer than seven days, tampons or pads need to be changed every hour, and there may be large blood clots passed. Women may complain of fatigue, shortness of breath, and have anemia as a result of the blood loss.

 As women near menopause this can become more common. Causes can be;

Uterine fibroids

Endometriosis

Hormone imbalance

Polyps

Thyroid imbalance

First line treatment can include;

Motrin/Naprosyn for discomfort

Oral contraceptives to regulate hormones better

Progesterone to also regulate hormones

Treatment with Iron if anemic

Second line treatment could be:

D&C to scrape lining from uterus which reduces the bleeding

Endometrial ablation or resection to remove the uterine lining

Hysterectomy

Things you can do;

1. Increase foods rich in Iron and Vitamin C to prevent anemia.

2. Avoid taking Aspirin as it interferes with clotting of your blood.