|
what is it?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the term used to describe a range of physical and emotional changes that many women experience in the week or so running up to their period. The symptoms themselves are not unique to PMS — for example, depression, headaches and fatigue. What makes them characteristic is that they are cyclical — that is they come and go regularly — and disappear within a day or so of your period starting.
An estimated eight out of ten women experience some symptoms of PMS. 95% of women notice some changes premenstrually. However only 5% seek medical help and of these only one in four has true, severe PMS. The remainder have mild to moderate PMS that is compounded by other problems such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties and heavy and/or painful periods.
Common symptoms include:
- Temporary bloating and weight gain that pass when menstruation begins
- Swollen, tender breasts
- Skin problems, eg, acne
- Food cravings (especially for chocolate and sweets)
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Anxiety and tension
- Headaches and migraine
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Clumsiness
- Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
- Irritable bowel symptoms such as constipation and/or diarrhoea.
what causes it?
The exact causes of PMS are still unknown. However it is thought it may be a result of hormonal imbalances and disturbances in brain chemicals such as serotonin, which is responsible for mood. Bloating, weight gain and tender breasts may be due to high levels of aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands which governs the body's mineral and fluid balance.
Many complementary practitioners believe PMS is triggered or exacerbated by poor nutrition and stress. Aerobic exercise — anything that gets your heart beating faster and makes you slightly breathless — can help alleviate symptoms.
how complementary therapies may help
Each therapy has been coded from 1 to 5 depending on the amount of scientific evidence there is for its effectiveness. The higher the number the stronger the evidence, so 5 = definitely, 4 = probably, 3 = possibly, 2 = opinion, and 1 = rumour. (There is more detail about these in the 'does it work?' section of 'before you start'.)
Having said this, the codes aren't meant to be cast in stone or to put you off trying a particular therapy or therapies if you feel they might be helpful to you.
Go to therapies for a full description of each individual treatment, plus information on how to find practitioners.
reflexology
(code 3)
Research has shown that treating acupressure points in the ear, hand and foot can help ease premenstrual symptoms.
acupuncture
(code 2)
Acupuncture and related therapies such as acupressure and shiatsu are said to help rebalance hormone levels. Many women claim to have been helped although the evidence is not strong.
aromatherapy
(code 2)
Treatment may include massage with essential oils of lavender, clary sage and geranium, to reduce bloating; inhalations of lavender and chamomile, to help ease headaches; and baths of stimulating herbs such as rosemary, gernaium and bergamot, to ease tiredness and lethargy.
herbal medicine
(code 2)
The herbalist will tailor advice and treatment to your specific symptoms. Typical treatments include couch grass, for bloating; oats or skullcap, to help calm the nerves; or chamomile, for mood swings.
According to traditional herbal lore, vitex agnus castus (chaste tree) has long had a reputation for affecting hormones and recently some trials have confirmed that there may be some truth in this, although they are by no means conclusive. In another trial gingko biloba was found to help ease breast pain.
Other studies suggest that St John's Wort (hypericum) can help improve mood-linked symptoms. (see also depression)
homeopathy
(code 2)
A homeopath is likely to prescribe constitutional remedies tailored to you as an individual and/or remedies for specific symptoms such as fatigue, depression, irritability or clusters of symptoms.
Sepia may be prescribed for example if you feel cold, depressed and weepy with no desire for sex and a tendency to turn against those close to you. The remedy nat mur may be prescribed if you feel sad, irritable and bloated with swollen breasts — both symptom pictures that will be familiar to many women with PMS.
nutritional therapy
(code 2)
Nutritional therapies have proved extremely popular in the treatment of PMS. Consuming a refined diet, nutritional imbalances and low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) are thought by some nutritional practitioners to underlie symptoms such as cravings, digestive disturbances, headaches and migraine.
A therapist may advise eating a healthy, low fat, high fibre diet and taking supplements such as B complex vitamins, magnesium and calcium, said to help alleviate stress. Other supplements that may help regulate hormones include vitamin E, zinc, and essential fatty acids such as evening primrose, borage and/or fish oils, which may also help with symptoms such as breast pain.
Some nutritional therapists divide PMS into different symptom patterns, each of which requires different dietary regimens and supplements.
osteopathy and chiropractic
(code 2)
The therapies may be used to reduce pelvic congestion, ease stress, improve circulation and alleviate headaches and migraine.
other therapies
autogenic therapy, hypnotherapy, massage , reflexology , relaxation and breathing , meditation , and yoga may all help relieve stress and fatigue and so alleviate symptoms such as mood swings, migraine and tension headaches. Strenuous exercise has also been shown to improve symptoms.
» help and info
If you have further questions, why not search the extensive bank of answers provided by our trained advisors? Check out just ask.
For details of other organisations, websites and publications go to our get help directory.
(July 2002)
|
