| Premenstrual
Syndrome (PMS) refers to a set of recurring symptoms arising during
the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, 7-14 days before menses.
Irritability, headaches, fatigue, bloating, water retention, breast
tenderness, joint pain, acne, depression, nausea, tension, food cravings,
pelvic cramping, anxiety, and low sex drive are some of the distressing
symptoms that regularly plague women who suffer from PMS.
Although
as many as four out of every 10 fertile women experience these symptoms
either moderately or severely, until recently these women were afforded
little help from conventional medicine.1,2 Based on their own experiences,
however, many women have intuitively come to understand the importance
of proper exercise, healthy diet, and reduction of stress in lessening
the severity of their symptoms.
Clinical
studies have uncovered a wide range of physiological imbalances
that are believed to trigger or contribute to PMS symptoms. These
include female sex hormone imbalances, nutritional deficiencies,
imbalances in fatty acid metabolism, yeast overgrowth, thyroid dysfunction,
glucose/insulin dysregulation, and disruptions of the body's natural
circadian rhythms.
Because
of its diverse etiologies, and because symptoms are so varied among
women, some researchers have attempted to categorize PMS into different
types, each with its own specific causal factors. These classifications
are not necessarily consistent among experts, however, and perhaps
the wisest approach is to realize that a number of functional imbalances--especially
in conjunction with each other--may trigger or exacerbate PMS in
its different forms, as well as create other health problems. However,
detecting these imbalances early can allow women to alleviate some
symptoms of PMS. For more information click on the links below:
PMS
and Female Sex Hormones: The symptoms of PMS correlate
with specific menstrual cycle changes modulated by the female sex
hormones estrogen and progesterone.
PMS
and Essential Fatty Acids: Fatty acid imbalances have
been linked to many symptoms of PMS including fluid retention and
depression.
PMS
and Adrenal Stress Hormones: Physical or emotional stress
may greatly exacerbate PMS.
PMS
and Candida Syndrome: Some researchers have proposed
that PMS develops when Candida albicans overgrowth impairs the immune
system.
PMS
and Melatonin Imbalances: PMS can disrupt the body's
natural circadian rhythm and interfere with a healthy sleep cycle.
PMS
and Elemental Imbalances:Recent studies have linked
mineral deficiciencies of calcium and magnesium with the development
of PMS.
PMS
and Amino Acids: Vitamin B deficiency or tryptophan imbalances
may trigger PMS irritability and depression.
Teresa Rispoli has her Ph.D. in Nutrition, is a licensed
Acupuncturist and clinical researcher. She has been in
practice for well over 25 years. It is through her clinical
practice that she has gained insights into chronic health
conditions. If
you are suffering from unexplained symptoms that come and
go you owe it to yourself to find out why. Find out today
call for a Nutritional Consultation with Dr. Rispoli.
Your
happiness is a reflection of your
health call today For an appointment,
contact her office at (800) 956-7083
or (818) 707-3125.
We also offer Functional Laboratory
tests that can be done through the
mail in the privacy of your home
to help determine why you are having
these symptoms. For more information
on these click on lab tests.
References
1 Lurie S, Borenstein R. The premenstrual syndrome. Obstet Gynecol
Surv 1990;45(4):220-8.
2 Seippel L, Backstrom T. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and
Metabolism 1998;83(6):1988-1993.
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