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Women's Conditions / PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
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"Premenstrual Syndrome" (PMS) is the name given to the cyclic occurrence of distressing symptoms experienced by many women in their reproductive years. The symptoms usually appear 1 to 2 weeks prior to menses but diminish significantly or disappear completely within 5 to 7 days after the start of menstruation.
Up to 150 different symptoms have been reported. The most common symptoms associated with PMS are approximately as follows: 80% experience irritability, anxiety, abdominal cramps; 60% report cravings for sweets and binge eating; 40% report bloating, weight gain and fluid retention; 5-20% describe depression. Mood swings, breast tenderness, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, dizziness or fainting, crying, alternating constipation and diarrhea, allergic complaints and skin irritations are also cited.
Premenstrual Syndrome is one of the most common problems afflicting younger women. According to Dr. Susan Lark, a women's health expert, up to half of all American women between 20 and 50 years of age (10 to 14 million) suffer from some of the symptoms of PMS. In a six year study with premenopausal women, it was found to be present in almost every type of gynecologic problem.
According to Dr. G.E. Abraham, a noted PMS expert, PMS also has a great impact on the family and society at large. Child abuse and marital strife have been reported in some PMS patients. Over 30 years ago, absenteeism from work due to PMS resulted in an estimated loss of 5 billion dollars to the American industry. Today, with the high prevalence of PMS and more than 40% of adult American women in the work force, the loss to industry now is probably several times that amount.
Some experts believe that PMS results when there is an imbalance between specific feminine hormones. That imbalance and its possible effects are illustrated below:
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Excess |
Deficient |
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Estrogen |
Progesterone |
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Prolactin |
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Prostaglandins |
The Action of Feminine Hormones in PMS
| Estrogen |
Progesterone |
- May cause bloating, weight gain and water retention by causing sodium retention.
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- May reduce bloating, weight gain and water retention by supporting sodium excretion.
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- May act as a central nervous system stimulant to produce irritability and anxiety.
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- May act as a central nervous system depressant to calm irritability and anxiety.
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- May increase histamine release which may promote skin and allergic problems.
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- May help to block histamine release which may help prevent or reduce skin and allergic problems.
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- May cause an increase in pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, producing a tendency toward pain, redness and swelling.
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- May cause an increase in anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, inhibiting pain, redness and swelling.
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- May stimulate increased contraction and cramping of the smooth muscles of the uterus.
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- May reduce contraction and cramping of the smooth muscles of the uterus.
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Unbalanced nutrition may play a role in PMS development. Women with PMS in one study were shown to consume:
275% more refined sugars
45 times less vitamin B2
79% more dairy foods
6 times less niacin
78% more sodium
11 times less vitamin B5
100% less fiber
37 times less vitamin B6
12 of 14 normal women ingested nutritional supplements regularly. By contrast, only 6 of the 39 PMS patients ingested nutritional supplements on a regular basis.
23% less magnesium
15% less chromium
15% less chromium
45 times less vitamin B1
77% less manganese
52% less zinc
53% less iron
A recent survey of 502 American physicians revealed that 90% provide dietary guidance and nutritional supplements in the management of PMS.
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