Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), can also be called premenstrual tension is a complex of physical and emotional symptoms that occur repetitively in a cyclic fashion before menstruation and that diminish or disappear with menstruation.
PMS is merely annoying; severe PMS (or PMDD) causes serious difficulties for no more than 5 to 10% of women of reproductive age, with 95% experiencing some form of PMS. More than 150 symptoms have been identified and include disruptions in mood, bloating, breast engorgement and tenderness, and insomnia. Other symptoms are anger, depression, abdominal cramping, low back pain, headaches, generalized joint pain, food cravings, loss of libido, acne, weight gain, and panic attacks.
Many so called experts in this subject claim it comes from unknown etiology, but current research shows come evidence supporting the following etiologies: serotonin deficiency postulated because most patients affected by PMS have differences in serotonin levels. Magnesium and calcium deficiencies are postulated as nutritional causes of PMS.
Studies evaluating supplementation show improvement in physical and emotional symptoms. Women with PMS often have exaggerated response to normal hormonal changes. Rapid shifts in estrogen and progesterone promote pronounced emotional and physical responses. Vitamin B6 has been the subject of most trials, and the majority of these trials show some benefit. In Europe, B6 supplementation is an accepted treatment.
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) exists when women complain of regularly recurring psychological or somatic symptoms, or both, which occur specifically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and which are relieved by the coming of, or during menstruation. Symptoms can be severe enough to disrupt everyday life.
Mild physiological symptoms occur in approximately 95% of all women of reproductive age. Approximately 5% of symptomatic women complain of such severe symptoms that their lives are completely disrupted.
Conservative Treatments:
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) has been the subject of the most trials, and the vast majority of these trials show some benefit. B6 defiency is one hypothesized cause of PMS, and in Europe, B6 supplementation is an accepted treatment. Vitamin B6 doses ranged from 50 to 600mg per day; no dose-response effects were seen. Many studies were not adequate methodologically, nor was there sufficient consistency in dose or outcome measures among them to enable specific clinical recommendations. Additional studies are warranted to establish optimal dosage.
Reducing dietary fat or increasing exercise also may benefit PMS; but these harmless interventions would be expected to have other health benefits as well.
Disturbances in calcium or magnesium regulation may contribute to PMS; intracellular magnesium levels have been found to be lower in women with PMS. Some evidence suggests benefit for both calcium and magnesium as benign conservative, effective treatment. “Chaste-tree berry extract may also be promising.
The best way to conservatively treat PMS is through chiropractic care. Chiropractic is the largest, most regulated, and best recognized of the professions that have traditionally functioned outside mainstream medical institutions and have fallen into the category of complimentary and alternative medicine.
Chiropractors usually suggest therapeutic exercises and general fitness recommendations to most patients, and give advice to many patients about nutrition, vitamins, weight loss, smoking cessation, and relaxation techniques.
Many chiropractors use other forms of CAM, with emphasis on massage, acupressure and mineral and herb supplements.
For more information on finding a PMS remedy visit Dr. Steve Smiley’s website.
Dr. Steve Smiley is an Indianapolis, Indiana chiropractor specializing in spinal rehabilitation. He also educates the world on chiropractic and the healthy lifestyle.