PMS: Pre-Menstrual Syndrome
By Claudette Wadsworth
The complex interplay of hormones is often taken for granted until disruption manifests itself. A hormonal disorder is when there is an imbalance in the levels of hormones, such as oestrogen, progesterone or testosterone, which causes illness in the body, such as premenstrual syndrome, PMS. Our hormones are fundamentally important to our entire lives because hormones control our emotions and our emotions control and create our lives. What are emotions though? Emotion is simply energy in motion : e - motion, and as this energy arises out of the body and attracts either people or things or events in your life. That is how powerful our feelings, and thus our hormones, are. This is how powerful you are.
All of our hormones are very sensitive and therefore, easily affected by our diet, lifestyle, environment and emotional and spiritual well being.
Despite the complexity, the fundamental causes of hormonal disruption can be simplified to four factors: Toxicity, Stress, Insulin, and Nutrition.
Toxicity
Toxins are substances that are poisonous to the processes that maintain life. We know we are toxic when our skin breaks out in pimples, we have terrible body odour or we are so irritable and moody we scream at everyone near us. Toxins can disrupt the hormonal balance by:
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the liver not functioning properly as it must break down the hormones,
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constipation so that are hormones are not excreted through the bowel,
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heavy metals from cigarettes and amalgam fillings in our teeth, potent synthetic hormones, called xenoestrogens, from our foods, eg. hormonally-fed animal meats, plastics and household cleaning products,
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industrial wastes such as the hormonally-acting chemical, dioxin.
Stress
Stress is how we respond to various circumstances, particularly when we are frightened or rushed. Our adrenal glands are stimulated to release huge amounts of the stress hormones: adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol, which cause racing of the heart, sweating and shaking all over, feelings of nausea, and urgency to urinate. If this was occurring on a slightly reduced or controlled scale everyday, as in most people living in the city, the adrenal glands eventually become exhausted. However, the body continues to produce these hormones by converting other hormones, particularly progesterone and pregnenolone, into cortisol in order to supplement the adrenals low reserves. Clearly, this depletes the levels of these hormones and the functions for which these hormones are needed. Furthermore, cortisol stimulates high blood sugar levels so that sugar will be immediately available for the “flight or fight” response. This in turn stimulates excessive insulin secretion which, when chronically elevated, contributes to insulin resistance.
Insulin
When sugars & refined carbohydrates are eaten, such as white bread, chocolate and soft drinks, the pancreas, the organ that controls our blood sugar levels, goes into overload, secreting excessive amounts of insulin. This produces insulin resistance where the cells do not respond to insulin anymore and sugar can no longer get into the cells to be used to make hormones, regulate hormones or for energy production for the body. Insulin resistance also causes other hormonal disruptions, such as high levels of circulating androgens and decreased levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which both in turn further disrupt our hormones.
Nutrition
Nutrition is fundamental to all health. The body needs certain nutrients to actually make the hormones. The liver needs certain nutrients to break down the hormones. The digestive system plays a role in oestrogen excretion, by needing adequate fibre to keep your bowels regular. Otherwise, with constipation, the oestrogens are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream.
PMS: Premenstrual Syndrome
Most people have heard of the dreaded PMS or PMT that even husbands and boyfriends pick up on before a period! More than three quarters of women suffer from some form of premenstrual syndrome, PMS, occurring cyclically each month 7-10 days prior to their period. It is characterized by irritability, depression, anxiousness, headaches, breast swelling and pain, sugar and chocolate cravings as well as acne. There have actually been over 150 recorded symptoms of PMS.
With PMS there is a relative excess of oestrogen, or, it maybe not enough progesterone to balance the oestrogen as these two hormones work together to regulate our fertility and menstrual cycles. Hormonal changes can play a significant role in the worsening of some diseases premenstrually, eg. asthma, migraines, diabetes, depression, epilepsy. PMS has been associated in studies with physical and mental impairment, work absenteeism, relationship problems and difficulties with role acceptance.
Treatment:
Diet is the foundation of all good health so treatment must always start here for all PMS conditions. Extensive information and resources are given to help you alter your diet to healthier options.
Compared to symptom-free women, PMS patients consume 62% more refined carbohydrates, 275% more refined sugar, 79% more dairy products, 78% more sodium, 53% less iron, 77% less manganese & 52% less zinc.
Normalising insulin and blood sugar levels is an essential part of treatment by using weight management, exercise, stress reduction techniques, dietary advice, nutritional supplements and herbal medicines.
Hormonal regulation is achieved using specific herbal medicines and nutritional supplements which are individually prescribed to:
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Balance hormones to improve the relative oestrogen excess and correct the underlying hormonal imbalance.
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Ensure normal menstrual flow and uterine function
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Decrease constriction of blood vessels and muscular spasm, thereby decreasing pelvic congestion and pain
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Improve liver function which breaks down and removes excess oestrogen, other hormones and toxins
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Calm and nourish the nervous system as well as balance mood swings
Using the work of Christiane Northrup, author of Women’s Bodies Women’s Wisdom, the emotional connections to PMS are discussed to address any underlying issues.
Article provided by:
Claudette Wadsworth
BA, BHlthSc, AdvND, DN, DRM, AdvNFM, MATMS
Bondi Junction
