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PMS is a private agony for many women. It is identified by
the scientific community as a major clinical problem and it's
etiology remains elusive. Common symptoms are: mood swings,
breast tenderness, fluid retention, binge eating especially
on sweets, salt and chocolate, insomnia, depression, fatigue,
irritability, headache, skin acne, constipation, and many
others. The hallmark of PMS is it's menstrually related
cyclic occurrence with symptoms reaching their peak
intensity prior to the menstrual flow and resolving at or
soon after the onset of menstruation.
In the United States, menstruating women 18 years old and
over have a 60 to 95 percent prevalence of PMS with
approximately 10 to 15 percent suffering severe or
debilitating symptoms. It has been estimated that PMS
affects 5 million women and that at least $30 billion has
been lost in total wages. Apart from the social and work
related problems, suicide and criminal behavior can also
occur. In Great Britain a woman was acquitted in 1985 of
murdering her husband by pleading temporary insanity due
to her PMS. In the 19th century a 30 proof elixir was sold
as a solution to "female complaints." Since then many methods
of treatment have been tried but none have been universally
effective.
The most common and current therapies involve drugs, which
often have undesirable side effects, or supplements which
have a limited effectiveness. Research has shown that
chiropractic treatments in conjunction with proper diet
and regular aerobic exercise provide maximum relief of many
PMS symptoms with no undesirable side effects. If you have
any questions, call us! We would be happy to fill you in on
the details (references available).
Nutrition and PMS
(from Presmenstrual Syndrome: The Role of Nutrition, Supplementation
and Chiropractic in PMS Management by James Meschino, D.C.
Dynamic Chiropractic May 6, 2002)
1. Low fat, high fiber diet. Eat less animal fat and more grain
fiber (wheat bran and psyllium) and vegetables (especially
cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli
and Brussel sprouts).
2. Black cohosh contains triterpene or saponin compounds that
serve as natural building blaocks of progesterone synthesis.
Dosage: 40-80mg BID (2.5% triterpene content)
3. Casteberry: 175-225mg (0.5% agnuside content).
4. B50 complex
5. Magnesium: 300-400mg
6. Vitamin E: 400I.U.- mixed tocopherols
7. Calcium: 1200mg
8. Manganese: no greater than 6mg/day
9. Evening primrose oil: (gamma linolenic acid)
10. Multi-vitamin and mineral complex supplement
11. Aerobic exercise 3-6 times per week for 20-45 minutes per
session
12. Chiropractic adjustments and soft-tissue treatment
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PMS