PMS Syndrome

A Label or a Real Event?

We were once told that PMS was not really a syndrome, nor was it even worthy of medical investigation. Sexiest pointed to this as a "female cop-out phenomenon"; feminists deplored its existence or its public acknowledgment. The most insulting slur was the lack of interest in research and the misinformation on cause and treatment promulgated by the medical profession.

At last we now have a definition for PMS: unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms that recur regularly during the second phase of our hormonal or menstrual cycle.

PMS affects over 25 million women or about 20% of us have some sort of disruption of our normal hormone levels. PMS is now recognized as a real health problem. PMS is a collection of over 150 reoccurring symptoms that usually appear between ovulation and to the onset of menstruation, when levels of progesterone are deficient and/or estrogen is dominant. PMS appears to be a progesterone deficiency. Many of the symptoms women suffer are influenced by the imbalance of hormonal levels. See the hormone product page for those signs - listed on the left column.

Until now, women had to endure PMS symptoms. The broad range of PMS symptoms often are influenced by hormonal imbalance. Dr. K. Dalton, who has successfully used progesterone therapy for over 30 years in England, reports complete relief of symptoms.

Many women experience relief of symptoms by applying 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of usp progesterone cream from ovulation to the onset of menstruation - 14 days on, 14 days off. But lets get to some of the reasons of our pain first.

The three main catagories of menstrual irregularities are lack of period (amenorrhea), painful periods (dysmenorrhea), and heavy periods (menorrhagia).

Lack of Periods

I've known many to go thru this, but it could be a sign of an underlying problem. It could indicate lower levels of estrogen and therefore your at a greater risk of osteoporosis. Or it could mean a lack of progesterone and that your at a greater risk of endometrial problems, including endometrial cancer. And of course, if your not menstruating, you can't become pregnant. What I think is alarming, is that primary amenorrhea can occur because the girl is very thin or exercises excessively. It can be an indication of anorexia nervosa. Women who have very low body fat do not menstruate. Ask yourself, is this worth being thin? Is there such a thing as to thin? What am I doing to myself to fit into those pair of jeans or to look good in those bikini's?

But what if this is not the case for you. A girl might actually lack ovaries or a uterus and therefore not be able to menstruate. It could be a tumor, an injury or trauma, or a structural defect might be interfering with your menstrual cycle. It could interfere with the production of hormones, to the actions of the organs and tissues that the hormones effect. Have you been checked for ovarian cysts? Stress can also be the culprit.

And of course, amenorrhea could signal the onset of menopause or pregnancy.

Painful Periods

Dysmenorrhea is common in women, and in most cases is completely normal. There are many alternative treatments to ease your pain however. Some are listed on the left column. But at what point does painful periods signal something more? When pain interferes with your normal activities. Many women who have had children compare these pains with those of having a child. They wouldn't be mistaken. The factor most likely causing the pain is a hormone called prostaglandins. This hormone when released in excess, causes the uterus to contract during menstruation and also when a woman goes into labor. During menstruation, they ensure that all the menstrual blood and tissue are expelled. But excess prostaglandins can cause repeated contractions, thus cramping, maybe even spasms. Dysmenorrhea may also be caused by an underlying condition, such as endometriosis, an infection, or growths in the uterus.

Heavy Periods

Menorrhagia is a menstrual flow that lasts longer than eight days. It saturates a tampon or sanitary napkin within an hour. It can include large clots. There are many factors that may cause it. A hormone imbalance, endometriosis, a pelvic infection, uterine growths such as fibroids, or the use of an IUD. It may signal other irregularities in your cycle such as a lack of ovulation, low levels of progesterone, or an excess of prostaglandins. It can cause iron deficiency anemia.

"But when should I call the doctor," you ask? Please note these warning signs:

You have heavy menstrual flow that fills a tampon or sanitary napkin within an hour, heavy flow can cause anemia

You have missed a period and think you may be pregnant; a late flow that is unusually heavy could indicate a miscarriage

You experience sharp abdominal pain before periods or during intercourse; you could have endometriosis

You get your period after menopause


We had help with the information above from the following sources:

The Alternative Advisor - The Complete Guide to Natural Therapies & Alternatives Treatments