Studies on Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS
estimate that PMS symptoms affect 20-90% of the menstruating women in the
United States alone. However, 5-20% of these women experience symptoms that
are severe enough to contribute to dysfunctional relationships and depression.
Drugs and PMS:
Current therapies for the management of
PMS include exercise, dietary modification, oral contraceptives,
progesterone, diuretics,
prostaglandin inhibitors, and even
psychotropic drugs. Although some success in controlling PMS symptoms has been
achieved with conventional therapies, their associated side effects can be serious.
For example, the use of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatories may reduce associated
pain, but can also increase the incidents of gastric bleeding, liver and kidney
toxicity.
Although PMS is not generally
considered a chronic disease, it does affect millions of women during their
childbearing years, and may interfere with their quality of
life.
Many diseases are known to be caused
by a lack of a nutritional component that plays a key role in the onset of
the disease. Such may be the case with PMS, and the reason that a
multi-vitamin such as Women's
Multivite may be helpful in reducing the symptoms of PMS.
According to a 1995 report published
in the American College of Obstetricians, premenstrual changes affect 80% of
the women of reproductive age. Studies have suggested that the decreased
production of progesterone or altered estrogen-progesterone ratios during the
luteal phase of the reproductive cycle may play a key role in the development
of PMS-like symptoms.
Nutrition and
PMS:
Natural therapies have shown positive
effects in helping to relieve the symptoms of PMS. Mindell (1979), reports
that vitamin B1 and B6
are effective in helping to reduce stress and can serve as natural diuretics.
The American College of Obstetricians (1995), reported that 90% of the
women with PMS have a problem with water
retention.
Vitamin B12 supplementation can
reduce irritability and provide increased energy. This is most likely a
result of Vitamin B12s ability
to help the body utilize fats, carbohydrates
and proteins.
Vitamin B6 and
PMS:
An experimental double-blind,
crossover, study was conducted with 48 women who
were given 100 mg of pyridoxine (B6) for 2 months and then given a placebo for
the remaining two months. During the B6 supplementation,
over 70% of the test subjects reported a significant improvement
in the symptoms of PMS. During the placebo phase of the trial only 30% of the
subjects reported any significant improvement.
Other double-blind, crossover studies using
50mg of pyridoxine supplements for six months demonstrated significant
reductions in PMS when compared to the placebo portion of the study.
Magnesium and PMS:
Magnesium's deficiencies are believed
to cause a depletion of dopamine in the brain. Certain types of PMS are
thought to be related to a decrease in dopamine by excess estrogen during the
menstrual cycle.
In a study conducted by the
French, 192 patients received magnesium supplement for 1 week
premenstrual and 2 days menstrual. A significant reduction in nervous tension
(89%); breast tenderness (96%
); weight gain (95%) and headaches (43%) was noted after only a single menstrual
cycle.
A deficiency in magnesium can also
cause an enlargement of the adrenal cortex, elevated aldosterone and
increased fluid retention in the tissues. Studies published in the Journal of
Clinical Endocrinology suggest that magnesium supplementation may help
reverse the amount of water retention in the body.
Vitamin D and
Calcium:
Headaches are a common complaint of
women suffering from PMS. In a small study
by Thys-Jacobs, several women were
given supplements with varying levels of Vitamin D and Calcium. In all cases,
the women reported a reduction in frequency and duration of migraine
headaches with the above supplementation. Vitamin D is also necessary for the
uptake of calcium and magnesium, the latter of which is reported to be helpful
in fighting depression.
A single dose of the Women's
Multivite formula contains 100% of the daily value(DV) for vitamin D and 50%
DV for both calcium and magnesium.
Herbs and PMS:
Chaste Tree,
(Vitex agnes castum) fruit has
been used since ancient times as a
female remedy. One of its properties is reported to help regulate the monthly
periods and ease premenstrual pain. A London study by Dr. Alan Stuart,
indicated a 60% reduction in PMS symptoms such as anxiety, tension and mood
swings after several menstrual cycles using Chaste Tree
extracts. Women's Multivite contains 50 mg per dose of this wonderful herb.
Cramp Bark or
Virburnum opulus,
has been used for hundreds of
years as a mild sedative and for relieving menstrual cramping. Studies
indicate that Cramp Bark has both uterine stimulating and uterine-relaxing
properties. This herb should not be used if you are pregnant.
Other herbs that help during the
non-menopausal years are Damiana, Dandelion Root and Dong Quai. Damiana is a
very popular herb and is reported to have positive effects on the female
hormonal system. Women's
Multivite contains all of the
above named herbs for increased benefit.
References:
American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, Committee on Gynecologic Practice., Premenstrual syndrome:
AGOG opinion; Inter. J. Of Gynecology and Obst., 50: 80-84; 1995. Thys-Jacobs,
S., Vitamin D and calcium in menstrual migraine; Headache, 10: 544-546;
1994.
Weiner
M. et al., Herbs that heal; Quantum
Books, Mill Valley, CA; 1994