Battling PMS
Words by Katherine C. Eustaquio
Published in Total Fitness Magazine 2010 issue
Once a month, women do go berserk. No, it’s not during the monthly sale at the malls. Rather, it’s when you’re about to get your period. We all know what Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is, right? For us women, it’s hard to ignore PMS; not with all that gut-wrenching pain in our abdomen, bloating, breast tenderness, irritability, food cravings, and so much more. But what exactly causes it?
Statistics from the National Institute for Health in the US reveal that almost 75% of women in America suffer from two or more PMS symptoms and 10% of which categorize their condition as “severe.”
Despite the alarming statistics and thousands of war cries from women suffering from PMS, the condition has yet to be taken seriously by the medical community since its actual cause remains elusive due to its long list of symptoms. However, several theories suggest that the irregular levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are created during the menstrual cycle, are the main causes of PMS symptoms as they directly affect the following neurotransmitters:
Other Causes:
The Best Remedies for PMS…So Far
While the cause and cure of PMS have yet to be discovered, the best we can do is to work the nerve-wracking symptoms. Here are a few tried and tested suggestions:
Interesting Trivia: In ancient times, menstruating women were referred as “the moons.” The modern term menstruation comes the from the ancient word “manse” which means “moon” in Greek. Ancient people believed that menstruating women can turn wine tart, damage bronze and iron, and spoil crops. During the Middle Ages, menstruation was believed to be the physical manifestation of women’s weakness and impiety that forbade them to take communion.
Published in Total Fitness Magazine 2010 issue
Statistics from the National Institute for Health in the US reveal that almost 75% of women in America suffer from two or more PMS symptoms and 10% of which categorize their condition as “severe.”
Despite the alarming statistics and thousands of war cries from women suffering from PMS, the condition has yet to be taken seriously by the medical community since its actual cause remains elusive due to its long list of symptoms. However, several theories suggest that the irregular levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are created during the menstrual cycle, are the main causes of PMS symptoms as they directly affect the following neurotransmitters:
- Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) - Often called the “peacemaker”, this brain chemical fight anxiety and stress. A 2002 study revealed that menstruating women with low GABA levels suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), the severe level of PMS.
- Serotonin – An important brain chemical that affects sleep, carbohydrate cravings, depression, and most of the symptoms associated with PMS. Several studies claim that women with PMDD and PMS have fluctuating levels of serotonin which can lead to an irregular ovulation.
- Dopamine and Adrenaline – These hormones affect heart rate and blood pressure and also generate the production of cortisol, the primary hormone that enables the body to act in response to a stressful event. In one study, women who had PMS-induced depression revealed high cortisol levels during menstruation and lower levels during the premenstrual stage.
Other Causes:
- Calcium and Magnesium – Regulated by estrogen, these minerals play important roles in cell communication and the widening of blood vessels that are related to the menstrual cramps. Several studies also show that women with PMS suffer from calcium deficiency.
- Prolactin and Thyroid Hormones– Breast pain could be caused by the high levels of the pituitary hormone prolactin, whose levels shoot up during lactation but stress triggers lymphocytes to produce them as well, thus breast tenderness, weight gain, and adnominal pains. Several studies conclude that the varying levels of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are linked to PMS symptoms because these affect one’s physical and emotional state.
The Best Remedies for PMS…So Far
While the cause and cure of PMS have yet to be discovered, the best we can do is to work the nerve-wracking symptoms. Here are a few tried and tested suggestions:
- Load up on fruits, whole grains, nuts, and greens. Spinach and broccoli are rich in magnesium that can ease menstrual cramps.
- Limit your intake of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine to avoid stomach acidity.
- Veer away from sweets and fats but do indulge in chocolates. They are rich in phenylethylamine that increases the production of serotonin.
- Vitamin B-6 helps control your mood and stabilize PMS-related emotional swings. Beef liver, fatty fish, and nuts are rich in Vitamin B-6.
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and essential oils can also be used to ease cramps.
Interesting Trivia: In ancient times, menstruating women were referred as “the moons.” The modern term menstruation comes the from the ancient word “manse” which means “moon” in Greek. Ancient people believed that menstruating women can turn wine tart, damage bronze and iron, and spoil crops. During the Middle Ages, menstruation was believed to be the physical manifestation of women’s weakness and impiety that forbade them to take communion.
