Herbs and Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, Heavy Periods and No Periods
PMS, Heavy Periods and No Periods
Information on PMS, Heavy Periods and Amenorrhoea
Natural Herbal Remedies
The Problems of PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, also known as PMT – Pre-Menstrual Tension), Heavy Periods (Monorrhagia) and Problems of No Periods (Amenorrhoea)
Premenstrual Syndrome: PMS is a disorder characterized by a set of hormonal changes that trigger disruptive symptoms in a significant number of women for up to two weeks prior to menstruation. Of the estimated 40 million suffers, more than 5 million require medical treatment for marked mood and behavioral changes. Often symptoms tend to taper off with menstruation and women remain symptom-free until the two weeks or so prior to the next menstrual period. These regularly recurring symptoms from ovulation until menses typify PMS, premenstrual syndrome.
Characteristics
Over 150 symptoms have been attributed to PMS. After complaints of feeling “out-of-control”, anxious, depressed and having uncontrollable crying spells, the most common complaints are headache and fatigue. But symptoms may vary from month to month and there may even be symptom-free months. No women present with all the PMS symptoms. Characteristically symptoms may be both physical and emotional. They may include physical symptoms as headache, migraine, fluid retention, fatigue, constipation, painful joints, backache, abdominal cramping, heart palpitations and weight gain. Emotional and behavioral changes may include anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks, tension,lack of co-ordination, decreased work or social performance and altered libido.
Originally described in 1931 by an American neurologist, the grouping of symptoms has remained the same:
Aside from the regularity of symptoms seen prior to menstruation, there are certain elements which distinguish PMS from other disorders:
*PMS may often be triggered by hormonal changes. It tends to begin at puberty, after pregnancy, after starting birth control pills, after hormone related surgery as hysterectomy or tubal ligation or around the onset of the menopause. In fact, it is not unusual for the PMS sufferer to confuse her symptoms with those of an early menopause.
*Lifting of symptoms (including headache) with pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimester.
*Heredity appears to be a factor although specific symptoms may differ between sisters or mother and daughters.
*There is often an aura of increased activity prior to the worse symptoms of PMS or migraines. At this time, the woman may clean the house, function with little sleep, and feel euphoric. This is followed by the PMS symptoms, migraine, fatigue, exhaustion, depression and the inability to function. Women typically feel “out of control” at this time and this can cause the signs and symptoms of depression.
Causes of PMS
The exact cause of PMS, headaches and depression are unknown. In fact, it is not known why some women have severe symptoms, some have mild ones, while others have none. It is generally believed that PMS, migraine and depression stem from neurochemical changes within the brain. Hormonal factors, such as estrogen levels, had not been appreciated until recent studies.
The female hormone estrogen starts to rise after menstruation and peaks around mid-cycle (ovulation). It then rapidly drops only to slowly rise and then fall again in the time before menstruation. Estrogen hold fluid and with increasing estrogen comes fluid retention: many women report weight gains of five pounds premenstrually. Estrogen has a central neurologic effect: it can contribute to increase brain activity and even seizures. Estrogen can also contribute to retention of salt and a drop in blood sugar. PMS patients and migraineurs benefit from both salt and sugar restriction and a mild diuretic.
PMS and Postpartum Depression
A special form of PMS is the severe depression experienced after delivery. Most women experience a “let down” from the high hormone levels during pregnancy. Because of this, there is a normal amount of feeling “blue” immediately after childbirth. But the depth of depression experienced with postpartum depression is much deeper. These individuals cannot tolerate the hormonal disruption to their nervous system: their actions may harm themselves or their infants. That is why the treatment of PMS in the postpartum period is first to replace the missing hormones. If unsuccessful, then other hormonal preparations can be included as well.
PMS and Migraine Diet
Depending on the patient’s individual symptoms and their severity, the doctor may recommend how one may take an active role in the management of PMS and premenstrual migraine by following these guidelines:
*Eat six small meals at regular three-hour intervals, high in complex carbohydrates and low in simple sugars. This helps to maintain a stead blood glucose level and avoid energy highs and lows.
*Substantially reduce and eliminate use of caffeine, alcohol, salt, fats, and simple sugars to reduce bloating, fatigue, tension and depression.
*Daily supplemental vitamins and minerals may be administered to relieve some PMS symptoms. A multivitamin with B6(100 mcg), B complex, magnesium (300mg), Vitamin E (400 IU) and vitamin C (1000 mg) may be recommended to alleviate irritability, fluid retention, joint aches, breast tenderness, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking any medication for PMS.
*Exercise is helpful for PMS because it reduces stress and tension, acts as a mood elevator, provides a sense of well-being and improves blood circulation by increasing natural production of beta-endorphins. It is recommended, if your physician so advises, to exercise at least three times weekly for 20-30 minutes. Aerobics, walking, jogging, bicycling and swimming are a few of the suggested ways to exercise.
This tonic has specific herbs to improve the systems of PMS or PMT
Don’t suffer any longer with the pains and distress of period symptoms.
Herbal medicine uses natural herbal hormonal herbs to relieve the physical and psychological suffering of monthly menstruation.
Menorrhagia – Heavy Periods
Periods with abnormally heavy bleeding; more than the average flow and lasting longer.
Causes
There are some common causes: iron deficiency, shock, thyroid gland irregularity, ovarian insufficiency, prolapse, polys, fibroids, hormone imbalce, use of the intra uterine device (IUD).
Symptoms
Hands and feet get cold, face is pallid, hot and cold, poor appetite, neervousness, poor energy, pain in back and loins.
Treatment
There are specific herbs to help with this conditionthat can be effective very quickly. These include Beth root, American Cranesbil, Shepherd’s Purse, Agnes Castus. We will combine them for an unique herbal medicine for you.
No Periods – Amenorrhoea
This is the lack of periods during menstruation age. It can also mean very light and very short periods. Make sure you are not pregnant when no flow occurs during the time when you usually have a period. it can occur during severe stress, emotional upheaval, intercontinental travelling (common among air hostesses). Also can be due to polyps, fibroids, severe weight loss programmes, fasting.
Symptoms
Scanty, irregular or absent periods.
Can be distressing. Can increase emotional stress. Reduces fertility.
Treatment
There are herbs that can help to restore the normal menstrual cycle. Before treatment there must be clear evidence that you are not pregnant. Herbal treatment will also involve improving stress levels, sleep, digestion, hormonal balance, circulation, blood pressure.
Find out about herbal medicine for treatment of these conditions
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