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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. 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
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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed medical doctor. Natural Solutions - Holistic Beauty, Body & Bath (Bewellstaywell.com) does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have or suspect a mental or physical health condition, please see your healthcare provider.
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