Premenstrual Syndrome

Once thought to be merely psychological, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) gained due recognition as a physical syndrome when British gynecologist Katharina Dalton found that nearly half the women admitted to hospital for accidents or psychological illnesses were in their premenstrual week.

PMS is now thought to effect from 25 to 90 percent of all women, depending on how it is defined.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) presents itself as a group of uncomfortable symptoms, usually setting in approximately 7 to 10 days prior to a woman's period. Lists of symptoms include:

Headaches

Abdominal bloating

Breast swelling

Fluid retention

Increased thirst

Increased appetite

Cravings for sweet or salty foods

Emotional symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, hostility, crying and loss of self confidence.

This condition is believed to begin for women in their 30's when production of hormones tends to slow down, however PMS is now also becoming an issue for many in their teens due to stress, poor diet and lack of exercise.

PMS is due to a hormonal imbalance of progesterone and oestrogen hormones. Without enough progesterone, estrogen gets too high and an excess of estrogen can produce salt and fluid retention, low blood sugar, blood clotting, breast tenderness, thyroid problems and weight gain. These physical imbalances produce mood swings and other psychological effects associated with PMS.

At Back In Health Centres our Chiropractors and Naturopaths work together to help alleviate the symptoms of PMS. To put your life back a more even keel, call your nearest Back In Health Centre.

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