PMS

Question 1

What is PMDD?

Answer 1

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder affecting 1-10% of women that includes at least 1 affective symptom during the second 1/2 of the menstrual cycle

Question 2

Name some overlapping symptoms which are often exasperated during PMS

Answer 2

hypothyroidism
CFS
depression
anxiety

Question 3

How many symptoms are associated with PMS? What 2 forms do they come in?

Answer 3

over 150

Physical and non-physical

Question 4

What are the PMS subtypes?

Answer 4

PMS A - anxiety
PMS C - craving
PMS-D -depression
PMS H - Hyperhydration

Question 5

What is PMS A?

Answer 5

PMS anxiety associated with high O:P - irritabilty and anxiety

Question 6

Define PMS C

Answer 6

Craving - blood glucose imbalance, hypoglycaemia, low Mg, increased appetite, sugar cravings

Question 7

Define PMS D

Answer 7

depression - low oestrogen:progesterone ratio and neurotransmitter imbalance

Question 8

Define PMS H

Answer 8

Hyperhydration - increased water retention secondary to increased aldosterone -= excess salt, oestrogen or stress or Mg deficinecy - weight gain, breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, swelling in extremities

Question 9

What is the cause/risk factors of PMS?

Answer 9

Interations between oestogen, progesterone and neurotransmitters
Reduced cortisol awakening response - CAR
Smoking
Obesity
Alcohol
High dairy/sugar
High omega6:3 ratio

Question 10

What would be a naturopathic approach to PMS?

Answer 10

Optimise phase 1 and 2 detoxification, metabolism and elimination
Hydration
Minimise xenoestrogens
Address chronic stress
Restore nutritional deficinecies
Balance blood glucose levels
Reduce inflammation

Question 11

How can the oesttogen:progesterone ratio be balance?

Answer 11

Support oestrogen detoxification/elimination
Increase phytoestrogens - red clover tea
low saturated fat diet - reduced oestogen circulation
remove endocrine disruptors
Herbal medicines - Agnus castus
Increase Fibre, Mg, B vitamins

Question 12

How would you go about balancing neurotransmitters in the case of PMS?

Answer 12

L-Tryptophan or 5-HTP
Tyrosine
B6
B12
Folate
Zn
Mg
L-theanine
Remove alcohol and caffeine
optimise sleep
exercise

Question 13

How would you reduce water retention in PMS?

Answer 13

Reduce sodium and increase potassium-rich foods
Vitamin B6 - regulates aldosterone
Seed cycling
Diuretics

Question 14

Name some herbal medicines that would benefit PMS

Answer 14

Rosemary - downregulates CYP3A4 and induces CYP1A1
Ashwagandha - adaptogen, nervine, thyrid support
Ginger - improves blood circulation
Chamomile
Passionflower
Green tea
Peppermint
St Johns Wort