PMT (Pre-Menstrual Tension or Periodic Marital Trouble)

At least 80% of women experience some form of PMT so it is not surprising that in the last twenty years, this is the concern that has brought more women to my clinics than any other.

PMT is profoundly misunderstood by a large proportion of males and as a consequence men sometimes react in inappropriate ways that do nothing to help the situation.

Female hormones are vital chemical messengers that have far ranging effects both physically and psychologically but because they are not produced in a fixed text book manner, women can suffer problems every month that make their lives very difficult.

Very broadly speaking Pre-Menstrual Tension may be categorised under the following headings:

1. Anxiety, Mood Swings.
2. Tiredness, Headaches.
3. Confusion, Diminished Recall.
4. Fluid Retention, Breast Tenderness.
5. Irritability, Out of character Decision Making.
6. Depression
7. Weight Gain

From my clinical experience PMT can be broken down into 4 Categories - A, C, H, and D.

Let's talk about PMT - A. There are 4 characteristics that predominate. They are:

1. Tension
2. Anxiety
3. Irritability
4. Mood Swings

This condition occurs when there is a heavy accent on Oestrogen over Progesterone and poor clearance of excess oestrogen through the Liver. It's easy to see that if the lady's liver is burdened by excess oestrogen then the metabolic rate can suffer and weight can only go one way - UP!

Consistent Magnified Oestrogen Levels can produce the following:

1. Anger and feelings of Alienation (Nobody loves me anymore).
2. Insomnia and Irritability.
3. Paranoia (Many men fail to understand this and so the relationship flounders).

It has been my clinical experience that PMT - A, the most common of the four syndromes, revolves around problems with the synthesis of adrenaline and dopamine at the expense of seretonin. In other words the woman's nervous system is being revved up to breaking point. It is little wonder that these people sometimes present in a fragile, sleep deprived state.

PMT - A is aggravated by stimulants such as; coffee, tea, cigarettes, recreational drug taking.

Take away foods with little or no fibre is a problem.

Any additional hormones that put an extra load on the liver present problems. There can be hormone residues in chicken, meat and fish. It's wise to make enquiries about the origin of food when you shop.

PMT - C is the second most common of the four syndromes. PMT - C has as its cornerstone flagging glucose metabolism. I often tell my patients that when thinking of this condition, C stands for Cake! The PMT - C person LOVES SUGAR!

Characteristics that predominate are:

1. Craving for sweets.
2. Headaches (Temporary over-production of Insulin).
3. Fatigue (Blood sugars fall).
4. Mental Disorientation.
5. Increased Appetite (Body trying desperately to restore Homeostasis).

Oestrogen has an affinity for Insulin and can increase its efficiency so any extra sugar in the diet can exacerbate the seesawing effect of disordered glucose metabolism. Eventually this can lead to what is known as 'Insulin Resistance' - a Major Contributor to WEIGHT GAIN!

A great way to fight against PMT - C is to include adequate protein in your breakfast, ie., Chicken, Fish or Meat. The quantity should be about as big as the palm of your hand. If you do this your blood sugars should remain more stable throughout the day.

PMT - H can perhaps be the most uncomfortable for women as it relates to Fluid Retention.

The symptoms that predominate are:

1. Fluid Retention.
2. Breast Tenderness and Enlargement.
3. Swelling (Particularly Abdominal).
4. Weight Gain.

One often finds a high level of Stress in the lives of the PMT - H sufferer!

If you suffer from PMT - H you should look at the stress in your life and take steps to reduce it.

You must also watch salt intake, as this can adversely effect what is known as the Sodium / Potassium Pump in your Kidneys and magnify the problem.

PMT - D is in my experience the most debilitating of the four syndromes because it precipitates DEPRESSION.

Characteristics that predominate are:

1. Depression.
2. Cotton wool type feeling in the brain.
3. Confusion.
4. Insomnia.
5. Forgetfulness.
6. Constipation.
7. Headaches.

While the other three syndromes A, C, and H are principally oestrogen dominant conditions, PMT - D is classically Progesterone Dominant.

I have found that PMT - D is married to Inflammatory Pathways particularly Prostaglandin 2 that spawns an increase in pain sensitivity so we have:

1. Cyclical Back Pain.
2. Migraine.
3. Muscle Tension.
4. Exacerbation of Arthritic Symptoms.
5. Adult Acne with Poor Bowel Habit.

I believe that Depression is often Stress Related Inflammation and PMT - D is a particular form of that.

I have also found that Allergy has its grubby fingers stuck deep into PMT - D so it's not surprising to see it linked on many occasions with PMT - C. In some patients allergy can disrupt serotonin metabolism and straight away the scene is set for insomnia.

It is easy to see from the foregoing that PMT is a complex problem and every woman has her own individual set of problems that require an individual approach! BECAUSE I AM ALSO A HERBALIST AS WELL AS A NATUROPATH, I HAVE BEEN MIXING INDIVIDUAL COMBINATIONS FOR WOMEN FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS!

Stephen Zemek ND BN

To make an appointment at either my Brisbane or Sunshine Coast Clinic, please telephone 0428 789 103.

Return to Articles of Interest