Is it your Time of the Month? Let's talk PMS.

Treating Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) with naturopathic medicine involves a holistic approach that aims to address the underlying causes of symptoms and promote enhanced quality of life. 

First, what is PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome? It is The cyclic occurrence of symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, mood lability, or depression that are sufficiently severe enough to interfere with some aspects of life. It has a consistent and predictable relationship to the menses ( menstrual period). Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a severe form of PMS that follows a predictable cyclic pattern. Symptoms may begin in the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle ( after ovulation ~ day 14) and end shortly after menstruation ( Day 1). It is always a bit more complicated that simple put above but that gives you a little bit of an idea. 

The Principles of Naturopathic management would include an 

• Assess symptom picture and history taking

• Ruling out other causes/ red flags or associated problems through diagnostic assessment

• Determine aggravating factors and assess the terrain  

• Restoring the body’s ability to achieve homeostasis

  
  

Addressing a holistic approach would include some of the following strategies:

Dietary Changes

• Hydration: Encouraging adequate water, micro and macro electrolytes intake to alleviate bloating and support overall health.

• Balanced Nutrition: Emphasizing whole foods, including lean protein, adequate carbohydrate, fiber, and healthy fats.  Reducing processed foods, sugar, alcohol and caffeine can help minimize severity of symptoms 

• Targeted Nutrients/ Supplements: Incorporating supplementation with nutrients like magnesium, calcium, cod liver oil, and vitamin B6 can help correct deficiencies faster and result in resolution of symptoms while correcting the dysfunctional pathways contributing to the symptoms. Other key nutrients include zinc, L-tryptophan and bioflavonoids. 

  
  

Herbal Medicine

Some old school naturopaths refer to botanicals and the fairies in the naturopathic garden. Herbs or botanicals are plants that carry medicinal properties. It is usually not made up of one constituent but of many that provide a variety of beneficial actions on the body. When used in the context for treating and managing symptoms of (PMS) and PMDD. It has been known to be beneficial for alleviating the physical and emotional associated symptoms. Commonly used herbs include: 

• Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus): Commonly used to modulate hormones and alleviate mood swings.

• St. John’s Wort: Can be effective for mood-related symptoms, but should be used with caution and under professional guidance.

• Saffron is known as a common spice and used for colouring medicinally; there have been studies comparing its efficacy to that of fluoxetine and SSRI used to treat anxiety in PMS individuals. (Rajabi et al 2020).

•  Other botanicals used are: Ashwagandha, Black cohosh, Kava, ginger, Maca, turmeric, Red clover, Boswellia and sage.

Lifestyle Modifications: 

• Sleep Hygiene: Prioritizing quality sleep is crucial, as poor sleep can worsen symptoms.

• Stress Management: Techniques such as yoga, meditation, journaling and deep-breathing exercises can help manage stress levels, which can exacerbate PMS and PMDD symptoms.

• Exercise/ movement: Regular physical activity can help reduce symptoms by releasing endorphins and improving mood. It can also help alleviate liver qi stagnation which from a traditional Chinese medicine aspect is involved in PMS/ PMDD. 

  
  

Homeopathy

• Homeopathic remedies tailored to the individual's symptoms, help to address emotional and physical imbalances while allowing for an energetic shift to foster healing. 

  
  

Acupuncture

• Acupuncture can help alleviate symptoms via neuromodulation and its analgesic effect all resulting in stress reduction. It is a great adjunctive treatment to relieve symptoms. 

Lab Investigations

Including Lab investigations in your treatment can help assess nutritional status/ anemias, screen for cardiovascular health, kidney and liver health along with baseline hormone levels may be useful to gauge intensity of treatment plan and provide objective measures when re-assessing concerns. Some common labs may include: FSH, day 3 estradiol, Complete blood count (CBC), ferritin, iron status, TSH, Free T4, eGFR, lipid panel, liver panel and Vitamin D status to name a few. 

Conclusion

Naturopathic medicine offers a comprehensive approach to managing PMS and PMDD by focusing on the individual as a whole. Collaborating with Dr. Arielle Leader can help tailor a treatment plan that suits  your specific needs, leading to more effective symptom management and improved quality of life.

Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or supplement regimen.

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Did You Know?

Did you know that? Reproductive hormone release patterns have been studied in women with PMS and PMDD and the majority of women’s hormone release patterns are normal. However, there is a heightened sensitivity to cyclical variations in reproductive hormones. Research suggests that PMS and PMDD may be linked to normal hormone levels and abnormal interactions between your hormones and the central nervous system.  Basically……. There is NO Estrogen dominance. It is the sensitivity of the receptors that can be the issue, not the amount of hormones. What are receptors made of proteins? Proteins are sensitive to their environment. Yes it the more complex the protein structure the more stability but that complex structure’s integrity is kept and dictated via help from the mitochondria. Extended stress on the mitochondria can lead to inflammation which in turn can promote heightened sensitivity of cellular receptors.