PMS
Article by Angela Haldane
Q. I need help with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). I suffer extreme fatigue usually for about 2 – 3 days about 2 weeks before I get my period. I'm taking Executive B, Fish Oil and Evening Primrose Oil for breast tenderness. I also feel extremely hot or flushed, but can feel cold in the extremities at the same time. Other symptoms are an extreme sensitivity to sound, slightly hypoglycemic, slight migraine, metallic taste in my mouth and dizziness. I have taken 20mg of Prozac daily for a year which has helped tremendously with my mood.
A. Eat regular protein foods – can of salmon at lunchtime, boiled eggs etc, hummus and crackers to balance sugar levels,and steady your energy levels. This can also offset headaches (migraine?) and dizziness.
Herbal medicine would be great to also help with energy levels – see your registered medical herbalist. The Executive B is a good idea, the dose is 2 per day. Or get a Multi B which has 50-100mg of each of the B vitamins, B6 especially plays a big role in PMS.
Breast tenderness is better with Vitamin E 500iu – as long as you are not on blood thinners. Vit E also helps to moderate oestrogen and therefore help hot flushes, and promotes peripheral circulation. Then you can use ginger and chilli to add warmth.
The metallic taste in your mouth can be a sign of zinc deficiency, do you have white spots on your nails or experience slow healing wounds? Zinc deficiency is also implicated in depression.
Regular exercise reduces PMS according to studies.