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Pre-menopause PMS
I am 41 years old and for the past two years I've been having my period every two months. I suffer from premenstrual symptoms about three weeks after my period and the symptoms continue until my next period, which is five weeks in total. The symptoms include exhaustion, constant hunger and bloating. I have had hormonal tests and a scan but they cannot find any problems.
It is possible that the irregular periods are due to an approaching menopause. The symptoms can start five years or more before your periods finally stop. Try to cut back on your intake of sugar, salt, caffeine, alcohol, processed foods and artificial additives. Eat more fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and fish (which supplies building blocks for sex hormones).
Evening primrose oil is helpful, but must be taken in high doses of 3g daily for at least 3 months before its effect can be assessed. The herb agnus helps to regulate the menstrual cycle by tending to shorten a long cycle and lengthen a short one. A trial of 170 women published in the British Medical Journal also found that agnus castus significantly reduced irritability, mood changes, anger, headache and breast fullness. Overall, there was a greater than 50 per cent improvement in symptoms. Other studies have found it was effective in relieving psychological changes such as increased appetite, sweet cravings, nervousness/restlessness, anxiety, depression, mood swings and lack of concentration in as many as 90 per cent of cases. It can take a month or more for symptoms to start improving, however, and as long as 6 months to achieve the full effect.
The mineral magnesium helps to reduce symptoms in two out of three women. Food sources of magnesium include fish, nuts, seeds, soybeans, wholegrains and dark green, leafy vegetables or actual magnesium supplement.
Another clinical trial involving 32 women with PMS found that a supplement known as Femal, containing pollen and pistil extracts, significantly reduced tension, irritability, bloating and weight gain. Premenstrual weight gain, which is one of the most upsetting symptoms for many women, was reduced by 50 per cent among those women taking the supplement.
Evening primrose oil is helpful, but must be taken in high doses of 3g daily for at least 3 months before its effect can be assessed. The herb agnus helps to regulate the menstrual cycle by tending to shorten a long cycle and lengthen a short one. A trial of 170 women published in the British Medical Journal also found that agnus castus significantly reduced irritability, mood changes, anger, headache and breast fullness. Overall, there was a greater than 50 per cent improvement in symptoms. Other studies have found it was effective in relieving psychological changes such as increased appetite, sweet cravings, nervousness/restlessness, anxiety, depression, mood swings and lack of concentration in as many as 90 per cent of cases. It can take a month or more for symptoms to start improving, however, and as long as 6 months to achieve the full effect.
The mineral magnesium helps to reduce symptoms in two out of three women. Food sources of magnesium include fish, nuts, seeds, soybeans, wholegrains and dark green, leafy vegetables or actual magnesium supplement.
Another clinical trial involving 32 women with PMS found that a supplement known as Femal, containing pollen and pistil extracts, significantly reduced tension, irritability, bloating and weight gain. Premenstrual weight gain, which is one of the most upsetting symptoms for many women, was reduced by 50 per cent among those women taking the supplement.
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iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB