PMS Guide |

The hypothalamus in the brain masterminds the menstrual cycle. It is the hypothalamus that stimulates the secretion of the Releasing Factor, now believed to be gonadotropin, GnRH, which turn triggers the release of the brain hormones FSH and LH from the pituitary, and the cycle thereby is set in motion. However, any form of stress can affect the sensitive hypothalamus.

Considering that the brain signals that regulate hormonal fluctuations are susceptible to stress factors at the start, and that PMS springs from the resulting hormonal fluctuations, without a doubt stress aggravates the syndrome. Stress inhibits the release of hormones and an inadequate supply of hormones can lead to the kind of hormonal imbalance that worsens PMS symptoms.

A woman’s hormonal levels may switch from normal to slightly askew to severely imbalanced if she thrust into particularly stress-provoking situations, or if her personal environment is stressful. Women who suffer with PMS are often under constant pressure at work, or having family problems, or they are facing major life changes such as separation, a move, divorce, and sometimes death of a loved one.

It is important for a woman to try to understand her symptoms, destress herself, and begin a recovery. She must attempt to change the stress-provoking elements in her life in order to unblock the brain hormones that are preventing her ovaries from producing the needed estrogen and progesterone. Some women might benefit from vitamin supplements, which have been known to work as calming agents. Patients have been helped by vitamin E, 800 to 1,000 units a day; vitamin D, 400 units a day; calcium 2 to 3 grams a day; vitamin B-complex with extra vitamin B₆, 300 to 800 milligrams a day; and possibly zinc, 50 milligrams a day, and vitamin C, 1,000 milligrams a day.

By taking extra vitamins and enrolling in exercise relaxation programs such as stretching or yoga classes, a woman may transform the way her body feels and reverse the course of her PMS.