What causes premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

Many women come to our practice and why is this happening to me, what causes PMS? Often, in complete frustration and total confusion. Understandably so, why should we feel this way? Why do we have to put up with this? It has been my experience that two key factors play a role in what is causes PMS; genetics and lifestyle!

For some women it seems they have inherited a brain that is just wired to be more
sensitive to hormones; especially fluctuations or changes in their hormones. I call this ‘The PMS Brain’. It is natural for us to have a pattern of hormone activity that corresponds with our menstrual cycle; there are times for lower levels and times for higher levels. The hormones need to be in the right proportions for us to feel our best thru these stages of our cycle. These same hormones have a powerful influence on the feel good chemicals of the brain, called neurotransmitters.

Our hormones like Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone need to be in the right proportion to help the ideal activity of Seratonin and Gaba chemicals in the brain, in particular. Insulin is also a hormone, which has to be in check along with the stress hormones as well!

The hormones and the neurotransmitters have to work together in this orchestra of events to support our mood. Then there is the big bad four; Sugar, Caffeine, Alcohol and Stress- which all exaggerate symptoms of hormone imbalance at any age in a PMS brain!

When we don’t eat healthy or regularly thru the day, unstable blood sugar greatly affects how we feel in so many ways. The stress response quadruples that even more! Many individuals rely on excess caffeine as a stimulant to perform thru the day, then alcohol to unwind at night- just to pay the next day with our mood.

This lack of self-care and the short cuts to get thru the day, pushes hormone patterns to be out of sync. If we forget to prioritize exercise to channel all these tensions building and blood sugar issues, and then have further stress with pressures at work and home life, we get the ‘perfect storm’ for PMS!

Don’t be ashamed, this does not have to define you! There are ways to promote balance with how you live and options to support your system with key nutrients and
botanical support. Learn more at womentwomen.com and our Hormone Imbalance
program and coming soon- our exclusive PMS program!

Millions of women suffer from premenstrual syndrome, including breast tenderness, cramping, and backache. While there is no known cause or cure for PMS, researchers believe that normal cyclical changes in a woman’s hormones may interact with neurotransmitters, including serotonin. This may result in the mood swings, pain, and other physical symptoms of PMS.

Although there is a wide spectrum of symptoms, common hormonal patterns are found among PMS patients compared to women who have no symptoms of PMS. The primary finding is that estrogen levels are elevated and plasma progesterone levels are reduced five to ten days before the menses. In addition to this, hormonal abnormality, hypothyroidism, and/or elevated prolactin levels are common.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and the more severe form, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), are linked to the normal changes in the endocrine system, which produces hormones that control the menstrual cycle. Because the female endocrine system is so complex, medical experts don't fully understand the chain of events that causes PMS in some women and not others.

The one direct cause that is known to affect some women is genetic —many women with PMS have a close family member with a history of PMS.

Just as your combination of PMS symptoms is slightly different from another woman's, so is the mix of factors underlying your symptoms. Changes in the endocrine system that cause PMS symptoms can include:

• Increased aldosterone (a hormone from the adrenal gland). This is normal after ovulation. Aldosterone causes fluid retention, weight gain, breast swelling and headaches in some women but not others.
• Too much prolactin (a hormone from the pituitary gland ), which can interfere with ovulation and cause irregular cycles and breast tenderness.
• The brain's underuse of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is known to cause anxiety and depression. Women who have PMS mood problems might be sensitive to normal premenstrual changes in estrogen and progesterone (from the ovaries). This sensitivity may trigger a problem with the brain's use of serotonin.
• Decreased endorphins (hormones from the pituitary gland), which may increase pain and depression in some women.
• Prostaglandins (chemicals made by all body cells), which are linked to breast pain, fluid retention, cramping, headaches, irritability and depression.
• Sensitivity to insulin, which is thought to be common during the premenstrual time following ovulation. This sensitivity can lead to episodes of low blood sugar, which may trigger premenstrual symptoms.