Pre-Menstrual Syndrome

Also known as:  PMDD;  PMS;  PMT;  Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder;  Pre-Menstrual Tension;  Premenstrual Syndrome

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome is a combination of ailments (i.e. a syndrome) that occurs during the time period prior to Menstruation.  Symptoms are usually absent during the week following Menstruation, but can appear at any time during the two weeks (most commonly during the last four days) preceding Menstruation, and then decline at the beginning or in the first days of the period.

 PMS affects 40% of all females between the ages of 14 and 50 (of this 40%, 10 to 12 % report severely debilitating symptoms that disrupt their lives).  ^[1]

Amino Acids

 Theanine (200 mg per day) may alleviate the symptoms of PMS.  ^[2]

 Tryptophan (6,000 mg per day) may improve Mood in PMS patients.  ^[3]

 Tyrosine may alleviate the Fatigue and Depression experienced by many PMS patients.  ^[4]

Hormones

 DHEA (Dehdroepiandrosterone) may alleviate many of the symptoms of PMS - women afflicted with PMS have an altered pattern of daily DHEA production.

 Melatonin may alleviate the symptoms of PMS.  ^[5]

 Supplemental Pregnenolone (30 mg per day) may prevent PMS symptoms in many women.  ^[6]

 Progesterone supplementation (e.g. natural Progesterone cream applied topically) may alleviate many of the symptoms of PMS and helps to prevent PMS (by counteracting ).  ^[7]

Lipids

 Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) may reverse PMS symptoms in some cases.  ^[8]

 Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) may alleviate PMS (many PMS patients have an impairment in their ability to convert Linoleic Acid to Gamma-Linolenic Acid).  ^[9]

 Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) may alleviate the symptoms of PMS (probably due to its ability to counteract the ability of Prolactin to induce the symptoms of PMS).  ^[10]

Minerals

 Calcium (1,200 mg per day) may alleviate many of the symptoms of PMS.  ^[11]

 Magnesium may alleviate the Irritability, Fatigue, Depression and Edema associated with PMS and PMS patients are generally found to be deficient in Magnesium.  ^[12]

 Zinc may be useful for the treatment of PMS.  ^[13]

Neurotransmitters

 Many PMS patients with symptoms of Anxiety and Depression have a defect in their synthesis or activity of Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA).  ^[14]

 Serotonin levels fall just prior to Menstruation and this reduction in Serotonin levels prior to Menstruation has been linked to PMS.  ^[15]

Prescribed Medications

 Synthetic Progestins are often prescribed to alleviate PMS.

Polyphenols

 Diosmin (1,000 mg per day) may be useful for the treatment of PMS.  ^[16]

Sulfuric Compounds

 Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is claimed to alleviate the Headaches associated with (the PMS-C form of) PMS (according to anecdotal reports. 

Vitamins

 Vitamin A (200,000 - 300,000 IU per day) may alleviate many of the symptoms of PMS.  ^[17]

 Vitamin B6 (up to 500 mg per day) may alleviate PMS.  ^[18]