Lifting the Curse of PMS

"It changed my life!" writes one woman in an Internet newsgroup. "I can't function without it," adds another. More than 30,000 websites mention the syndrome and a wide range of alternative methods to ease PMS symptoms. Almost all talk about evening primrose oil; it seems to be the most common choice of treatment for women around the world. There is some medical support for the anecdotal evidence. Recent research suggests that PMS is not caused by a hormonal imbalance, as was thought, but by a nutritional deficiency. Evening primrose oil, available in capsule form, contains large amounts of an essential fatty acid called gamma linolenic acid (GLA). It is this compound that may alleviate PMS symptoms.

An essential fatty acid is one that cannot be produced by the body and therefore must be supplied through an outside source -- food or nutritional supplements. Such fatty acids are responsible for forming prostaglandins -- vital chemicals that regulate heartbeat, blood pressure and other body processes. They also play a role in breaking up cholesterol deposits in the blood and in the transmission of nerve impulses from the brain.

"There isn't any scientific evidence that GLA works," says Dr. Edmond T.S. Li, a nutritionist at the University of Hong Kong. The results of tests conducted on GLA are "not considered proven or reproducible," he adds. The problem is a methodological one. There is no scientific way of testing for PMS, whether by blood test, urine analysis or x-ray. Researchers can only ask the subject what symptoms she has. Since PMS cannot be truly diagnosed, treatments for it cannot be proved effective either.

But empirical data show that women do indeed suffer from identifiable symptoms five to seven days prior to the onset of their periods. The medical community does suggest ways to reduce symptoms without resorting to drugs. The easiest steps to take are dietary. Just before their menses, women should cut down on refined sugars (in white bread and confections) and bulk up on complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables and fruit. They should limit their use of sodium, which causes hyperhydration (water retention). Only a few extra milliliters of water can cause bloating, headaches and tender breasts.

Maintaining muscle tone and posture is also important. Exercising regularly relieves stress and ensures that muscles -- especially in the pelvic region -- can provide the necessary support. Age, pregnancies and childbearing also affect muscle tone in this area. Scientists have reported that most women who suffer from severe PMS are over 30.

The efficacy of particular vitamins is unproved. But anecdotal evidence suggests that vitamins B-6 and A ease anxiety, cravings and hyperhydration. Vitamin E and magnesium apparently alleviate depression. Evening primrose oil and other health supplements can be ordered from suppliers on the Net and found in health food stores throughout the region. If evening primrose oil is unavailable, try linseed or flaxseed oil. They contain even greater concentrations of the key gamma linolenic acid than evening primrose oil. They just don't sound as soothing.

-- By Catherine Shepherd