Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is by far the single most common complaint of premenopausal women. Current estimates are that severe PMS occurs in 2.5 to 5 percent of women, and mild PMS occurs in 33 percent of women.
The most common symptoms of PMS are bloating/water retention resulting weight gain, breast tenderness, headaches, cramps, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and anxiety. In women with severe PMS, irritability and mood swings can become outbursts of anger and rage. By definition PMS symptoms occur in the two weeks before menstruation and sometimes for a few days into menstruation.
Progesterone can help alleviate PMS symptoms
PMS almost always involves stress which in turn blocks progesterone from entering the cells. Accordingly to Dr John Lee, extra progesterone is necessary to overcome the impact of stress and increase the absorption of progesterone.
Progesterone Deficient (estrogen dominance) and PMS
During PMS, Progesterone deficiency (estrogen dominance) is much more likely since many of the symptoms correlate with estrogen dominance symptoms, most notably water retention, breast swelling, headaches, mood swings, loss of libido, and poor sleep patterns.
Dr. Raymond Green and Dr. Katharina Dalton advanced a theory in the 1950s that PMS was caused by unopposed estrogen during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Dr. Dalton reports that she has used natural progesterone, vaginal and rectal suppositories (400-1,600 mg daily) with results as good as complete relief of PMS symptoms in 83 percent of women. Dr Tori Hudson, a naturopathic physician and national lecturer, recommends using transdermal progesterone that is applied to the skin.
Great Earth Pharmacy is proud to team up with doctors who specialize in treating patient’s PMS symptoms with compounded progesterone creams and progesterone capsules. If you are interested in learning if Progesterone is right for you or wanting to learn if you have a progesterone deficiency please call us at 310-550-1822 or visit our website.