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by Elizabeth Smith, M.D.
A True Help
for Premenstrual Syndrome
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United States and Canadian ranchers routinely give synthetic estrogen to their cattle. As a result of the estrogen, the cattle bloat and retain water. Thus, the estrogenized cattle meat is heavier and more tender. Also the
fat begins to build up in the animal and marble through the meat. The ranchers can get more money for their cattle because the meat weighs more and is more tender. The ranchers give estrogen to their cattle intentionally for the bloating fattening effect of estrogen.
However, when a woman comes down with these symptoms especially when the doctor gives her estrogen (in the form of hormone replacement therapy, HRT), the doctors "don't know why" she retains water and has fat build up around the hips. The doctors label this effect as Premenstrual Syndrome, PMS, or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, PMDD. The ranchers also give estrogen to cattle and farmers give
estrogen to chicken with the full knowledge that the estrogen will cause the animal to grow and mature faster. Now, Time magazine has cited the landmark study of 17,000 girls aged 8. 15% of these girls are going through early puberty and sprouting breast buds and pubic hair. The Time magazine cover story, October 30, 2000,
cites that some chemicals mimic estrogen and blames these chemicals for the early growth spurt of girls and early puberty.
Is it possible that Prementrual Syndrome is caused by too much estrogen in the form of chemicals (xenoestrogens) that mimic estrogen?
The hallmark of Premenstrual Syndrome is weight gain just before your period. This weight gain is caused by water retention. Another diagnostic sign is breast tenderness that varies with the menstrual cycle. For some, body temperature is depressed to about 97F because the excess estrogen
decreases the sensitivity of the thyroid receptor.
The ranchers intentionally give their cattle premenstrual syndrome by feeding or injecting them with estrogen. Is it possible that women are bloating just like the estrogenized cattle because of chemicals (xenoestrogens) that mimic estrogen?
Many researchers in the field now believe that these chemicals in our modern day life that mimic estrogen (xenoestrogens) are the cause of Premenstrual Syndrome.
Mainstream medicine readily acknowledges that excess estrogen causes endometrial (uterine) cancer and most breast cancers. The incidence of breast cancer in the 1950's was 1 out 20 women in the USA.
The incidence of breast cancer in 1988 was 1 out of 11 women in the USA. The incidence of breast cancer in 2001 was 1 out of 8 women in the USA. Could xenoestrogens play a contributary role in the increase in
incidence in these estrogen sensitive cancers? Many researchers suspect that these xenoestrogens are contributing to breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Researchers are now trying to find an environmental cause for a breast cancer cluster in Long Island, New York.
In general, estrogen and progesterone oppose each other. Estrogen tells the cells to multiply and proliferate. Estrogen slows down the body, and builds up fat (around the hips) in preparation for the pregnancy. Progesterone
maintains the pregnancy. It tells the cells to mature differentiate and NOT to multiply. It tells the body to use the fat. Under progesterone stimulation the fat is burned up and reduced.
The strategy to get rid of PMS is to get rid of the xenoestrogens in your life, AND take Natural Progesterone. These xenoestrogens mimic estrogen
and cause bloating and cyclical breast tenderness. Get rid of the chemicals that mimic estrogen and bloating and cyclical breast tenderness stops. These xenoestrogens are fat
soluble and are stored in the body fat. Sometimes it takes years to get rid of these chemicals out of the body fat. However, the elimination of these fat soluble xenoestrogens may
be speeded up by sauna and exercise that heats up the body so you sweat. Taking Natural Progesterone in the mean time will oppose estrogen and make you feel better reducing or eliminating the bloating and cyclical breast tenderness.
Natural
progesterone is NOT the same estrogen and progestin in
prescription birth control pills. Natural progesterone
is NOT the same as Provera or Megestrol. These
prescription hormones are chemically modified from the natural
hormones to be different in order to be patented, have a
monopoly, and then can be sold at a large profit. Any hormone or chemical found in nature cannot be patented by law. Since
these prescription chemically modified hormones are NOT
naturally found in nature or in the body, they have many
potentially dangerous side effects. In contrast, natural
progesterone is bioidentical to the hormone in your body, and
is compatible with the human body with a minimal amount of
side effects. Natural Proesterone is safe! Natural Progesterone
is even used to prevent 1st term miscarriage, and even may be used to
prevent premature births.
The mainstream approach to PMS is to give the patient Prozac or Celexa. The big
disadvantage with this approach is that it does not address the root cause of the problem. The root
cause of the problem is xenoestrogen exposure which may also cause breast cancer. Another big
disadvantage of Prozac (Sarafem) or Celexa is that these drugs destroy the sex drive. No sex drive is high
price to pay for taking Prozac or Celexa.
See a new website that describes the cause of PMS, PMDD otherwise known as Premenstrual Syndrome.
Caution: You
must make sure to avoid xenoestrogens. If you do NOT avoid xenoestrogens
and take natural progesterone, the PMDD may worsen. This is because the
natural progesterone resensitizes the estrogen receptors back to normal. Long term
chronic xenoestrogen exposure causes the estrogen receptors to be desensitized.
In 5-10% of women taking Natural
Progesterone by topical application, the women do not absorb
the progesterone well and oral Natural Progesterone may be
used. Also Natural Progesterone may not stop
the premenstrual syndrome from regressing because xenoestrogens are not eliminated from the
person's lifestyle, or the xenoestrogens are stored in the body fat.
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Get Rid
of PMS
Dr. Lee Treats
Premenstrual Syndrome Successfully
Dr. Lee further writes in his book:
"I've seen lists of PMS sypmtoms that include dozens of complaints, but the most common symptoms include several or all of the following: bloating, weight gain, headache, backaches, irritability,
depression, breast swelling or tenderness, loss of libido, and fatigue. Do these symptoms sound familiar? They are also the symptoms of estrogen dominanace.
But the full range of symptoms includes confusion and disorientation, intemperate judgements and decision-making, mood swings, body aches, anger and verbal abuse, lethargy alternating with increased energy, alienation, guilt
(at having abused friends), lack of self-esteem, and cravings for sweets, especially chocolate. Further, every system in the body can be affected: immune, digestive, circulatory, nervous, endocrine, and dermatologic (skin).
Victims of PMDD may experience any combination of the above and with all degrees of severity, from mild to overwhelming.
There are two important realities to understand about Prementrual Syndrome. They are:
1. Yes, it is real.
2. No, you are not crazy.
There is as yet no laboratory test for PMS. Diagnosis rests on the range and monthly timing of symptoms. Since the mechanisms to explain the symptoms are unknown, the malady is correctly called a syndrome - a
collection of recognizable signs and symptoms. To my mind, the hormone connection is most intriguing. It is obvoiusly linked with the monthly hormone cycle; it never occures prior to a year or so before menarche, and never after menopause (unless you're on HRT).
Treatment of PMDD has in the past included diuretics, tranquilizers, dietary changes, aerobic exercise, psychiatric counseling, thyroid supplemements, herbs, acupuncture, and vitamin and mineral supplements. While each may provide some relief, none has
proved to be a panacea.
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"I decided to add Natural Progesterone cream to my treatment of patients with Premenstrual Syndrome. The results were most impressive."
John Lee, M.D.
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More than a decade ago, after reading the work of Dr. Katherina Dalton in London, who defined Prementrual Syndrome and found success using high-dose progesterone administered as rectal suppositories,
I decided to add natural progesterone cream to my treatment of patients with PMS. The results were most impressive.
The majority (but not all) of these patients reported remarkable improvement in their symptoms, including the eslimination of their premenstrual water retention and weight gain.
I have received hundreds of phone calls and letters from women and their doctors over the past few years who report that PMS has been alleviated with the use of Natural Progesterone. Dr. Joel T. Hargrove of Vanderbuilt
University Medical Center and published results indicating a 90 percent success rate in treating Premenstrual Syndrome with oral doses of Natural Progesterone.
As described in previous chapters, estrogen is the dominant sex hormone during the first week after menstruation. With ovulation, progesterone levels rise to assume dominance during the two weeks preceding menstruation. Progesterone blocks many of
estrogen's potential side effects. A surplus of estrogen or a deficiency of progesterone during these two weeks allows an abnormal month long exposure to estrogen dominance, setting the stage for the symptoms of
estrogen side effects. If you want to test this for yourself, have your doctor measure your serum or saliva progesterone levels
days 18 to 25 of your cycle. Low progesterone levels undoubtedly affect hormone regulatory centers in the brain, resulting in increased production of hormones such as LH and FSH. These may
also play a role in the complex symptomatology of PMDD. However, for most women, simple correction of the progesterone deficiency will restore normal biofeedback and pituitary function."
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"Dr. Joel T. Hargrove of Vanderbuilt
University Medical Center and published results indicating a 90 percent success rate in treating Premenstrual Syndrome with oral doses of Natural Progesterone."
John Lee, M.D.
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From my women patients, I learned that
Premenstrual Syndrome, PMS, was most often a sign of estrogen dominance. I also recommend adding vitamin E in dosages of 600 IU
at bedtime, supplemental magnesium (300 milligrams a day), and vitamin B6 (50 milligrams per day)*. This treatment
is simple, safe, inexpensive, successful, and natural."
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*Whole grains also regulate hormonal levels due to
their high levels of vitamin B and vitamin E, which have a beneficial effect on both the liver and the ovaries.
In 1942, a researcher named Biskind found that B vitamin deficiency hindered the liver's ability to metabolize
estrogen levels in both animal and human test subjects. The addition of B vitamin supplementation to the diet of
women suffering from PMS, heavy menstrual bleeding, and fibrocystic breast disease helped to decrease the severity
of their symptoms. Studies conducted at UCLA Medical School during the 1980s found that taking a specific B vitamin,
pyridoxine B6, helped to relieve symptoms of menstrual cramps and PMS.
Research also conducted during the 1980s at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center similarly found, in several
placebo controlled studies, that vitamin E is useful in reducing many PMDD symptoms, as well as fibrocystic breast
discomfort. Other studies have found that vitamin E supplementation reduced menopause related hot flashes, fatigue,
and mood swings in 66 to 85 percent of the women tested, depending on the study. One additional study noted a decrease
in the symptoms of vaginal atrophy in 50 percent of the postmenopausal women volunteers.
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© 1999-2003 PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) Education, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced, translated, transmitted, framed or stored in a
retrieval system for public or private use without the written permission of the publisher.
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