An SOS About PMS

Pre-turbed

Q: Each month, just before my period, I have three days of absolute craving for sweet food and have been diagnosed by my doctor as having PMS (premenstrual syndrome). He told me to eat a piece of fruit, but it never works.

This past cycle I ate six apples, three bananas, a bunch of grapes, and two boxes of raisins. However, I was not satisfied and could not sleep until I ate some ice cream, a dozen cookies, and several donuts. I cannot take this any longer. I actually fear for my health and life. Please help. There must be a better way.

S.B.
Lockport, NY

A: You are not alone. From 50 to 90 percent of women have symptoms of PMS at some time during their lives. Symptoms begin from several days to two weeks prior to menstruation and resolve abruptly with the beginning of menstrual flow.

Different symptoms affect different women. They include both physical symptoms such as bloating , breast tenderness, and headaches and emotional or mood symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating and, as in your case, food cravings.

Researchers have yet to find one exact hormonal, nutritional, or organic cause for this disorder, making treatment and cure elusive. Current research is focussing on changes in the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters.

Lay and professional literature is replete with a variety of unsuccessful treatments. Vitamin supplementation, magnesium pills, evening primrose oil, progesterone tablets, and suppositories have performed no better than placebos. At the present, there is no tried-and-true solution or medically proven cure.

However, better control of the symptoms is possible. Good news for active women is that researchers have found that women who get regular aerobic exercise have fewer symptoms of PMS.

What can you do to alleviate the symptoms of PMS?

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About the authors: Carol L. Otis, M.D., is Chief Medical Advisor to the Sanex WTA and a UCLA student health physician. Roger Goldingay is a former professional soccer player. They are married and the co-authors of The Athletic Woman's Survival Guide.

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Comments by Barb Harris
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