If your menses are occurring sooner than 21 days it may be perimenopause or a more serious gynecological condition and you need to be evaluated by your health care provider. Menses occurring later than 45 days is more consistent with menopause or perimenopause. If physical symptoms predominate, especially hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats, and if they last throughout the month unrelated to menses think more about menopause. Remember menopause before the age of 40 is called premature menopause and is rare. However perimenopause can begin before age 40. Surgical removal of the ovaries is the most common cause of premature menopause. Hopefully you know if your ovaries have been removed, but you may not. Years ago doctors routinely removed ovaries in women undergoing a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). Now many gynecologists do not remove the ovaries.
Until you are firmly in menopause, that is, no periods for one year, you can still get pregnant. If you don't smoke, low dose oral contraceptives can be used right up to menopause. Hopefully your calendar will help you become more familiar with your symptoms. From here you can design a PMS / perimenopause / menopause treatment plan. Future articles in this series will address treatments, including the new prescription drugs SRI's, vitamin md mineral supplements, exercise, relaxation techniques, stress management, and nutrition.
THE FOLLOWING HERBS AND VITAMINS MAY BE USEFUL IN PMS PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE.
EVENING PRIMROSE (oenothera biennis)
Other Names: Primrose Oil
General Description:Common in North America where it can be seen growing along road sides. It's a biennial herb.
Parts Used: Leaves, stem, flowers and especially the seed oil.
Active Ingredients: (GLA) Gammalinolenic acid and Linoleic acid
Traditional Uses: Evening Primrose seeds were gathered by Native Americans for food.
Current Status: The seed oil is a good source of GLA, an essential fatty acid. An essential fatty acid is a nutrient that the body can't make but is essential to good health. Evening Primrose Oil has been used for premenstrual syndrome ( PMS ) and mastalgia ( sore breasts) Studies to date have been conflicting, some show a significant reduction in breast pain, while others fail to confirm this.
Precautions: No known contraindications or drug interactions reported.
FLAXSEED OIL (Linum usitatissimum)
Other Names: Linseed oil.
General Description: A perennial herb growing to 3 ft. with oily brown seeds, native to Europe and Asia.
Parts Used: Seeds and seed oil.
Active Ingredients: fatty acids, Palmitic, Steric, Oleic, Linoleic and Linolenic.
Traditional Uses: In the Middle East Flax has been cultivated for at least 7,000 years.
Current Status: Flax seed oil is a good source of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids must be taken in the diet as the body can not make them. Flax seed oil is rich in (GLA) gamma Linolenic acid used by many for PMS and breast tenderness.
Precautions: No reports of toxicity, when used at recommended doses.
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol)
Food Sources: Polyunsaturated vegetable oil, seeds and nuts.
Adult Female (RDA): 12 International Units (IV).
Types Available: In natural vitamin E the small d in d-alpha tocopherol signifies a natural source which is preferable to synthetic vitamin E signified by the dl in dl-alpha tocopherol. Mixed tocopherols contain d-alpha, beta, delta and gamma tocopherols. Mixed tocopherols offer the greatest benefit. Look for natural mixed tocopherols.
Beneficial Effects: Vitamin E is an antioxidant. Can it prevent hot flashes? There were studies done in the late 1940's showing it to relieve hot flashes and postmenopausal vaginal dryness. More recent studies are lacking. There are other benefits. We know from the Nurses Health Study that women who took vitamin E over a two-year period reduced their risk of fatal heart attacks by 40%. Vitamin E is also being studied for its effect on Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Combining vitamin E with other anti oxidants such as selenium, chromium, beta-carotene, and vitamin C may offer a synergistic effect. That means they work better together than separate. Dosage: 400-1200 IV a day.
Precautions: Vitamin E potentiate (cause a greater effect) of anticoagulant drugs such as Coumadin or aspirin. If you are on either of these drugs consult your doctor before starting vitamin E.