Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

PMS An estimated 40% of all women of child-bearing age suffer from premenstrual symptoms. These include physical and psychological symptoms.

Like most complaints PMS also has several causes or aggravating factors: tiredness and tension, hormonal fluctuations, reduces endorphin production, food triggers and a lack of minerals and vitamins, an infection.

Some women experience an increase or occurrence of the following complaints before, during and after their period: diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal cramps, flatulence and bloated feeling, headache or migraine, muscle and joint pain, itchy skin, nose complaints, shortness of breath and asthmatic complaints, palpitations or blood pressure fluctuations, sleep disorders, sore throat, fluid retention and painful breasts and tiredness. Irritability, low self-esteem, depressive feelings and mood swings can sometimes become very bad.

My experience as a nutritionist tells me that women with PMS complaints are usually sensitive to biogenic amines. Contrary to the menstrual period these women often feel better during pregnancy. This can be explained by the neutralising mechanisms for the biogenic amines present in the bowels and the liver. These enzymes can increase during pregnancy, while they are less active during their period. Some women will find that their symptoms such as migraine or asthma are reduced or completely disappear during the pregnancy period. Therefore, finding out which food elements trigger this histamine release is a strong aid to reduce or eliminate menstrual problems.

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