Herbal Treatments for PMS

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS is a collection of psychological and physical symptoms that occur
prior to the beginning of a menstrual period. The severity of symptoms
may vary from month to month. Symptoms may begin up to two weeks
before a period begins and usually subside at the onset of menstruation.

Causes of Premenstrual Syndrome

PMS may result from the fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone levels
that occur before a woman's period.

Progesterone may also be broken down differently by different women.
When progesterone is broken down, it can produce two different
compounds that effect mood in different ways. One possible product
increases anxiety and the other decreases anxiety. For women with PMS,
it may be that the compound that increases anxiety is produces more
often than the compound that reduces anxiety.

Symptoms Associated with Premenstrual Syndrome

Psychological Symptoms
Agitation
Confusion
Craving certain foods and changes in appetite
Crying
Depression
Emotional sensitivity
Inability of concentrate
Irritability
Memory loss
Mood swings
Nervousness
Short tempered

Physical Symptoms
Bloating
Breast pain
Constipation
Cramps
Dizziness
Fainting
Fatigue
Headaches
Hot flashes
Insomnia
Joint pain
Heart palpitations
Muscle pain
Nausea
Sore back
Tingling sensations in hands and feet
Vomiting
Weight gain from retention of water

Herbal Treatments for PMS

Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.)

Scientific Evidence from Clinical Trials

A randomized double-blind placebo controlled study involving 178 women
for three menstrual cycles found that the group taking chaste tree
experienced greater decreases in irritability, anger, mood alteration,
breast fullness, and headaches over those from the placebo group
(Schellenberg 2001).

An open-label trial of 50 women taking an extract of chaste tree daily over
the course of eight menstrual cycles was evaluated using the validated
Moos' menstrual distress questionnaire. The results demonstrated that
PMS symptoms were greatly reduced (Berger et al. 2000).

In an uncontrolled observational study based on the assessment of
patients and physicians, 1542 women diagnosed with PMS took 40 drops
of a chaste tree tincture each day. 33% of patients reported complete
relief of PMS symptoms and 57% reported improvements. The physicians
concluded that improvements in symptoms resulting from taking chaste
tree were very good in 71% of the women and satisfactory in 21%
(Dittmar 1992).

A study of 36 women with PMS found a generalized improvement in
psychological and physical symptoms when given 40 drops of a chaste
tree tincture each day for three months (Coeugniet et al. 1986).

References

Berger, D., W. Schaffner, E. Schrader, B. Meier, A. Brattstrom. 2000.
"Efficiency of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with
pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)." Arch Gynecol Obstet. 264(3):150-53.

Coeugniet, E., E. Elek, R. Kuhnast. 1986. "Premenstrual syndrome (PNS)
and it treatment." Arztezitchr Naturheilverf. 27(9):619-22.

Dittmar, F., K. Bohnert, M. Peeters. 1992. "Premenstrual syndrome:
Treatment with a psytopharmaceutical." Therapiewoche Gynakol.
5(1)60-68.

Schellenberg, R. 2001. "Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with
agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomized, placebo controlled
study." Bmj. 322(7379):134-37.