AUTUMN NEWSLETTER 1999



PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS) & CHINESE MEDICINE

I have chosen the subject of PMS because this is a complaint I treat so frequently. I hope in this newsletter to give you enough information that you can help yourselves and others you know with this complaint.

PMS is a widespread problem in the Western world but is actually quite uncommon in more primitive societies. This suggests that diet and lifestyle play a large part in the problem.

The condition affects one in three menstruating women and the often ill-defined symptoms can be severely debilitating. Treatment of these problems using nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes can produce excellent results. The use of Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbs has also been seen to be beneficial.

PMS symptoms vary but can include mood swings, irritability, nervous tension, clumsiness, depression, headaches, pain, chocolate cravings, water retention and weight gain. Finding a hormonal cause for such a variety of symptoms has been the target of many scientists who have focussed treatments on the flux of ovarian hormones during the two weeks following a menstrual period.

Conventional Western treatments involve supplementation with vitamin B6 and sometimes progesterone given in the second half of the cycle. Sometimes the birth control pill is prescribed to suppress ovulation and minimise hormonal fluctuation.

Many women already rely on natural measures, usually a combination of high-carbohydrate, low protein diet and regular exercise. The diet-and-exercise regime is ideal. Exercise works because it increases the level of endorphins in our bodies, and makes the blood more alkaline, which makes us feel good. Also, eating carbohydrates can help alleviate the psychological symptoms of PMS. Ironically, carbohydrates work in much the same way as antidepressants, such as Prozac, by increasing the levels of a brain chemical called seratonin, a mood regulator. It is now known that oestrogen can affect seratonin levels as well as many other brain chemicals.

The view of Traditional Chinese Medicine takes into account the hormonal cycle as well as the woman’s age, overall health, lifestyle and medical history. TCM recognises the female gynaecological organs as an integral part of the whole body functioning.

According to TCM, various emotional factors can affect menstruation and include:

Stress and anxiety which may, in time, produce prolonged periods or clotting, scanty or late periods. Fear and trauma can lead to irregular periods.

According to TCM, too much hot, spicy food, alcohol and coffee, or irregular eating patterns, can lead to early or frequent periods. Sour, raw or cold foods may produce scanty or late periods, and irregular eating patterns can lead to heavy periods.

TCM also suggests other lifestyle adjustments which can include:

  • The avoidance of tampons, baths and swimming during menstruation to reduce the possibility of painful or heavy periods.
  • The spacing of pregnancies sufficiently far apart for the whole body to recover.
  • The avoidance of excessive sexual activity, especially when run down.
  • The avoidance of sexual activity when extremely stressed , angry or during the menstruation.
  • The role of diet and exercise is important in helping to eliminate pre-menstrual symptoms and therefore includes:
  • Exercise, including t’ai chi chuan for relaxation
  • Eating plenty of complex carbohydrates (whole grains, pulses, fruit and vegetables)
  • Avoidance of adding table salt and salty foods
  • Increasing pure water intake
  • Cutting out sugar
  • Avoidance of fatty and greasy foods
  • Reduction of dairy intake
  • Cutting down on alcohol and caffeine
  • Stopping smoking


    • Although countless articles continue to be written about PMS, the condition still affects one in three of all menstruating women. Prevention and improvement is possible however. Traditional Chinese Medicine treats PMS using well-established information about how to avoid its symptoms through lifestyle, diet and regulating the emotions, as well as specifically tailored treatments using acupuncture and/or herbs to treat the underlying cause of the symptoms. Since it is a holistic medicine, it can also strengthen the underlying spirit and overall state of health.

    If you would like advice on any health issues before deciding to come for treatment, please do not hesitate to give me a call. I am at my Harley Street Clinic on Tuesdays (all day). Appointments can be made on 020 7487 4568 or 07870 188 926