Causes of PMS
- Serotonin
- Cyclic fluctuations in reproductive hormones
- Abnormal thyroid function
- Endorphin deficiency
- Vitamins
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) has been called everything from a hormonal dysfunction to a mental illness to the feminist issue of the '80s. Although it is known that PMS is associated with ovulation, the true cause remains unknown.
It is clear that two components are essential for PMS to occur. The first is the "trigger," which is clearly identified as ovulation and the resulting reproductive hormonal changes. The second is the "vulnerability" to the "trigger" that produces the mood changes of PMS. What makes one women "vulnerable," and another not, is unknown.
This is the key to identifying the cause of PMS. Many factors have been suggested but refuted as contributors to the "vulnerability," such as a women's social and economic status, number of children, diet, amount of exercise, stress level, personality and characteristics of the menstrual cycle.
However, current data supports serotonin, a chemical in the brain, as having an important role in PMS. While no other cause has been nearly as conclusive as serotonin, other possible factors have been investigated and are interesting to consider.
SerotoninSerotonin is a neurotransmitter. A neurotransmitter is a chemical that is involved in sending messages along nerves in the brain, spinal cord and throughout the body. Serotonin affects mood. Impaired serotonin activity has been linked to symptoms of depression, anxiety, impulsivity, aggression and increased appetite. Since depression is also a major symptom of PMS, scientists have questioned the role of serotonin in PMS. Abnormal serotonin levels and activities have been found in women suffering from PMS. Furthermore, drugs that enhance serotonin activity, called specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil), are effective in the treatment of PMS.
Cyclic fluctuations in reproductive hormonesWhile it seemed logical to many that the reproductive hormones involved in the menstrual cycle were the cause of PMS, research has proven that there are no differences in oestrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone levels between women with and without PMS. This only confirms that ovulation acts as the "trigger" but is not in itself the cause.
In the past, progesterone supplementation was supported as a treatment for PMS, but it has been proven to be ineffective. The only hormonal therapy that works is a regimen that prevents ovulation from occurring.
Abnormal thyroid functionThyroid disease is common in women. Symptoms of hypothyroidism, or low activity of the thyroid gland, can resemble symptoms of PMS. For this reason, the thyroid gland was once thought to have played a role in the cause of PMS. If you suffer from PMS-like symptoms, you should get your thyroid checked. However, it is clear that the majority of women with PMS have completely normal thyroid function. Thus, supplementation with thyroid hormone in the treatment of PMS is not helpful and may, in fact, be dangerous.
Endorphin deficiencyEndorphins are opium-like chemicals manufactured by the body that are involved in the sensation of euphoria and the perception of pain. Thus, some have proposed that PMS is a state of endorphin deficiency. Endorphin levels in the blood do fluctuate; however, these levels likely do not reflect the activity of endorphins in the brain. Consequently, there is not enough evidence to support this theory.
VitaminsScientific research has not been able to confirm a difference in the levels of vitamins and minerals between those women with symptoms of PMS and those without. One particular vitamin that has received a great deal of attention is vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in the synthesis of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that may also be involved in physical and emotional well-being. Thus, vitamin B6 deficiency has been considered as a cause of PMS.
Some researchers have shown improvements in PMS symptoms in women taking vitamin B6 daily while others have not. However, it is important to limit the amount of vitamin B6 that you take, since occasionally it can lead to nerve damage. You should only take vitamin B6 supplements with the supervision of a doctor.
