Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PMS?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PMS?

Estimates of the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) range from between 3-30% of women of reproductive age, depending on how it is defined. A recent article (meta-analysis), published in the journal, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (Busse et al, 2008), explored the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating PMS.

Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) is form of psychotherapy. It is based on the assumption that cognitive structures shape the way people react and adapt to a variety of situations or stressors in their lives.

If you suffer from PMS, you may want to explore treatment with CBT (discuss with your physician), particularly if you have prominent symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Results:

• Reduces anxiety
• Reduces depression
• Possible benefit on behavioral changes
• Possible benefit on interference of symptoms on daily living

Study conclusion:

Low quality evidence from randomized trials suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy may have important beneficial effects in managing symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.

Reference:

Busse JW, Montori VM, Krasnik C, Patelis-Siotis I, Guyatt GH. Psychological Intervention for Premenstrual Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Psychother Psychosom. 2008 Oct 14;78(1):6-15.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) for PMS--New study results!

Premenstrual syndrome is a very common condition that affects women of reproductive age. A recent study was published in the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology (Sharma et al, 2007), which compared Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to both Bromocriptine and placebo.

Bromocriptine is a dopine agonist that is usually used for the treatment of pituitary tumors as well as Parkinson's disease.

Interventions:

Bromocriptrine 2.5 mg twice a day and pyridoxine 100 mg/day.

Results:

Both Bromocriptine and Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) showed a significant reduction in mean premenstrual symptom scores.

Conclusions:

It is concluded that both the drugs are effective for treatment of premenstrual syndrome but, pyridoxine showed significantly higher response rate and lesser incidence of side effects than bromocriptine.

*Vitamin B6 (pryidoxine) is found in the patent-pending Zenstral PMS formulation. For natural PMS relief, click the link.

Reference:

Sharma P, Kulshreshtha S, Singh GM, Bhagoliwal A. Role of bromocriptine and pyridoxine in premenstrual tension syndrome.Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2007 Oct-Dec;51(4):368-74.

Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on stress levels

  Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on stress levels

A recent study published in the Nutrition Journal suggests that Relora may after some relief from anxiety for  premenopausal women.

"BACKGROUND: Recent research has established correlations between stress, anxiety, insomnia and excess body weight and these correlations have significant implications for health. This study measured the effects of a proprietary blend of extracts of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (Relora) on anxiety, stress and sleep in healthy premenopausal women. "

"CONCLUSION: This pilot study indicates that Relora may offer some relief for premenopausal women experiencing mild transitory anxiety. There were no safety concerns or significant adverse events observed in this study."

Reference:
Kalman DS, Feldman S, Feldman R, Schwartz HI, Krieger DR, Garrison R. Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on stress levels in healthy women: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutr J. 2008 Apr 21;7:11.

Comparison of estradiol levels of oral contraceptives on mood

The results of a study comparing two different forms of triphasic oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on both mood and sexual interest were compared in a recent study which was published in the journal Contraception. Both pills had the same amount of progestin, but differing amounts of estradiol. The OCP with the lower amount of estradiol reducted free testosterone less and also resulted in a greater improvement in mood in a popluation of 60 university students.

"The lower EE (Ethinyl estradiol) pill reduced FT (free testosterone) less and was associated with greater improvement in premenstrual mood. A causal relation between these two effects is uncertain" (Greco et al, 2007).

References:
1. Greco T, Graham CA, Bancroft J, Tanner A, Doll HA. The effects of oral contraceptives on androgen levels and their relevance to premenstrual mood and sexual interest: a comparison of two triphasic formulations containing norgestimate and either 35 or 25 microg of ethinyl estradiol. Contraception. 2007 Jul;76(1):8-17. Epub 2007 May 23.

Recent clinical trial on Vitamin B6 for Premenstrual Syndrome

 A recent clinical trial was published in Internation Journal of Gynaecology & Obstetrics which involved 160 university students from the same dormitory who had premenstrual syndrome. The outcomes on PMS symptoms were studied for two groups--those who received vitamin B6 and those received a placebo. The study authors concluded:

"Finally, there was a significant reduction in PMS severity following both forms of treatment and a comparison between the 2 groups also showed a significantly greater reduction in the pyridoxine group than in the placebo group."

Reference:

Kashanian M. Mazinani R. Jalalmanesh S. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) therapy for premenstrual syndrome. [Journal Article. Randomized Controlled Trial] International Journal of Gynaecology & Obstetrics. 96(1):43-4, 2007 Jan.

Vitamin B6 is found in the patent-pending Zenstral PMS(TM) formulation. For a free sample of Zenstral PMS, click: http://www.zenstralpms.com/

SSRI's for PMS

How effective are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) for the treatment of PMS?

SSRI’s are a class of drugs used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. Patients can experience many side effects from the use of these medications including weight changes, increase in anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and sexual dysfunction. A study published in the Cochrane Database concluded that there is very good evidence to support the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the management of severe PMS. However, withdrawals due to side effects were 2.5 times more likely to occur in the treatment group than in the placebo group.3

What medical treatments are available for PMS and PMDD?

there are four types of prescription drugs used for PMS/PMDD:

1. Antidepressants that act on serotonin, including fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine.The FDA has recently ordered makers of several antidepressants to issue black box warnings that patients on these medications should be closely monitored for “clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior.”
2. Agents that suppress ovulation, such as danazol, transdermal estradiol patches, and some oral contraceptives. These medications carry risks for serious side effects and can be very expensive.
3. Other psychotropics to reduce anxiety, such as alprazolam and other anxiolytic benzodiazepines. Since alprazolam has a very short half-life, there is a risk of addiction for patients who are started on this medication.
4. Spironolactone, a diuretic that is only available by prescription. It has proven effective in reducing premenstrual fluid retention, but doesn’t address the other symptoms of PMS.

Is bright light therapy effective for treating the depression associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Is bright light therapy effective for treating the depression associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Light therapy consists of exposure to full-spectrum light for a prescribed amount of time. A recent meta-analysis of bright light therapy published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology concluded that “the current evidence justifies neither enthusiastic dissemination nor confident rejection of this therapeutic modality.”5

Essentially, this suggests that more research is required to study the potential benefit of this treatment for PMS.  However, given the relative safety of this type of therapy, it may be worth trying for those who suffer from PMS.  Talk to your doctor before starting any new therapy.

Reference:

Krasnik C, Montori VM, Guyatt GH, Heels-Ansdell D, Brusse JW; Medically Unexplained Syndromes Study Group. The effect of bright light therapy on depression associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Am J Gynecol. 2005 Sep;193(3 Pt 1):658-61.

What can I do to manage my PMS symptoms?

What can I do to manage my PMS symptoms?

Women can often manage the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome by making changes in the way they eat, exercise, and approach their daily lives. To reduce your discomfort, try implementing as many of the suggestions below as you can.

Dietary Tips for Controlling PMS

1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals to reduce bloating and the sensation of fullness.
2. Eat complex carbohydrates such as whole grain breads, pasta, and cereals.
3. Cut back on sugar and fat in your diet.Avoid salt for the last days before your period to reduce bloating and fluid retention.
4. Avoid caffeine intake to feel less tense and irritable.Avoid alcoholic beverages. Consuming alcohol before your period can make you feel more depressed.
5. Choose foods rich in calcium.Increase consumption of dietary fiber.

Lifestyle Tips for Controlling PMS

1. Get aerobic exercise.
2. Regular daily exercise will help improve your overall health and can alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and a depressed mood.
3. Ensure adequate sleep—about eight hours per night.Attempt to schedule stressful events for the week after your period.Maintain a regular schedule of meals, bedtime, and exercise.
4. Practice deep-breathing exercises to help reduce headaches, anxiety, or trouble sleeping.
5. Avoid smoking cigarettes.

Visit: www.zenstralpms.com for a free trial box!

What evidence was used in formulating Zenstral PMS™?

What evidence was used in formulating Zenstral PMS™?

Below is a representative sample of the scientific evidence used in formulating Zenstral PMS™:

Vitex Agnus Castus Extract (VAC)

A recent double-blind, randomized controlled trial published in the British Medical Journal demonstrated a 52 percent reduction in PMS symptoms in women treated with dry extract of agnus castus fruit.11 Similar results were obtained in another study published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.12Another recent study found Vitex agnus castus extract to be as effective as fluoxetine for the treatment of PMDD, a more severe form of PMS. The authors reported that 57.9 percent of patients responded to VAC extract in the treatment of this disorder, and also found that VAC extract was more effective than fluoxetine in treating the physical symptoms of PMDD.13German health authorities have approved the use of chasteberry for three gynecological conditions: menstrual cycle irregularity, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and mastodynia (breast pain).14

Magnesium

A recent randomized, double-blind crossover study concluded that magnesium works synergistically with vitamin B6 to relieve anxiety symptoms associated with PMS.15

Vitamin B6

The British Medical Journal did a meta-analysis of vitamin B6 in the treatment of PMS and concluded that it was likely to be beneficial in treating premenstrual symptoms and premenstrual depression.16 Who should not take Zenstral PMS™?

Consult a physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking birth control pills, have a hormone-sensitive medical condition such as breast cancer, or are taking dopamine-related medications.

Natural premenstrual treatment

Zenstral PMS product features

1. Medical Doctor formulated.

2. Slick Cap Technology(TM) to ensure ease of swallowing.

3. Individual foil blister packs.

4. Patent-pending formulation.

5. Made 100% in USA in FDA approved facility

6. Clinically-proven ingredients.

Visit zenstralpms.com for more information