MENSTRUAL DYSFUNCTIONS (premenstrual syndromes and others)

by Dr. Lawrence Wilson

© October 2016, L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc.

 

All information in this article is for educational purposes only.  It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

 

WARNING: Heavy periods can be caused by a vegetarian or semi-vegetarian diet.  Adding more meat to the diet often reduces the heaviness and duration of the menstrual period.

 

WARNING: Only do a PMS program if you absolutely need it.  If you do not absolutely need a PMS program, then remain on your regular program all during the month.

 

 

Table Of Contents

 

I. Introduction

 The pill, the patch, or the birth control IUD

 

II. Premenstrual Tension And Related Symptoms

A. High Estrogen PMS And Program Modifications

B. Low Estrogen PMS And Program Modifications

C. Other Situations

D. Causes Of PMS

E. Symptomatic Remedies For PMS

F. Technical Aspects

 

III. Other Common Symptoms

            Cramps

Heavy Periods         

 

IV. Amenorrhea (no periods)

 

V. Short or Long Periods And Breakthrough Bleeding

 

VI. Other Related Topics

- The Period And The Phases Of The Moon

- Other Changes In The Period During A Development Program

- Other Articles On Reproductive Conditions

 

 

I. INTRODUCTION

 

            For millions of young women, symptoms associated with the menstrual period are annoying and, at times, debilitating.  Many women resort to taking pain killers or MUCH worse, birth control pills, to feel better.

The birth control pill, patch or IUD are among the most dangerous drugs in existence!  Their side effects include heart attacks, strokes, cancer and more!  They destroy womenÕs health.

Instead of suffering or taking ruinous drugs, most menstrual difficulties can be resolved easily using a development program and, if necessary, modifying it at certain times of the monthly cycle.

This article discusses the cause of most menstrual difficulties and how to correct them without needing drugs or herbs of any kind.

 

II. PREMENSTRUAL AND OTHER SYMPTOMS

 

            This section is divided into:

I. Symptoms before the period, and

II. Other period-related symptoms.

 

I. SYMPTOMS BEFORE THE MENSTRUAL PERIOD:

It is necessary to divide pre-menstrual symptoms into those caused by:

A. High estrogen OR

B. Low estrogen

 

The reason is that each of these situations requires a different program.

Note that one can experience high estrogen PMS one month, and low estrogen PMS the next month.   This can occur if one ovary is working better than the other.

 

A. HIGH ESTROGEN PMS

 

In terms of physiology, these symptoms correlate with an increase in the sodium/potassium ratio before the menstrual period, and a higher available copper level.

Note: You can experience the symptoms regardless of the sodium/potassium ratio on your hair mineral analysis.  The problem is the ratio goes up too high before the menstrual period.

 

Symptoms.  Typical symptoms may include anger, irritability, breast swelling and tenderness, acne or other skin eruptions, copper headaches (usually one-sided and perhaps around the eyes), and perhaps some anxiety and feeling very emotional. Less common are very severe symptoms including crying spells, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, violent outbursts or more severe sleep difficulties.

These symptoms are associated with a high sodium/potassium ratio and inflammation.

 

When symptoms occur. A few or perhaps more of these symptoms usually occur about seven to ten days prior to when menstrual bleeding begins.  They often become worse until the period comes, or close to it.

Sometimes they can last a day into the menstrual bleeding time. Then they go away until near the end of the cycle again – around day 24 to 26 or so, and the cycle repeats itself.

Sometimes one monthÕs symptoms are mild, while the next monthÕs are more acute, and this pattern alternates.  This is because one ovary is producing more hormones than the other.

 

Program changes for high estrogen PMS.  A complete nutritional balancing program will eventually reduce and usually completely stop these pre-menstrual symptoms.  However, this can take a few years on a program to eliminate toxic metals and rebalance the hormones.

In the meantime, here are changes to the regular program that usually work to minimize these pre-menstrual symptoms:

 

1. Add zinc to your program.  You may take up to about 50 mg three times daily.  Zinc helps to lower the sodium level and the sodium/potassium ratio.

Note: zinc taken away from meals may cause nausea.  If taking zinc even with meals causes extreme nausea, use zinc lozenges instead of tablets or capsules, as this may work better.

2. Increase your intake of vitamin B6 (either pyridoxine or pyridoxyl-5 phosphate or P5P.  Begin by taking about 100 mg 3 times daily.  You can take up to 400 mg of either one three times daily.  However, this is a lot! Do not take it for more than 10 days at a time.  Vitamin B6 helps by reducing edema and inflammation, and lowering copper as well.

3. Stop taking all high-potency B-complex vitamins. These tend to raise the sodium level.  If you take Megapan 2-2-2, you may need to reduce the amount you are taking, as this product contains B-complex vitamins.

4. Stop taking adrenal or thyroid glandular products.  Also perhaps reduce or avoid all kelp at this time of the month.  These products can also raise the sodium/potassium ratio.

5. Stop taking Limcomin if you are taking it. It raises the sodium/potassium ratio.

6. Liver support in the form of Russian black radish, milk thistle or dandelion root may also be helpful.  This can be done all month long if the dosages are small.

7. BE SURE to return to your regular program a day or two after you get your period when symptoms subside.  In other words, do not continue on the special PMS regimen the whole month.  If you need the PMS program all month, then your nutritional balancing program is incorrect and needs changing.

Now let us discuss another set of PMS symptoms caused by an opposite situation.

 

B. LOW ESTROGEN PMS

 

Less commonly, menstruating women experience symptoms before the menstrual period that are caused by a lowering of the sodium/potassium ratio on a hair mineral analysis before the period.

This is associated with what is called biounavailable copper in the body, and usually a lower estrogen level.

 

            Symptoms of low Na/K PMS.  These usually include some or all of the following: depression, low energy, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, tearfulness, rapid heart rate, easily angered, edgy, hypersensitivity, a sense of hopelessness, low self-confidence and low self-esteem.

At times, some symptoms can be similar to those of the high Na/K ratio PMS.  However, the high Na/K symptoms are usually more inflammatory, almost like a fire raging out of control.  With low Na/K PMS, usually one feels basically tired and depressed.

Other indicators for low Na/K and low estrogen may include:

 

- Feeling worse just after the bleeding ends for a few days.

- Feeling worse for several days in the middle of your monthly cycle (just after ovulation).

- Feeling worse just a few days before your cycle starts

- Feeling your best right before ovulation (before the middle of your monthly cycle)?

 

            When during the month the symptoms occur. Typically, symptoms are worse nearer the menstrual period, and when one gets the period, and for a few days afterwards.

Symptoms may also occur just after ovulation, around day 16 to 18 of the menstrual cycle, and they only last a few days.

 

            Program changes for low estrogen PMS.  Here are suggestions to modify a development program if you have low estrogen symptoms:

 

1. Diet: Be sure to eat red meat at least twice weekly.  Also, be sure to have animal protein on a daily basis, and preferably twice daily.  Strictly avoid all fruit, all juices, all raw salads, and all sweets of any kind, as these weaken the glands.  Reducing fat in the diet, such as that found in dairy products, may help a little as well.

 

2. Add Limcomin from Endomet Labs in Phoenix, Arizona.  You may vary the dose from 3-12 per day.  If you are already taking this product, which tends to raise the sodium/potassium ratio, then double or even triple your dose for a few days and see if you feel better.

 

3. Extra glandulars.  You may have to take extra Endo-dren or Thyro-complex (glandulars) from Endomet Laboratories.

 

4. Extra B-complex, vitamin E or copper.  Some women may need extra B-complex vitamins at this time, or about 400 iu of extra vitamin E.  In rare cases, extra copper is helpful.  Save this remedy for last, however, as most women are slow oxidizers and have too much copper in their tissues.

 

            5. BE SURE to return to your regular development program after symptoms pass – usually after the first few days of the month after the bleeding stops.  This is very important!

 

These changes for either high or low estrogen types of menstrual difficulties may seem complex.  However, they usually work well and the need for them will diminish as you become healthier by continuing with your program.

 

C. OTHER PERIOD-RELATED SITUATIONS

 

FEELING VERY TIRED WHEN YOU GET YOUR PERIOD

 

This is often due to the hormone levels dropping too low when you get your period.  It is related to the Na/K ratio going too low. 

 

Symptoms.  One may feel very tired, or even exhausted.  Blood pressure may become low.

Rarely, a person can pass out.  This may be due to a combination of a low tissue sodium/potassium ratio, and a little anemia and/or dehydration due to a heavy menstrual period.

 

Program changes.

1. Stop taking zinc if you are taking it.

2. Take Limcomin 1-1-1 or even more.  If you are already taking Limcomin, take more of it.

3. You may need more Megapan and either Endo-dren or Thyro-complex.

4. Usually, these symptoms last 3-5 days.  Then go back on your regular program.

 

MONTHLY ALTERNATING HIGH AND LOW ESTROGEN SYMPTOMS

 

Occasionally, a woman has high estrogen symptoms one month, while the next month she has low estrogen symptoms, in an alternating fashion.

This is due to differences in the activity of her two ovaries.  Each month, one of the ovaries produces a mature egg, and they alternate – left ovary one month, followed by the right ovary the next month.  If one ovary is functioning better than the other, then PMS symptoms can alternate from month to month, depending upon which ovary is producing a mature egg that month.

This problem will eventually go away if a woman is following a development program, which tends to improve the functioning of both ovaries.

 

CRAZY, MIXED UP COMBINATIONS OF HIGH AND LOW ESTROGEN SYMPTOMS

 

Rarely, a young woman experiences some high estrogen and some low estrogen symptoms during the same cycle.  In most cases, this is due to malnutrition or a trauma that upsets their hormones.  This usually improves within six months on a development program.

 

CAUSES FOR MENSTRUAL DIFFICULTIES

 

Causes of menstrual problems include stress, nutritional deficiencies, improper diet, copper excess and other toxic metals present in excess, an unhealthy lifestyle, emotional imbalances and liver toxicity.

            Most young women need to drastically increase the amount of cooked vegetables they eat to about 70-80% of their diets.  They require cooked vegetables, not salads, at least twice or three times daily.

Ten to twelve ounces of carrot juice daily, perhaps with a few greens added, is also excellent.  Do not have more, however, as it will upset the blood sugar and is too yin.  Also, strictly avoid all smoothies.

Eat red meat twice a week in most cases, have animal protein daily, and avoid fruit and all sweets.

            Also eliminate all wheat, most pasteurized dairy products and all pig products.  Eat animal protein daily, especially if you are a slow oxidizer.  Also, drink about 3 quarts or 3 liters of spring water or carbon-only filtered tap water daily to properly hydrate the body.  Avoid all other types of water and most other beverages.  Read Water for Drinking for more on this important topic.

 

Toxic Chemicals that are hard on your liver and should be avoided include chemicals such as nail polish, hair sprays, and many body care products.  Chlorinated and fluoridated water, and toxic household cleaners and solvents are also very hard on the body and should be strictly avoided.  Also avoid toxic paints, pesticides, hair dyes, most cosmetics and skin lotions, along with other toxic products in common use.  Use only natural cosmetics in small amounts, if needed.

           

Inadequate rest will make PMS worse for most women.

 

Excessive exercise exhausts the adrenals, and may lead to complete cessation of the menstrual period.  This is very unhealthy for young women.  Some gentle exercise daily, such as walking, is fine however.

 

Emotional imbalances in many women include hidden anger and resentments.  While these can be understandable and explained, they are not helpful at all.  They are a very important contributor to many cases of menstrual difficulties.  The emotions can affect the liver and all glandular activity.  They tend to affect the adrenals as well. The adrenal glands regulate copper metabolism and produce female hormones.  Methods such as relaxation techniques, spiritual reading, prayer, and the Pushing Down Mental Exercise can go a long way toward helping one to release hidden anger and resentment.

 

Anything that affects the adrenal glands negatively is likely to raise the copper level.  Fatigue is probably the single most common factor in adrenal underactivity.  Worry or other emotional imbalances is second most important in most cases.

 

Lack of self-acceptance as a woman. Some young women today are angry with themselves for having periods and even for being a woman.  This lack of self-acceptance as a woman tends to worsen menstrual symptoms even more.  It is important to understand that all is in divine order concerning the body and oneÕs gender.

 

E. A COMPLETE PROGRAM

 

Most women with PMS are slow oxidizers.  This means their adrenal and thyroid glands are underactive or sluggish.  This may not be revealed on blood, urine or saliva tests.  A complete development program will help balance the oxidation rate and the major mineral ratios. 

While the program modifications in the sections above are excellent, also important is to continue with a complete development program.  In most all cases, this will eventually get rid of all premenstrual syndrome.  It may take a few years if the ovaries are weak and other nutritional imbalances are present.

 

Foot reflexology.  A part of the development program that some overlook is foot reflexology.  Please try this for PMS and any menstrual difficulties.

The location of the foot reflexes to the ovaries, uterus and vagina are beneath the ankle bones, on the inside and the outside of both feet.  Rubbing firmly here can help a lot.  Usually, you will find a few very painful spots.  Just rub them for a minute or less, several times daily.

 

The other detoxification procedures.  The coffee enemas, vaginal coffee implants, and red lamp sauna therapy may also be extremely helpful for all menstrual difficulties.  They enable the body to eliminate toxins much faster.  The coffee enemas specifically help the liver, one of the most important organs involved with menstrual symptoms.

 

F. SYMPTOMATIC REMEDIES

 

            Some women use other products to control menstrual symptoms.  Most of them are toxic and I do not recommend them ever.  They are very rarely needed if one follows a development program with the modifications above, when needed.  Here are some common products used for menstrual dysfunctions with my comments:

 

Dandelion root and milk thistle.  These may help detoxify the liver.  Liver toxicity is one cause of PMS and other menstrual difficulties.  They are only slightly toxic and are okay with a development program.

The best form is usually a tincture in alcohol or glycerin.  One can take a dropperful daily or a little more.

 

Primrose or borage oil.  While this may help some symptoms, it is slightly toxic and best avoided.  Every woman needs fish oil or flax seed oil, about 900 mg daily, and I much prefer these.

 

Natural hormone creams, patches or tablets. Progesterone and possibly estrogen creams or pills are sometimes used for PMS.  They are rarely needed if one follows a development program.  All are somewhat toxic, even so-called bio-identical hormones.  They are not exactly bio-identical because they are not secreted at exactly the time and the amount the body needs all day long.

Estrogens can increase oneÕs risk of cancer and I would avoid all of them.  Progesterone is less toxic, but taking any hormones tends to upset the bodyÕs natural hormone regulation system.  Taking hormones also does not address the underlying problem, which is a deranged body chemistry.

 

Herbal remedies such as black cohosh and others.  These all tend to be somewhat toxic, and very rarely are needed.  Of these, black cohosh may be best in a very few cases until a development program can correct the underlying body chemistry.

 

Birth control pills and patches. These are extremely toxic.  They contain synthetic hormones that severely upset body chemistry and have horrendous side effects such as heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. 

 

G. TECHNICAL ASPECTS – PHYSIOLOGY OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

 

            Here is a look at the basic hormonal cycle that occurs each month.  When bleeding starts at the beginning of the period, estrogen, progesterone and copper are at their lowest levels of the month.  The levels of estrogen and progesterone remain relatively low while menstrual bleeding occurs.  At the end of the bleeding phase, estrogen begins to rise.  It continues to rise until ovulation, about half way through the cycle.

As the cycle continues, the estrogen level dips slightly and then resumes its rise.  The level of progesterone also begins to rise in the second half of the cycle.  The last week or so of the cycle, estrogen levels are at their highest.  This is usually the time one feels symptoms of premenstrual tension.  However, some women are more uncomfortable when the period arrives, and other variations are possible.  They can also vary month to month in some women.

 

COPPER AND ESTROGEN

 

Most important from a nutritional standpoint, the copper level parallels the level of estrogen, increasing as the cycle progresses. 

            Seven to ten days before the period, copper is at a relatively high level, along with estrogen.  High copper can give rise to many of the symptoms women think of as premenstrual syndrome. 

This happens especially, though not exclusively, in women whose metabolism is sluggish and in those whose tissue copper level is already elevated.  These women become copper toxic, in essence, each month before the period.

It is also possible that in some women copper becomes mainly biounavailable. This produces a slightly different set of symptoms in some women.

 

THE SODIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO AND THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

 

As the menstrual cycle progresses, in most women the hair tissue sodium/potassium ratio also rises.  It is highest just before the period.  This is tied to the rise in copper and estrogen in most women.  The high sodium/potassium ratio just before the period and a much lower sodium/potassium ratio when the period arrives can also give rise to menstrual cycle symptoms.

The sodium/potassium ratio is a crude indicator of the relationship between estrogen and progesterone in the body.  Therefore, as the ratio rises, one may experience more symptoms of estrogen dominance or just high estrogen.  Symptoms may include irritability, headaches, anger, water retention and breast tenderness.

Symptoms may be worse If the body cannot detoxify estrogen fast enough.  This, in turn, may be due to or related to copper toxicity, which can affect the liver and is stored in the liver.  Slow oxidation also will tend to slow all liver detoxification, as will deficiencies of zinc and selenium, among other nutrients.

 

A lower sodium/potassium ratio before the period. While the above situation is by far the most common, another is possible.  If adrenal activity is very impaired, copper may become less biologically available before the menstrual period.  This can give rise to a decreased sodium/potassium ratio at this time of the month.  This will give rise to symptoms that emphasize exhaustion and depression.

 

If the corrective program for a high sodium/potassium ratio does not work, one can try the program for a low sodium/potassium ratio.

 

III. OTHER COMMON SYMPTOMS

 

              Menstrual cramps. Possible causes include a vegetarian or semi-vegetarian diet.  See the section below about diet.  This is most important.  Other possible remedies that may help.

1. Add more Paramin (or a calcium/magnesium supplement (250/150 mg each)) at a dosage of 1-1-1 or up to 3-3-3.  This may help by relaxing the muscles.

2. Relax and rest more at this time of the month. 

 

Heavy periods.  Heavy periods are often due to a vegetarian or semi-vegetarian diet.  I recommend for all adults:

1. Eat animal protein every single day.

2. Animal protein means red meat, poultry, fish, eggs and cheese, yogurt or kefir.

3. Eat animal protein once or twice daily, but not more.

4. Eat red meat, preferably lamb, twice weekly.

5. The portion size for meat should be 4-5 ounces or 100-150 grams of protein food per serving.

6. Women may have up to 6 eggs per week, but not more.

7. Men may have up to 8 eggs per week, but not more.

 

Semi-vegetarian means that you eat less animal protein than the amount specified above.

 

IV. SKIPPED PERIODS OR NO MENSTRUATION (Amenorrhea)

 

            Other than pregnancy, the cause for this is malnutrition, primarily.  Too much exercise will cause it, as well.  A development program will generally restore the menstrual period, which is important for young womenÕs health and happiness.

 

V. SHORT, OR LONG PERIODS, OR BLEEDING DURING THE MONTH (or breakthrough bleeding)

 

            These are caused by hormonal imbalances.  They can also be due to improper diet and poor quality lifestyles.  They generally go away easily if one follows a complete development program.

 

VI. OTHER RELATED TOPICS

 

THE MENSTRUAL PERIOD AND THE PHASES OF THE MOON

 

            A curious fact is that when a young woman begins a development program, her menstrual cycle will often change within a few years so that the period will line up with the time of the full moon.  I do not know why this occurs, but it is a common finding.

            It is important for women to know this so that if the menstrual period starts to change, with either shorter periods or longer periods for a while, please do not be upset or worried about it.  In all cases, the natural rhythm will re-establish itself after a time, and usually the period will then correlate with the time of the full moon.

            This association between the period and the full moon has been known for millennia.  In fact, Native Americans called the menstrual cycle the Òmoon cycleÓ.

 

OTHER MENSTRUAL CHANGES DURING A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

 

            At times, young women experience other changes in the length or quality of the menstrual cycle during a complete development program.  These are retracing reactions involving the ovaries, or perhaps the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland that regulates the menstrual cycle.

            Although these changes can be annoying, they generally pass quickly and the period settles down to a regular cycle within a few months.

 

            For articles about other female reproductive health conditions, please go to WomenÕs And MenÕs Health Conditions on this site.

 

 

Home | Hair Analysis | Saunas | Books | Articles | Detox Protocols

Courses | About Dr. Wilson | The Free Basic Program