Food supplement to relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

The dietary supplement PreMenstrual Comfort combines the best substances identified for relieving premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

PMS is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms experienced by some women before their period: pain, bloating, changes in mood, fatigue, sleep problems, etc. It affects 30%-40% of women in the West (1).

This natural supplement is part of our female hormonal balance category.

What does this PMS supplement contain?

Our PMS supplement contains 4 compounds:

1. a dry extract of chasteberry, or Vitex agnus-castus (40mg per dose). Use of this plant as a natural treatment for premenstrual syndrome has been validated by many studies (2-4). Specifically, chasteberry helps to regulate levels of dopamine, prolactin, oestrogen and progesterone (which are often unbalanced in PMS-sufferers). It thus helps to both reduce fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, irritability, etc., and prevent discomfort before as well as during the menstrual phase. Chasteberry’s efficacy is recognised by the European Medicines Agency, an official agency of the EU. Its most important active principle is vitexin (5). Our supplement is thus standardised to 0.5% vitexin for optimal efficacy;
2. calcium citrate (475mg per dose) which supports normal neurotransmission and therefore normal production of serotonin (the neurotransmitter associated with mood). This form of calcium has the advantage of being extremely bioavailable and minimising the risk of intestinal discomfort;
3. magnesium bisglycinate (250mg per dose) which helps reduce fatigue and supports normal nervous system and psychological function (less agitation, fewer mood swings …). This form of magnesium has also been chosen for its exceptional bioavailability and good gastrointestinal tolerance;
4. vitamin B6 (25mg per dose) which helps reduce fatigue, and supports the normal nervous system and psychological function, as well as regulation of hormone activity, which can be disrupted during the premenstrual period. Severe PMS, for example, is often associated with inadequate levels of progesterone.

What exactly is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

Definition of PMS

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the term for a group of symptoms, recognised relatively recently, which affects women of childbearing age.

It manifests in physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms which appear during the luteal phase (the 14 day period following ovulation) and disappear spontaneously at the start of the woman’s period .

There is another, more severe, form called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It produces more severe psychiatric symptoms and is believed to affect 2%-5% of women (6).

The variations in steroid hormones that occur at this point in the menstrual cycle are thought to be the cause of this still poorly-understood disorder, especially the progesterone/oestrogen ratio which may, in particular, affect the action of GABA (7), the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. PMS-related hormone variations may also affect levels of serotonin, another important neurotransmitter which plays a central role in regulating mood, appetite and sleep.

Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome

There are many potential symptoms of PMS:

• breast tenderness: sore, sensitive or painful breasts;
• uncomfortable abdominal bloating sometimes combined with constipation;
• irritability, mood problems, tendency towards depression, anxiety;
• high emotional instability: sudden feelings of sadness, hypersensitivity to failure or rejection, feelings of despair, etc.;
• headaches;
• sleep problems;
• excessive fatigue and a marked fall in energy levels;
• notable loss of appetite, cravings for certain foods, etc.

Typically, symptoms peak just before a period and stop at, or a few days after, the start of menstruation.

How should PreMenstrual Comfort be taken to reduce the symptoms of PMS?

What’s the recommended dose for this PMS supplement?

We recommend taking 2 capsules a day during the week preceding, and the first 3 days of menstruation. One pot of PreMenstrual Comfort covers 3 menstrual cycles.

7 additional tips for relieving PMS

Throughout the supplementation period, try to adopt these 7 measures to optimise your relief from PMS:

• reduce your sugar intake to avoid aggravating inflammation and digestive problems;
• limit your sodium consumption to reduce water retention and bloating, common PMS symptoms;
• try not to consume too much caffeine (8) or alcohol, as they can affect mood and sleep quality and exacerbate certain PMS symptoms;
• avoid smoking for the same reasons (9) ;
• try to get back to a healthy weight if you are overweight: women with a BMI above 27.5kg/m2 are at higher risk;
• reduce your stress levels, as stress is another risk factor for PMS (10) ;
• spread your food intake: eating small, balanced meals throughout the day rather than large ones can help to maintain consistent energy levels and improve control of diet-related symptoms.