Summary
Hormone changes occur during the normal monthly cycle
resulting in a wide variety of symptoms depending on the
individual. Symptoms can include physiological problems such
as fluid retention, swollen joints, skin problems, fatigue,
or headaches. Some may also experience psychological
reactions ranging from severe aggressive irritability to
irrationality, tension, insomnia, decreased libido,
depression, apathy, or sadness. These symptoms vary
widely in each woman. They usually start 7 to 10 days
prior to menstrual flow and end shortly thereafter.
For most women, if not addressed, there will be a similar
pattern month to month.
PMMD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is the term used
to describe severe PMS symptoms. They follow the same
cycle and range of symptoms but produce a more debilitating
outcome. To clinically be PMMD the symptoms must
include one mood related symptom and five or more of the
following:
•
Disinterest in daily activities and relationships
•
Fatigue or low energy
•
Feeling of sadness or hopelessness, possible suicidal
thoughts
•
Feelings of tension or anxiety
•
Feeling out of control
• Food
cravings or binge eating
• Mood
swings marked by periods of teariness
•
Panic attack
•
Persistent irritability or anger that affects other people
•
Physical symptoms, such as bloating, breast tenderness,
headaches, and joint or muscle pain
•
Problems sleeping
•
Trouble concentrating
[search helps: PMT,
premenstrual tension ]
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends:
Balance, Clear Skin, cypress, frankincense, geranium,
helicrhysum, lavender, lemongrass, melaleuca,
Purify, rosemary, sandalwood, Serenity, Whisper, ylang ylang
Essential oils based
products: Aroma Touch Technique, Life Long
Vitality supplements, FM Assist, GX Assist,
Zendocrine blend, Zendocrine Complex
Also consider:
bergamot, clary sage, fennel, grapefruit, lemongrass
Suggested protocols:
Long Term Preventative Measures
•
Life Long Vitality supplements - Many people report
that using these nutritional supplements was the foundation
of incredible improvement.
•
Hormone Balance - Oils and helps to balance
hormones is essential. This link will suggest many
oils and helps. Hormonal
Balance. (or simplified consider bergamot and
clary sage)
•
GX Assist and Zendocrine blend and Complex -
Some experienced yeast infection as a root cause and doing
mild cleanses were very helpful.
Symptom Relief
•
Overall - FM Assist is softgel capsules with a
blend of essential oils to provide temporary relief of PMS
discomforts. Take 2 softgels with food every 6-8 hours. For
greater discomfort, take 3 softgels with food every 6-8
hours as needed. Do not exceed 8 softgels in a 24-hour
period. (also consider the AromaTouch Technique)
Additional help with specific oils:
(note: Dr. Hill and many others point out that different
oils work for different folks and there is usually a need to
do some experimentation to determine what works best for
each individual)
•
Cramps - Here are two protocols that were very
helpful to specific folks:
- Take 8 -12 drops of
sandalwood internally in a capsule at the outset. On
the second day take 6 - 8 drops of sandalwood in a capsule.
- Apply 2 - 4 drops
each of cypress and rosemary topically to the abdomen.
Use a warm compress on abdomen after applying oils.
•
Anger, anxiety, disinterest - Topically apply
Serenity and/or Whisper to bottoms of feet and back of neck
and/or diffuse. (also consider Balance, bergamot, fennel,
geranium, grapefruit, lavender, ylang ylang)
•
Acne - Multiple folks report even after other
symptoms are helped with LLV and other techniques that adult
acne continues. Protocols reported successful for acne
were:
- Lavender and
melaleuca topically for light acne problems
- Purify topically was
reported very successful for difficult acne outbreaks
coupled with helichrysum and frankincense for long term skin
toning.
- Clear Skin with
Purify, melaleuca, and geranium topically during monthly
breakout.
Maggie Tisserand in her book Aromatherapy
for Women gives this sage bit of advice, “Lemongrass bath
strengthens my emotions when emotionally wobbly.”
Experiences and Testimonials of others
Rachel - I have
been using the oils for 4 months now. I started using them
to get me off my meds for PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric
Disorder). I was diagnosed with that almost 2 years ago.
The oils have been working for the depression that is
associated with this and most of the mood swings. The only
thing that it isn't working for me is the acne. I look like
a teenager going through puberty. I am wondering if the oils
that I am currently using are not the correct ones? I use
Whisper and Elevation in the morning for the PMDD. I have
used melaleuca, peppermint and now currently using
eucalyptus. None of those seem to be working for me. If
there is anyone out there that can point me in the right
direction, I would be so grateful.
Diane - One thing you might want to try
is using melaleuca and lavender mixed together and applied
topically with a cotton ball directly to the pimples. Or
make an astringent with them using witch hazel and apply it
to your entire face.
JRW - I experienced the same thing when
I first began using the oils to balance my hormones. Nothing
worked for the acne. I started using the oils last spring.
My face and back are finally starting to clear up. I
honestly think my acne was just part of my body detoxifying
and balancing itself. Melaleuca was a big help. I also used
lemon and rosemary as a face wash. It didn't completely get
rid of it, but it helped it not be so extreme. Your body may
just need a few more months to work itself through the
balance process.
Heather - Also I would recommend a
cleanse. Candida can be another cause. GX Assist and
Zendocrine.
Cristi - I have (or maybe now I can
finally say "had") pretty severe hormonal acne as well. I
tried melaleuca and lavender (which seem to be the first two
that people recommend for acne). I used those for about a
year, but they didn't really seem to help me much. Then I
started using Purify and holy cow! When I have a pimple that
I can feel coming on, I just dab a drop of Purify on the
spot and it is amazing! Totally gone in a day or two! For
my longer maintenance, I use helichrysum and frankincense
all over on my face and those have worked wonders with my
scarring. My skin has never been better (and this coming
from someone who suffered with horrible hormonal acne from
ages 13-32!) You may just want to try a few different oils
and see what works best for you. Someone also recommended
geranium for me. It didn't work as well as the Purify does.
And man, that frankincense/helichrysum combo is fantastic!
Maree - I am wondering if you are on the
Life Long Vitality? I think that had a huge affect on
clearing up my 40 year old acne...I also have started using
the skin care in the last 3 months and I have noticed an
even more amazing difference in my face and so have other
people! I get hormonal break outs once a month but I can
control those with Clear Skin/Purify/melaleuca and
geranium..They are good stuff for me and my crazy break
outs! Who would have thunk that I would have more at 40 than
I did in my teens.
Sunny - This may not be your problem at
all, but for others that it might help: I have an
acquaintance who has had adult onset acne. She tried Clear
Skin and it worked for her.
Brenda – Danielle
you wrote that you had amazing testimonials using bergamot
as an anti inflammatory. How much, how often and how did
you use it? Under tongue, capsules?
Danielle - When I started using the
bergamot, I stopped having any negative PMS symptoms. I mean
totally non-existent. My intuition told me it was the
bergamot. Then, my weight just started coming off! I lost 60
pounds over late summer and fall. I also told my friend who
had crippling cramps from her menstrual cycle about the
bergamot. She tried it and, was amazed. She now has no
cramps and has very easy periods. Which for her is huge!
I just drink it with a few drops in a glass of water
every day. My friend also drinks it and rubs it topically
over her abdomen. Hope that helps!
For me I also had more energy and didn't have stomach
issues. I also noticed weight melting off pretty instantly.
I was using frankincense and wild orange as well but when I
got bergamot sometime in the summer, the weight just started
coming off, very noticeable. It could be the combination of
the frankincense and wild orange, too just removing toxins
from my liver and body that helped shrink my fat cells.
But, my friend only has the bergamot and she claims it to
be her menstrual lifesaver.
Becky - My daughter
has PMDD which is a very bad case of PMS. She only
feels good a couple of weeks out of the month. I've
tried giving her some oils that are supposed to be good for
PMS, such as clary sage, but she hasn't found them to be
helpful at all. Any suggestions? I'm really new
at this.
Kathy - 1 Tablespoon flax seed oil daily
or just when she is in pain or not feeling good - works
instantly on me.
Pat - You will find that we all have our
remedies, so you just need one that agrees with your
daughter. The FM Assist has done wonders for many and you
might want to try the Aroma Touch Technique alternating some
of the oils to fit your PMDD needs.
Julie Ann - If she has cramps this might
help. It took me like forever to find out that a girls best
friend was Sandalwood....and then the change came and I
didn't need it anymore! I had agonizing monthly's all my
life....until Sandalwood! 8-12 drops in a capsule at the
onset of the cramps and then 6-8 drops in another capsule
the next day and my life was changed. If I was her now I
would immediately start on the LLW pack and not get off...
and I would never be without Serenity blend....makes a 100%
difference in living in general.
Lisa - My daughter applied topically
rosemary and cypress and said that her cramps where
instantly gone. I didn't believe her but two hours later is
when the pain returned and then she just applied some more
with coconut carrier oil and was instantly relieved.
Becky - Thanks for
the suggestions. She's dealing with more than cramps -
irritability, anxiety, insomnia and depression with it.
Mindy - I was just thinking about
posting my success today so to see this request for help was
uncanny. Here's what I've found to work for me. I also
suffer with PMDD. I have some minor to extreme cramping but
that's nowhere close to my PMDD complaints. My biggest
problems were extreme anger and frustration, no patience,
and lethargy. I recognized that I was having severe
symptoms but I wasn't finding anything to help them. This
is what has helped amazingly for me this last two cycles.
Serenity and Whisper applied to toe heads and necks and
whole foot twice a day.
Amazing! I can't even tell you how amazing it is. I
feel normal all month long! I had 2 weeks out of the month
that I felt normal and the rest of the time I spent raging
or in a state of constant irritability. Anti depressants
couldn't even come close to what these two oils are doing
for me. I also apply Balance once a day just for the good of
it.
What Science & Research are saying
The role of essential fatty acids
and prostaglandins in the premenstrual syndrome.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 1983 Jul;28(7):465-8.
Horrobin DF.
Abstract
Many of the features of the premenstrual syndrome are
similar to the effects produced by the injection of
prolactin. Some women with the premenstrual syndrome have
elevated prolactin levels, but in most the prolactin
concentrations are normal. It is possible that women with
the syndrome are abnormally sensitive to normal amounts of
prolactin. There is evidence that prostaglandin E1, derived
from dietary essential fatty acids, is able to attenuate the
biologic actions of prolactin and that in the absence of
prostaglandin E1 prolactin has exaggerated effects. Attempts
were made, therefore, to treat women who had the
premenstrual syndrome with gamma-linolenic acid, an
essential fatty acid precursor of prostaglandin E1. Gamma-linolenic
acid is found in human, but not cows', milk and in evening
primrose oil, the preparation used in these studies. Three
double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, one large open
study on women who had failed other kinds of therapy for the
premenstrual syndrome and one large open study on new
patients all demonstrated that
evening primrose oil is a highly effective treatment for the
depression and irritability, the breast pain and tenderness,
and the fluid retention associated with the premenstrual
syndrome. Nutrients known to increase the conversion
of essential fatty acids to prostaglandin E1 include
magnesium, pyridoxine, zinc, niacin and ascorbic acid. The
clinical success obtained with some of these nutrients may
in part relate to their effects on essential fatty acid
metabolism.
Ready, Set, Grow
