What is PMS? It stands for Premenstrual syndrome, also known as premenstrual tension or stress. As the name suggests, symptoms usually start around 7-10 days preceding menstruation and subside as menstruation begins. Premenstrual symptoms vary between the physical and mental, such as breast tenderness, headaches, water retention and constipation to depression, anger and aggression (Connolly 2001).

Research studies suggest a link between an inbalance in hormones and brain chemicals, due to the mechanisms within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex (HPA) axis, involving the nervous, endocrine and immune systems (Selye 1976; Halbreich 2003).

An estimated 1 in 3 women experience PMS in the UK. Many women who have dysmenorrhoea (pain during menstruation) are not included in this equation, will also experience PMS (Pizzorno et al 2006). To date, there is still no definitive treatment in its management within the medical system except for ineffective over-the-counter medications (Wyatt et al 1999).

Studies also suggest that modern diets may be lacking in the essential nutrients to support menstruating women (Glenville 2002). As more and more women are facing the demands of 21st century lifestyle, stress may have a profound impact on hormones and the immune system (Selye 1976;Toates 1995).

Nutritional therapy is a safe and effective method to treat PMS. It was considered by Hippocrates BCE460 and Taoists medical practice as a first line approach for optimum health and wellbeing. It is used primarily for the maintenance of health and prevention of illness.

If you are aged between 18-45 and suffer from PMS (>1 month), this is an excellent opportunity for you to take part in a forthcoming research study for 6 weeks (beginning February 2007), involving nutritional therapy.

Exclusion criteria: pregnant, non-menstruating women, menstrual cycle of <25 days, >30 days, prescribed drug medications, the contraceptive Pill or hormonal medications; serious medical conditions; special diets.

Nutritional therapy will be provided free of charge during the 6 weeks of the study. Participants will be randomised into one of 2 groups. In order to achieve maximum reliability and validity, your compliance to the protocol is of utmost importance.

The study involves supplementing your usual diet with an organic soup for 4 times a week over 6 weeks in one group. The other group will take a nutritional supplement everyday. Before the intervention begins, participants will be asked to fill out 2 questionnaires (shortened PAF & MYMOP2). A general clinical profile including BP, Tongue and Pulse will be recorded. The MYMOP2 questionnaire (Paterson 1998) will be used for monitoring your chosen symptom by scoring the severity (0-6) of it and whether it hinders you from getting on with an activity or wellbeing. You will be given an information sheet on how to fill out this questionnaire after your allocation. Symptom scoring should be done every 2 weeks in the duration of the study. Any side effects should be noted and reported to the researcher and GP. As a token of our appreciation for your time, every participant will be given an individualised report on her nutritional status, including recommendations and menu ideas at the end of the study.

For further information and registration, please call June on 07740786012, or email pmsnutritionstudy@mac.com

Confidentiality
As an informed participant of the PMS Nutrition Study, your personal data will be treated in the utmost strictest confidence and not passed on to others without your prior written consent. The research data will be used solely for the purpose of analysis and evaluation to prove a hypothesis in a Master of Science Nutrition Research Study.