Tag: 24. Oktober 2023

If you suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), you’ve probably been told more times than you care to remember that it’s all just part of being a person who menstruates. But research has been mounting for a long time that PMS isn’t just something some of us have to tolerate. And, in fact, suffering from severe PMS could be an indicator of other treatable health issues, such as endometriosis or fibroids.

A new study has found that a significantly higher number of people with severe PMS symptoms reach menopause at a slightly younger age (averaging at 40.7 years).

As if they haven’t suffered enough, those people were also more likely to have worse menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, than those who didn’t suffer from severe PMS.

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Researchers don’t have a full understanding of the link between PMS and menopause just yet, but they think it might have something to do with pre-existing hormone levels, with PMS believed to be caused by a drop in estrogen and progesterone, and menopause symptoms being linked with a drop in estrogen. They’re hoping further research will look into the root cause of both conditions to investigate the link.

Women’s health expert Dr Amy Carmichael says, “Given the prevalence of PMS, [if you’re concerned] it’s worthwhile checking your symptoms with your health professional and possibly having some testing.”

Before you have to think about menopause, you might want to consider relieving those PMS symptoms. Dr Carmichael says treatment approaches should be tailored for each person. 

“Treatment can be complex due to the need to pinpoint the precise hormone imbalance as well as various other factors influencing the situation, including nutrients,” she says. 

“There are four distinct clinical profiles, often interconnected with the hormonal patterns we observe. Inadequate progesterone function is linked to mood swings, pain, fluid retention, and breast tenderness. Excessive estrogen leads to inflammation and pelvic congestion. Excessive testosterone is associated with amenorrhea (missed cycles) and acne. Reduced estrogen activity often relates to symptoms experienced during mid-life menopause.”

Dr Carmichael says the treatment approaches will vary as well, but common approaches include lifestyle modifications (including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management), over-the-counter pain relief, and hormonal birth control pills.

“I personally use a holistic lifestyle approach,” she says, “so as well as a low-fat, high-fibre diet, which has been shown to reduce estrogen levels, I also consider nutrients like B6, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. 

“Fatty acids deserve a mention too, because a deficiency has been hypothesised to alter prolactin and other hormonal messengers promoting PMS. Evening primrose oil has been well studied as a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid which is needed for prostaglandin synthesis and balanced hormones. Chasteberry (vitex) has also been used since Egyptian times and in the past 50 years often in Western cultures for PMS.”

Dr Carmichael adds that it’s important to consider other health issues in relation to any treatment for PMS, including adrenal health (stress), thyroid issues, iron deficiency, and poor sleep. Be sure to mention them to your doctor.

Having a healthcare provider you feel comfortable with can also help you to take a longer-term approach to your reproductive healthcare. It’s also important to not be taken by surprise by menopause if you’re still considering trying to get pregnant. Dr Carmichael says having that knowledge early means you can consider your options. 

“If women are aware of the possibility of early menopause, they can make informed decisions about their reproductive health and consider fertility preservation like freezing eggs or embryos,” she says.

Dr Carmichael adds that a range of treatment approaches are available that can help ease the symptoms when menopause does hit, including lifestyle factors, diet, nutrition, herbs, and hormone replacement therapy.

And if menopause does come knocking earlier than you expert, it’s not the end of the world – it’s just a transition to a different phase of life. 

“Early menopause doesn’t mean an end to your vitality,” says Dr Carmichael. “Effective treatments and support are available. Having open conversations with healthcare professionals and seeking emotional support from friends, family, or support groups can make the transition smoother.”

If you’re experiencing pain and discomfort as a result of PMS or menopause – or you haven’t had those conditions confirmed by a healthcare practitioner, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Pain that disrupts your life, or gets in the way of your work, daily activities, or relationships isn’t normal, and you don’t have to tolerate it. If you’re not satisfied with one healthcare provider, try another one, and don’t give up until you get the help you deserve. 

The prospect of being diagnosed with any type or stage of cancer is a terrifying prospect for any individual, regardless of age, gender or access to treatment options. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 7 Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, with 1 in 500 men joining the statistics. 

The high diagnosis numbers, while harrowing, reflect the substantial improvements to screening methods, and an overall increase in awareness amongst women at risk. And though we are privileged to live in a decade and country with exceptional access to medical detection and treatments, regular self-checks remain an important weapon in the ongoing fight against breast cancer. 

Pink Hope, a hereditary cancer charity dedicated to spreading awareness about breast cancer amongst Australian women, has published the results of a recent survey, with the statistics painting a grave picture of our nation’s preventative health knowledge.

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Too self-conscious to self-check

The study has revealed one of the biggest barriers preventing women from conducting regular self-checks at home is low body confidence. Surveying a nationally representative sample of over 1,000 Australian women aged 18 years and older, the statistics show an alarming number of participants fail to check their bodies in line with the recommended frequency due to feeling triggered by feelings of insecurity. 

“I know it can be hard to stand in front of the mirror and conduct a self-check, especially if you don’t love the reflection staring back at you, but what I can tell you, as a woman diagnosed with breast cancer at 29, is that there is great empowerment in learning to self-check and feeling confident that you know your body and are taking control of your health,” shares Sarah Powell, CEO of Pink Hope.

One in four Gen Z women cited low body confidence as the main barrier, indicating the issue may be tied to generational trends. Of the women who reported moderate to strong body confidence, only 65 per cent claimed to regularly self-check, suggesting low confidence is not the only barrier contributing to these numbers. 52 per cent of the total women surveyed reported forgetfulness as the most common reason for forgetting to check their bodies for signs of cancer.

“Adult women of all ages should be performing breast self-checks at least once every six weeks as a proactive measure,” says Powell. “It’s one of the most powerful, and accessible ways to ensure early detection of breast cancer. 

The signs and symptoms to look out for

Reinforced by numerous popular culture references, most people have been acutely trained to interpret a mysteriously appearing lump as cause for concern. However, as the research indicates, many women are not so aware of the other telltale symptoms and signs of breast cancer, such as swelling, a rash, or nipple inversion. 

Only one in three women reported feeling moderately confident in knowing what symptoms to look out for during a self-check, with 91 per cent recognising a lump to be a telling sign. “A staggering 44 per cent didn’t know that nipple inversion was a sign to look for, while 43 per cent didn’t know that a rash could be a symptom,” explains Powell.

Furthermore, the research revealed many women’s low body confidence extends to their decision to seek medical advice, causing many to delay visiting their doctor for as long as a month after discovering something suspicious. 

“Waiting as long as a month to seek medical attention after discovering something concerning could have huge implications on the stage of diagnosis and treatment options available. And, while often it may well be nothing to worry about, it’s important to seek medical advice quickly to ensure the best possible outcome,” Powell explains.

At the close of ​​Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s more important than ever to take ownership of your health. Any noticeable change should be reported to your GP, who can provide professional advice and a more reliable diagnosis. 

For a helping hand, sign up for Pink Hope’s automated self-check reminder, taking the pressure off remembering for yourself. The reminder also provides tips to ensure a thorough self-examination, including what signs and symptoms to look out for. Sign up for the reminder here.