Most researchers agree that PMS is a “biopsychosocial” phenomenon with a complex etiology. Certain physical and psychological symptoms recur regularly at the same phase of each menstrual cycle. PMS symptoms begin after ovulation,  often intensifying as menstruation approaches. Symptoms cease with the onset of menstruation, or bleeding.

Progesterone enhances the receptors of estrogen. When progesterone levels are raised, estrogen receptors become more sensitive so a need for estrogen does not exist. Most women taking estrogen to prevent hot flashes and vaginal dryness find after 4 months of using progesterone cream vaginal dryness and hot flushes subside.

Nor is it a strange form of mental illness. Women with PMS feel as if they have suddenly lost their minds when, in fact, they are psychologically healthy. Although they are in good physical health, women can also feel quite ill for several days during their menstrual cycle.

Western medicine is dived into illnesses—a physical problem, infection, injury to the body, or a psychological problem. If no evidence of abnormality shows up on lab tests or x-rays, the problem is assumed to be psychological. The main symptoms of Fibromyalgia are fatigue and pain. Fatigue and pain are very subjective symptoms.

There is no clear explanation for what causes the disorder of Fibromyalgia. In some cases, Fibromyalgia symptoms appear in the wake of viral illness or physical or emotional trauma; in many cases, however, the symptoms materialize for no apparent reason. Whatever the reason, known or not, Fibromyalgia can be treated effectively.

The best explanation for the sudden and dramatic rise of Fibromyalgia is the tools of medicine have only very recently discovered what has historically been referred to as the “vapors,” “nerves,” or “hysteria.” There is also no objective marker of Fibromyalgia and no laboratory test. Only recently has a criteria been developed to identify this condition. In reality Fibromyalgia has been with us as long as man and woman have been with us.

Bone loss accelerates considerably after menopause often reaching the alarming rate of 1% to 1.5% annually. Progesterone not only slows bone loss, but can actually reverse it by encouraging osteoblasts to be more active.

In their mid-forties the woman’s number of estrogen-producing follicles dwindles significantly. Some months, the ovaries are able to produce enough estrogen to stimulate endometrial growth, but not enough to trigger the LH surge causing ovulation. A woman will then miss or skip a period altogether. If she ovulates the next month, period may be heavier than usual, as the endometrium has been growing for a longer time. This tyically signals the beginning of perimenopause.