This month’s case study is 27 year old ‘Melanie’ who came to the Clinic with amenorrhoea (absence of periods)

I had taken the contraceptive pill during my early twenties to regulate my periods which worked, but when I stopped taking it, my periods did not return. Three years on I still hadn’t had a period and I went back to my doctor because I was worried about the longer term effects on not having periods. I had read that I might experience difficulties conceiving and the risk of developing osteoporosis may be increased. I went to my doctor to discuss this and he dismissed these concerns and just recommended I go back on the Pill to bring a cycle back. I knew this was only going to give me a ‘false’ period and it would only mask any underlying hormone imbalance so I decided against it. I asked to be referred for further investigation. I had an ultrasound scan which showed I had polycystic ovaries, but it was all very vague and I had no real explanation as to what it meant. I had also stated to gain weight around my middle which I found distressing.

 

I was talking to a work colleague who had mentioned that she had been to see a nutritionist at The Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic for natural support to help her irregular periods and she had made changes to her diet and taken vitamins and minerals and herbal remedies. Within six months her cycle had regulated without having to take the Pill as recommended by her doctor.

 

I phoned the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic and spoke to one of the nutritionists to make sure that they could help with my condition. She explained that hormone imbalance is one of the main areas they deal with and recommended I book a consultation. Having spoken to her it really excited me to think I was being proactive by trying to help myself naturally rather than just taking the easy option by going on the Pill.

 

Before the first appointment I was sent a comprehensive questionnaire which allowed me to write down my main areas of concern and where I needed help and my current diet. My diet in fact was generally very good because I had been to see a naturopath about a year ago. However, I knew there was always room for improvement!

 

During my initial consultation the nutritionist went through my questionnaire thoroughly with me. She had already looked through it and made notes which made me confident that she knew why I was coming. After going through my menstrual history and finding out that I had been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries the nutritionist explained that sometimes women, especially younger women under 30 are diagnosed with this condition when in fact a young woman should appear to have lots of cysts (follicles) on the ovaries and as we get older the follicles become less as egg production declines. She gave me the option of getting a second opinion which I agreed to so she referred me to have another ultrasound scan. The scanning equipment was amazing – 3D colour and it confirmed what the nutritionist said – I didn’t have polycystic ovaries – but simply healthy active ovaries! She also explained that a blood test was needed in conjunction with the scan to check my hormones and this came back normal. I was relieved, yet frustrated because I wanted to know why my periods had stopped.

 

The nutritionist explained that periods can take a while to come back having been on the Pill long term, but fundamentally nothing was wrong with me. She recommended I use herbs to try and reinstate a period. I said that I had used Agnus Castus but it didn’t work. She recommended an herbal formula which she explained was often more effective than using single herbs because they have a more nurturing effect on the whole menstrual cycle. She also explained that the herbs she was going to recommend  were more potent and better quality than the herbs you could freely by over the counter. She did warn me that the herbs may taste bitter, but I was so desperate to get my periods back I didn’t care!!

 

I went away and followed the programme. Because my diet was already quite good, it was the supplements and herbs that seemed to make more of a difference. The only area that the nutritionist commented on in regards to my diet was the long periods I was leaving in between eating. I should be eating every three hours in order to keep my blood sugar levels stable and also have a positive effect on my hormone balance. I was going 5 or 6 hours most of the time, partly due to my busy job and lifestyle but also because I thought I would lose weight by eating less and not having any snacks. She suggested always eating some protein with my snacks so an apple and some nuts for example or oatcakes and nut butter.

 

Within 8 weeks I had a period which was absolutely amazing! I hadn’t had a period in 3 years so to get one was almost like a miracle! I phoned the clinic just to let the nutritionist know what had happened and she told me to continue with everything until my next appointment.

 

I couldn’t believe it, by my second appointment I had already had two periods 28 days apart. The nutritionist explained that the herbs work primarily on my pituitary gland which essentially controls how my hormones work and they have a long lasting effect.

 

I’m now 12 months on and I’ve had regular 28 day menstrual cycles and no longer taking the herbs. I feel so much more in control and so pleased to have a period back without having to take the Pill. Not only has my cycle returned, I have lost weight from around my tummy which has really helped my confidence. It seems strange because I am eating so much more and the weight is steadily coming off. I’m a lot more aware of eating protein and making a conscious effort to eat every 3 hours.

 

I wish I had visited the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic sooner, but I suppose time goes so quickly it is easy to lose track of time!

 

 

Marilyn’s Comments

 

Melanie’s story is remarkable and so inspiring to see just how powerful nutrition can be. We often see similar cases in our clinic where young girls are experiencing menstrual problems –whether that is no periods at all or perhaps they have become irregular. The conventional medical approach is to address this is with the contraceptive pill, as Melanie was offered, but this only covers up any potential underlying hormone imbalance so as soon as the Pill is stopped, the hormonal problems often kick back in.

 

With a lack of periods for such a long time as Melanie experienced, it is certainly very important to have this investigated by a doctor, however, once you have a diagnosis, there are many options available if you feel that taking the Pill isn’t right for you.

 

If you would like to find out more about our clinics in London and Tunbridge Wells, Kent then please call 0870 5329244.

Q: Every month about six or so days before my period, my breasts get really swollen and feel tender and I am in constant pain because of it. The pain eases before my period starts but I’d like to know if there are any natural therapies that I could use to stop it happening in the first place?

A: Breast swelling and pain in the week or so before your period is a normal reaction to fluctuating hormone levels. You may find it hard to hug or sleep because you can’t find a comfortable position. Try the recommendations below:

 

Studies have shown that women who live in Asian countries don’t have the same degree of breast discomfort, and diet is the crucial factor here. The diet of most Asian women tends to rely less on processed and saturated fatty food. So the first step is to eat healthily and especially make sure you get your phytoestrogens, found in foods such as soya, chickpeas and lentils. The diet of Asian women is high in phytoestrogens which help keep hormones in balance.

 

Cut down on foods and drinks containing caffeine. They have been shown to increase problems with tender breasts. The active ingredients in caffeine are called ‘methylxanthines’ and they have been proved to increase problems with painful, lumpy and tender breasts. These methylxanthines are found in coffee, black tea, green tea, chocolate, cola and even decaffeinated coffee, as well as in medications that contain caffeine, such as headache remedies.

  

You should also increase your fibre intake. Research has shown that there may be a link between constipation and a painful breast conditions called fibrocystic breast disease. So make sure you drink enough water and have a good intake of fibre to ensure regularity. You may also like to sprinkle some flaxseed on your cereal in the morning. Don’t, however, include bran in your diet. Bran can make things worse because it contains substances called phylates which can interfere with the absorption of important PMS beating nutrients, like magnesium and calcium.

 

Vitamin E has been shown to reduce breast pain and tenderness in many studies. Eat foods rich in vitamin E, such as oats, sunflower oil, whole grains, soya oil and leafy green vegetables. You may also like to take a supplement for a couple of months to give you a kick start. (See the Resources Page for a good vitamin E supplement).

 

Eat some live yogurt every day. Breast tenderness may be related to an excess of oestrogen and the beneficial bacteria in live yogurt can help to reabsorb old hormones and also to increase the efficiency of your bowel movements (or you can take a probiotic supplement like BioKult see the Resources Page).  I would suggest you avoid many of the probiotic drinks as they can be loaded with sugar.

 

Increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, have been found to relieve breast tenderness and fluid retention. Take fish oil capsules or eat more fish or sprinkle linseeds and hemp seeds on to your salads and soups. (see the Resources Page for Omega 3 Plus fish oil supplement.)

 

The B vitamins are of particular value if you suffer from breast tenderness because they help your liver break down excess oestrogen. Improve your intake of B vitamin foods so think about taking a B complex supplement for a couple of months.

 

Older studies showed that supplementing your diet with evening primrose containing GLA (gamma linoleic acid) could reduce breast discomfort, although more recent studies have not backed this up. Do bear in mind though that evening primrose oil needs to be taken for about three months to be effective so you need to be patient.

 

Taking linseeds has also been shown to be effective according to a study by Dr Tong Li of the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto Canada. Patients reported a significant reduction in symptoms after supplementing 25g of ground linseed daily during a three month study, with benefits being seen after two months. Researchers suggested the reason for this is the ability of linseeds to act as an antioestrogen on breast tissue. You can buy linseeds (flaxseeds) at your local health food store – grind them in a coffee grinder and sprinkle on food or you can buy them already to eat as crushed, organic cold milled flaxseeds, the one I use in the clinic is clled Fortiflax – see the Resources Page).

 

A number of essential aromatherapy oils, such as lavender, fennel and juniper can encourage lymphatic drainage and help relieve breast pain by helping to regulate hormones. Massage them on your breasts putting one drop of your chosen oil on a teaspoon of carrier oil such as sweet almond or sunflower or use a few drops in your bath.

 

Finally, the herb Ginkgo Biloba has proved to be effective according to a French study where women with PMS breast tenderness taking Ginkgo Biloba reported less pain that those taking a placebo. Other helpful herbs include Agnus Castus to balance hormones and milk thistle to help your liver process oestrogen efficiently, allowing excess to be excreted.  (The organic herbal combination I use in the clinic is called Agnus Castus Plus see the Resources Page which contains agnus castus, milk thistle and other herbs).

The hormonal fluctuations that occur just before your period can cause your kidneys to retain water and salt and this is what makes you feel bloated and heavy. The area under your eyes may also appear puffy and again this is due to temporary water retention. Over the counter remedies are not advised as they can leach valuable nutrients from your body but if you do get fluid retention there are a number of things you can do to help yourself:

First of all cut down on your salt intake. Use less salt in your cooking, watch out for hidden salts in your foods and look for other ways to enhance flavour, for example using herbs and spices instead.

 

Increase your fluid intake. You need to drink more not less to help your body dilute the salt in your tissues and allow you to excrete more salt and fluid. Aim to drink at least 1 litre of water a day.

 

Eat more whole foods. If you are constipated this can make bloating worse, so eat more fibre rich whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables to get your bowels moving.

 

Reduce the amount of caffeine in your diet. Caffeine is a diuretic, but it won’t ease bloating because it hinders the secretion of excess salt and toxins from your body.

 

Make sure your diet includes sufficient B vitamins, especially vitamin B6, found in bananas, fish, nuts, seeds and whole grains, which is a tried and tested remedy for PMS water retention.

 

Eat foods that naturally decrease fluid retention, like asparagus, apple cider vinegar, alfalfa sprouts, and dandelion flowers. And eat more potassium rich food to bring down your body’s sodium level as the two minerals balance each other out. Reach for those bananas, apricots, beans including lentils, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits.

 

Eat papaya: it contains more digestive enzymes than any other fruit and eaten before meals can really aid digestion as well as the metabolism of fat from food.

 

Keep your blood sugar levels in balance. When blood sugar levels drop adrenaline is released to move sugar quickly from your cells into your blood. When the sugar leaves the cells it is replaced by water which contributes to that bloated feeling.

 

Get moving. Moderate exercise will make you sweat and hasten the transport of water through your body.

 

Aromatherapy oils can be helpful with bloating. Add fennel or chamomile to a warm bath and soak for twenty minutes for the best effect. You can also use juniper as a massage oil.

 

Dandelion and parsley are natural herbal diuretics packed with PMS beating nutrients that allow fluid to be released without losing nutrients.

 

Elevate your feet if you are prone to swelling in the ankles. And wear supportive stockings to ease discomfort.

 

(In the clinic I use the herbal combination Agnus Castus Plus, see the Resources Page and for more information on PMS see my book Overcoming PMS the Natural Way).