Oestrogen dominance:- This is where levels of estrogen are higher than normal and/ or progesterone is lower than normal. Other symptoms of estrogen dominance include- decreased sex drive, depression with anxiety or agitation, fat gain (especially abdomen, hips and thighs), fibrocystic breasts, mood swings, PMS and water retention, bloating.

Food sources of estrogen include eggs, potatoes, dairy foods and animal meat. You should try and cut these foods out of your diet. Also view the periods and PMT supplements page to try and combat it.

 

Glucose intollerance:- this can be seen in a craving for sweet foods and stimulants such as caffine. This is a very unlikely cause and the other two possible causes should be looked into before considering this one.

 

A defficiency of important fats, vitamins or minerals:- This is usually linked to different extents to the above two. For example oestrogen dominance and cause magnesium to be lost from the body, and essential fats are important with balancing hormones.

Vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium and essential fatty acids all work together to make prostaglandins which help to balance hormones. These nutrients are the important and supplementing them for 1-2 months is a good idea to try and identify the cause, if you imporve you should then try and eat a diet high in these nutrients, infomation on which can be found at Periods and PMT- diet changes.