ABSTRACT
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a complex combination of a variety of symptoms including mood swings, anxiety, depression, tender breasts and food cravings. For some women the physical pain and emotional stress are severe enough to affect their daily routines and activities. The causes of the premenstrual syndrome have not yet been understood clearly, but have been attributed to hormonal and neuronal dysbalance, diet and lifestyle. Hyperprolactinemia seems to be an important factor which is considered to be part of the endocrine disorder. Different clinical investigations and double blind trials have shown that preparations containing Vitex agnus castus fruit extract are a useful tool to decrease pathophysiologicaly increased prolactin serum levels and though could be an effective treatment for women suffering from premenstrual syndrome.
Subject(s)
Phytotherapy , Premenstrual Syndrome/drug therapy , Vitex/chemistry , Adult , Female , Humans , Hyperprolactinemia/complications , Hyperprolactinemia/drug therapy , Premenstrual Syndrome/pathology , Young AdultABSTRACT
The isoflavones are "phytoprotectants" which had been subject of considerable scientific research in recent years. Beside the health benefits related to menopausal problems there is an interest in the possible preventive role concerning cancer, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Inspite of having a large amount of data providing positive evidence there still remain questions concerning the role of the isoflavones in nutritional prevention and therapy. With regard to this there should be taken a reference to the bioavailability and metabolism of the isoflavones and the fact that there are remarkable interindividual differences which could be influenced to a great extent by the composition of intestinal flora. This variation in the metabolism of soy isoflavones might cause differences in the beneficial effects of soy foods and isoflavones and therefore this should be considered in science and practice.
