Crankiness, irritability, malaise, and general depression are traits we can each claim from time to time. Unfortunately, these moods often come on like clockwork around the time of our periods. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) has been around since Eve, only we just didn't call it PMS. I think we called it "Stay away from Mom this week" or some such thing. Too bad we didn't understand PMS or even the effects of Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) or we would have been slipping it to her like clockwork ourselves!
Well, EPO is the oil derived from the seeds of the Evening Primrose plant technically named Oenothera biennis from the Primrose family Onagraceae. The oil is important because it has a high concentrate of both Linoleic Acid and Gamma-Linolenic Acid. These acids are important to us at all times, however PMS can inhibit the production of Gamma-Linolenic Acid, putting us at risk for mood shifts.
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) is normally manufactured within the body, but if it is blocked (as it is during a few days of our cycle) then it can be supplemented with the same good effects, hence the necessity for using EPO. Now, you could also get GLA as a supplement in itself rather than the combination EPO presents, but the latter offers a more comprehensive approach to correcting irritable moods.
The dosage of EPO as a supplement is suggested at 2,000-4,000 mg daily, commencing three days prior to the onset of PMS symptoms and continuing until the beginning of menstruation. During perimenopause, ladies have found relief of these same irritating symptoms with the same dosage, although taken continually rather than breaking with periods. After menopause, the dosage can be reduced as symptoms abate.
EPO is a supplement that has become almost common knowledge among women. When I first started taking it, I was actually perimenopausal and absolutely in the "cranky, leave me alone stage" during parts of many days. I remember so clearly driving with my husband thinking about how foul I was feeling and then remembering I was out of EPO. I slapped my leg and said out loud, "No wonder I feel off; I ran out of EPO last week." My husband nearly drove off the road saying in a loud, clear voice, "Can we go get some right now - I mean right this very instant?" This brought out the giggles in both of us. (I guess my foul mood was obvious!) The experience marked my first personal test that EPO helps balance a woman's system and her moods. I had been prescribing it for years to my PMS patients and with many good results but did not take it myself, as I was not a PMS sufferer in my younger life. (Although it begs the question to my husband that maybe I had closet PMS!) This experience marked my first-hand knowledge that EPO really does work in helping ease PMS-related symptoms.
Other Sources of Information as Recommended from Hyperhealth
EPO has many benefits that including help with Raynaud's Syndrome (Segala, M. (editor). Disease Prevention and Treatment 3rd Edition. Life Extension Media. Florida, USA. 2000:634), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Goldberg, B. The holistic approach to chronic fatigue. Nature & Health. 22(2):42-46, 2001), Fibrocystic Breast Disease (Gateley, C. A., et al. Drug treatments for mastalgia: 17 years experience in the Cardiff Mastalgia Clinic. J R Soc Med. 85:12-15, 1992), Mastalgia (Brush, M. G. Evening primrose oil in the treatment of the premenstrual syndrome. In: Clinical Uses of Essential Fatty Acids. Horrobin, D. F. (editor). Eden Press, Montreal, Canada. 1982:155-162), Chronic inflammation (Kunkel, S. L., et al. Suppression of chronic inflammation by evening primrose oil. Prog Lipid Res. 20(1-4):885-888, 1981)
Please Note: As always, it's essential that you check with your healthcare professional before making any changes in your daily health regimen.
As with any health care change, if you are not already using this supplement and/or have further questions, ask your Health Care Professional. All of my physician friends know of this supplement, not all prescribe, but I am sure your Health Care Professional can help you assess whether or not EPO would be of any assistance to you.
About the Author
Dr. Robyn L. Finseth is a practicing Chiropractic Physician in the state of Oregon. She has a Master's degree in Counseling/Psychology and uses both of these degrees in her natural healthcare practice. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, of which her credits include being published in an internationally recognized chiropractic textbook.
My curse is my gift. My nightmares, deep sensitivity, and emotional instability gives the best (and most uncomfortable) inspirations I could ever have. For me, art is passion - and visions are the mirror, which show my feelings and connect me with the rest of the world. Read More...
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