PMS, Hot Flashes and Breast Tenderness: What They Have In Common

PMS, cyclical mood swings, menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, hot flashes, low libido, breast tenderness, cyclical headaches, peri- and post-menopausal weight gain, acne. What a list! What do these symptoms have in common? All refer to the female body. Most importantly, you don’t need to experience them!

Over the years, I have found that, as women, we have often gotten the idea that we must simply endure many of these symptoms. Thus, I have noticed that these are the experiences my patients most often neglect to share when telling me their concerns. When asked specifically, responses may be, “Well, for one or two days a month I have so much pain that I have to cancel everything and stay in bed with a heating pad”, or “My mom had hot flashes for years so I figure that’s just how it’s going to be."

Your doctor's perspective is different. For your doctor, these symptoms are windows into how your body is functioning, indications that some system is not functioning properly. Often, the body is taking energy and resources from one place to support a need or a deficiency elsewhere.  My job is twofold:  to help decipher the messages and to find the best way to support your body in finding its natural state of ease.

This being said, it should come as no surprise that everything in the body is interconnected.  Thus, if one organ or gland isn’t working properly, it affects all the other systems.  If one enzymatic pathway is challenged, it starts to challenge other pathways. It is similar to a gardener dealing with a leaky hose; the sooner she discovers the source of the leak, the sooner your body can turn off its alarms and return to focusing on pleasanter things. For instance, your body can now focus on what to do with all its extra energy or enjoy the morning glow on the gorgeous sunlit hills.

Dr. Ajana Miki