If you are a woman who suffers monthly from mood swings, anxiety, depression and other symptoms, you have probably been advised that caffeine and PMS are a bad combination. But, you may be wondering what the connection is between caffiene and PMS symptoms. Here is a brief overview of caffeine and the general effects it has on the body, specifically related to premenstrual symptoms.
Caffeine is a drug. It is a psychoactive drug, meaning that it has affects on the brain. It also has effects on the body, including increased heart rate, blood pressure and sweating. The belief that caffeine and PMS are a bad combination is related mostly to the effects it has on the brain, but also to the effects that it has on the body.
The symptoms of PMS vary from one woman to the next. The majority of women suffer from some mild symptoms that may not be completely avoidable. However, symptoms like anxiety or nervousness, irritability, fatigue, trouble sleeping and depression could be directly related to the over use or abuse of caffiene and PMS symptoms like these could be completely avoidable. Rather than looking at total caffeine intake among women suffering from these symptoms, many doctors prescribe a drug, usually an anti-depressant, to counteract the symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of overuse of caffeine and PMS symptoms are very similar. Prolonged intake of large amounts of caffeine over an extended period of time can cause anxiety and nervousness, irritability and insomnia. Continued use and large overdoses (typically in excess of 2-3 cups of brewed coffee) can lead to depression. PMS fatigue can lead women to consume even more caffeine to temporarily increase energy and ability to concentrate, which in turn leads to trouble sleeping or poor quality of sleep. Waking up the next day, finding that fatigue has increased and relying on caffeine to get through that day and on and on...
In order to determine the relationship between caffiene and PMS symptoms in your case, first look at your total daily intake of caffeine. According to research conducted by the US Department of Nutritional Services, a 5 ounce cup of coffee contains 47-164mg of caffeine depending on the method of preparation, with instant containing the list and automatic drip containing the most. Suppose you stop at your favorite convenience store and buy their 24 ounce special, drink the whole cup before lunch and you got about 780mg of caffeine. More than 250mg can cause acute overdose. But, coffee is not the only source of caffeine and PMS symptoms may lead to a woman unwittingly increasing her intake.
If you are premenstrual and you are bloated, you may use an over the counter diuretic. Aqua Ban, for example, contains 200mg of caffeine in a standard dose. If you have a headache or other body aches, you might pick up Excedrin (130mg of caffeine) or Midol (64mg of caffeine). You wash it down with a coke or diet coke and you get another 46mg per 12 ounces. Mr Pibb and Mountain Dew contain even more.
There are numerous other sources of caffeine including chocolate, black tea, green tea, appetite suppressants, nasal decongestants, energy drinks and prescription drugs. It is extremely difficult to estimate the maximum amount of caffeine that a person can safely consume per day, because of differences in weight and sensitivity and the time it takes for the caffeine to be excreted from the body. But, it is safe to assume that if you are nervous, feel overstressed, overworked, fatigued and irritable or depressed, you could be suffering from the effects of caffeine.
Other health risks not directly associated with caffiene and PMS symptoms, but still worth mentioning because they are directly related to women?s issues include a recent study that suggests that even low doses of caffeine can negatively affect a developing fetus. Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which found that women who drank Coke, Pepsi and other caramel-colored sodas an average of 4 times per week had more brittle bones, more osteoporosis and lower bone mineral density regardless of age, menopausal status, calcium or vitamin D intake, cigarette or alcohol use. In addition, some studies have shown that there is some relationship between estrogen and caffeine, indicating that women may be even more sensitive to caffeine during PMS when estrogen levels are at their lowest.
If you are currently drinking a lot of caffeinated beverages, cut back slowly. Suddenly reducing caffeine intake causes withdrawal symptoms, including headache. All of the studies conducted thus far concerning the use of caffeine and PMS symptoms conclude that avoiding caffeine can help. There are many herbal and botanical remedies that provide PMS relief without caffeine.
