Yoga has been shown to be effective in the treatment of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).

The typical symptoms of PMS are, in the week before a monthly period:

 

  • psychological stress,
  • depression,
  • body aches, and
  • bloating.

The study was conducted by Dr Ratna Sharma at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. The study involved 40 women, half of whom suffered PMS. The women practised yoga five times a week for a month. Questionnaires completed before and after the yoga showed that 64% of those who suffered PMS showed significant improvement (ie. about 13 out of the 20 who suffered PMS). And, Dr Sharma said that,

“The women with the worst psychological symptoms benefited most”.

Hormone testing before and after the course showed that hormone levels were affected (allopregnanolone was the hormone involved).

This is the good news part of the story. A very cheap intervention, readily available to most women, will probably help most women with PMS.

How was this evidence received?
Dr Sue Reddish, medical director of the Jean Hailes Medical Centre for Women in Melbourne, said. “If yoga is enough to help a particular person that’s good, but I doubt it’s enough for the majority of women with severe PMS,”. “And I really can’t see how yoga would alter your hormone levels.”

So much for evidence! Never let information disrupt existing practice! This is the bad news part of the story - the reluctance of the medical establishment to change.