LONDON - Pre menstrual tension, which has been blamed for turning women into murderers and arsonists at a certain time of the month, is all in the mind, according to new research from Australia.
But the doctor credited with inventing the term PMT 40 years ago - it is now known as pre menstrual syndrome, or PMS - a gynaecological endocrinologist, Dr Katharina Dalton, said on Sunday the study was only half correct. "It is perfectly right that a heck of a lot of women use PMS as an excuse, but that doesn't mean it does not exist," said Dr Dalton, who has given decisive evidence in about 50 trials.
The Australian study was conducted by two psychologists who monitored women who believed they suffered from PMS, together with two control groups made up of women who did not claim to suffer and of men. They found all three groups were susceptible to mood swings and difficulties at work.
The researchers suggest women who claim to be suffering from PMS are instead affected by random depression or irritability triggered by social or health problems. PMS, they conclude is a myth.
Not so, says Dr Dalton, who founded and, until last year, worked at a PMS clinic at University College Hospital, London. "There are more physical symptoms than psychological symptoms," she said. The problem arose from an inability of the body to use the hormone progesterone properly.
Sufferers had a lot of adrenalin, which made them tense and irritable. Among the problems they experienced were headaches, epilepsy and skin disorders.
The treatment involved an improved diet and then progesterone supplements.