Of the many remedies available to women for dealing with the many symptoms of pms (pre-menstrual syndrome) Folic Acid or Vitamin B9 is one of the lesser known. What is the effect of folic acid (Vitamin B9) in the menstrual cycle and to relieve menstrual problems? Does folic acid (Vitamin B9) help with menstrual cramps? Does it help with headaches, bloating or mood swings? If folic acid helps with pms, which of the many symptoms does it impact?

Premenstrual Syndrome or pms is caused by the hormonal imbalance that occurs in two of the early stages of the menstrual cycle. The Follicular phase of the cycle sees a dramatic increase in the amount of estrogen in the body. Then the next stage, the Luteal phase sees an increase in progesterone that decreases the estrogen. Both of these changes cause a hormonal imbalance that produces all or most of the symptoms of pms. Some of the pms symptoms are affected by vitamin deficiencies as well.

So what is folic acid (Vitamin B9) and what benefits does it afford for women? Does it have any side effects? What is the recommended dosage for menstrual pain relief?

It would be good to first look at the symptoms of pms and what is usually recommended treatment for these symptoms from the medical professional. In addition to the cramps, headaches, bloating and mood swings mentioned earlier, women can also suffer from food cravings, back pain, acne, weight gain, light sensitivity, vomiting, nausea, anxiety and depression.

Physicians dealing with these complaints from menstruating women usually prescribe either prescription or over the counter analgesics or pain medications, NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Motrin, Advil, Tylenol or over the counter versions of these plus Pamprin and Midol. Doctors also recommend heating pads, rest and antacids. All of which usually end up costing women time off from work or activities with their children or other activities they are looking forward to for one to two weeks EVERY month. These are not cures; some of them are not even very effective treatments.

So when these treatments fail women, where can they turn? Many women turn to vitamin therapies, herbal therapies or a combination of vitamin, herbal and mineral therapy. This is where folic acid (Vitamin B9) comes into play. Folic Acid is a member of the very powerful B vitamin family or what is known as the B complex of vitamins. Folic Acid is seldom called by its B vitamin name of Vitamin B9. Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) is a key player in dozens of metabolic processes in the human body.

In respect to pms symptoms, folic acid (Vitamin B9) can be used in the treatment of mood swings, depression and anxiety. Because folic acid helps stimulate blood flow it is also important in the treatment of migraine headaches that often occur with pms. If too much sugar is consumed during pms due to food cravings, folic acid (Vitamin B9) can help to restore the proper blood sugar balance. As the woman’s body continually sheds old cells during menstruation, folic acid makes new cells as part of its normal role in the body. It has also been shown to prevent birth defects and to help control blood pressure. A deficiency in folic acid is known to cause anemia which many women suffer from during their menstrual cycle as well.

So where can we find folic acid? It is naturally found in green, leafy vegetables – leafy lettuces and greens, spinach, broccoli and peas. Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is also found in fruits and dry beans. Asparagus, lentils, Great Northern beans, pinto beans, egg yolks, dry roasted peanuts and sunflower seeds also contain dietary folic acid (Vitamin B9). There are also many foods that are fortified to contain folic acid (Vitamin B9) as well. These are usually grains such as cereal, breads, and pasta. Fruits high in folic acid include grapefruit, bananas, avocados, pineapple, oranges, papaya and cantaloupe. Organ meats such as beef or chicken livers and hearts are also a good source of folic acid (Vitamin B9).

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for folic acid (Vitamin B9) is between 400 mcg and 600 mcg.

There are not a lot of studies of folic acid alone in respect to premenstrual syndrome and its symptoms. Most studies involved more than one vitamin or supplement when evaluating the effects on pms in most women. Women of child bearing age and pregnant women pose a greater risk for a folic acid deficiency than others do. Folic acid has been shown to help pregnant women with food cravings and weight gain. It can be surmised from this that folic acid can also help with the food cravings and weight gains that women suffer through during pre-menstrual syndrome.

In fact, “health officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that all women of childbearing age take folic acid (0.4 mg daily) to protect their future newborns from developing a neural tube defect, an anomaly of the spinal cord,” writes Burton Goldberg in Alternative Medicine. www.naturalnews.com/016208.html

Folic acid has been found to help with depression and anxiety. This is because it works in the nervous system and brain and it is a necessary component in the making of norepinephrine and serotonin. Without folic acid a woman is susceptible to insomnia, anemia and more. Most Americans routinely get about 60% of the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) in folic acid so a woman in her menstrual cycle will need to be sure they supplement it. You can do this by eating more vegetable based food than meat based food as there is more folic acid in vegetables.

” Dr. Andrew Weil, in Ask Dr. Weil, recommends the use of supplements to make up for the deficiency. “As many as 90 percent of Americans don’t get that protective 400 micrograms in their diet – for example, you’d have to eat two cups of steamed spinach, a cup of boiled lentils, or eight oranges every day. So it’s important to take a supplement, especially if you’re a woman and considering having children someday.” www.naturalnews.com/016208.html

The importance of folic acid for women who are menstruating is pretty obvious. You can increase the intake of this vital vitamin through the food you eat of more effectively through a supplement. It is also easier to make sure you get the correct dose of Vitamin B9 or folic acid, by taking it in a supplement with other vitamins, minerals and herbs to counter the pms symptoms so many women experience.

We believe that the best way to benefit from the effectiveness of folic acid on pms is to take it in conjunction with other vitamins, herbs and minerals that help ease the symptoms of pms. One of the best products in this line is Period Vitamin. There is a wide variety of herbs, vitamins and minerals that counter attack the hormonal imbalance that occurs in the early stages of menstrual cycle. ,

Some of the most important elements of Period Vitamin that are designed specifically to fight pms are Chaste Berry, Black Cohosh, Calcium, White Willow Bark, Evening Primrose, Cranberry, Red Raspberry, Cramp Bark and a variety of vitamins. Some of the vitamins that are included are the B complex vitamins in addition to folic acid, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.  Iron and Wild Yam are also included in this premenstrual syndrome treatment.

It is best to take a supplement like Period Vitamin at least two weeks prior to the start of your menstrual cycle. You will want to be sure you have the supplements in your system before you hit the premenstrual, follicular and luteal stages of the cycle. Period Vitamin is known to help women deal with many of symptoms of pms including bloating, cramps, mood swings, headaches and backaches. It also helps treat period associated acne, food cravings, weight gain and fluid retention. Period Vitamin is your best bet to deal with these symptoms and more.