Does tryptophan realty work as a natural mood regulator? In his book The Brain, Richard Result, M.D., describes a number of experiments with volunteers, some of whom took serotonin and some of whom took placebos. Tests were inconclusive. Yes, serotonin improved signs of depression in one test, but no, there was no overall difference in mood alteration in another, “Relating a subtle disorder of the emotions to disruptions in certain key brain neurotransmitters” Is helpful. Dr. Restak reported, but, he added, a decrease of serotonin, for example, can be the result of several causes. “Perhaps,” he says, “not enough of the substance is being synthesized, or too much is being broken down. Or perhaps, it isn’t being released from its storage vesicles. Or the Uptake mechanisms may be overworking.” Each of these ideas opens a host of possible explanations as to why all volunteers did not uniformly feel better, and why some felt no change whatsoever.

Can tryptophan work for you? Body chemistry is unique and tryptophan is not an absolute mood elevator for everyone. If a low serotonin level signals the onset of depression, then it may be worth your while to increase your intake of tryptophan and see if you are improving on it. The results of Dr. Restak’s experiment, in effect, mirror my own observations of tryptophan’s effectiveness. Some of my patients respond to tryptophan supplements and others report that they red no better for having taken them. It is then a matter of experimentation for you, depending on the severity of your menstrual cramps, the degree of sleeplessness, and the extent of mood change.

For the most effective results, take tryptophan forty-five minutes or so before bedtime. Though the tryptophan in milk can help you relax, you’d actually require about six or seven glasses of milk to get the same effect as from a standard dosage in supplement tablets. Keep the dosage within reasonable limits. You can safely rake two 500-mg capsules of tryptophan midcycle if you suffer from mittelschmerz pain; with the familiar stirrings of PMS symptoms or depression that is harder to cope with, increase the dosage up to twice that, or tour capsules a day. Take the first two capsules with a balanced B complex formula pill, whether in tablet or dissolvable brewer’s yeast powder, lake the second two with a warm caffeine-free drink like Pero or Postutn (which are grain-based beverages).

Linking depression or mood swings to a brain chemical as specific as serotonin has not been proved true in all cases in the way that insulin, for example, is irrevocably connected to blood sugar levels. Brain chemistry is still arcane territory, and experiments continue. Meanwhile, many sufferers of endometriosis, unaware of the natural approach, turn to drags.

Many sleep disturbances have led women to rely on chemical palliatives, like sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and antidepressants. For a while Valium was the catch-all pill for PMS and for women who were diagnosed (or undiagnosed) as having endometriosis. Although low-dose tranquilizers may be helpful for chronic sleep disturbances related to pain, I would not recommend them for dairy use. Tranquilizers may become addictive for some women and in others may induce the very symptoms they are meant to relieve. Antidepressants—used for treatment of deeper psychological problems—need not be a consideration at all when women follow the vitamin and mineral guidelines and dietary changes.

If you try the natural approach and you reel yon still need medical assistance in falling asleep, your doctor may prescribe Halcion, a mild insomnia tablet; dosage should be one .25-mg or .5-mg tablet. A mild tranquilizer with the palindromic name of Xanax (alprazolam) can be prescribed in .25-mg and .5-mg tablets.

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Fibroids do not spread outside the uterus and are not a form of cancer. On very rare occasions a fibroid develops into a sarcoma, which is a cancer capable of spreading into various parts of the body. If fibroid growth is exceptionally rapid, a sarcoma may be suspected. Fibroids normally shrink after menopause. This post-menopausal decline in size is an important phenomenon because it means that ‘toughing out’ fibroid problems until menopause provides a solution for some women.

Although widely referred to as fibroids, doctors may also describe these growths as uterine fibroid tumours, uterine leiomyomas, fibroid polyps, fibromas, myomas, fibroleiomyomas or fibromyomas. It has been estimated that around 20% of women over the age of thirty have one or more fibroids in their uterus; but in many cases these do not cause problems and are never discovered. Suspicion about the presence of a fibroid or fibroids in other women may, however, arise if the uterus is inexplicably enlarged or if menstrual periods become consistently heavier than in earlier years.

For about a third of women with fibroids the amount of blood lost during menstruation is a problem that may be accompanied by anaemia. This means there are fewer than normal red blood cells in the bloodstream, leading to a low haemoglobin level and associated fatigue, weakness and, in very severe cases, heart palpitations or heart pain (angina). Even when fibroids are small they can lead to problems of heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, back pain and urinary frequency. The reasons why fibroids sometimes cause pelvic pain are uncertain but may include the twisting of the fibroid back on itself, degenerative changes to or infection of the fibroid, or the growth of a large fibroid which the uterus tries to push out, especially during menstruation.

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Things to think about before a laparotomy

Before your operation it is important that you make sure that you and your gynaecologist agree on the purpose and nature of your surgery and that you have resolved any questions or concerns that you may have. If necessary you should make a special visit to discuss these issues. Ideally, the preparation for your surgery should involve preparing yourself physically and emotionally for the operation itself as well as planning for your recuperation period afterwards.

The healthier you are before surgery the more quickly you are likely to recover afterwards. It might be worthwhile taking a few steps to improve your general health if necessary.

Measures that might be worth considering include eating a nutritious diet, taking vitamin and mineral supplements, particularly vitamins B, E and C, and exercising regularly.

If you are a smoker it would be advisable for you to quit smoking at least one to two days before your operation to reduce the likelihood of anaesthetic complications. If you are taking the oral contraceptive pill it may be best to stop taking it for a month or so before your surgery to reduce the risk of complications, particularly thrombosis. If you are overweight, losing some weight will help reduce the risk of complications.

You should also make sure that you are completely happy with your decision to have the surgery. Do not hesitate to seek the advice and support of others if necessary.

Before you go into hospital you should arrange to have some help with household tasks such as cooking, laundry and cleaning when you return home.

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