Premenstrual Syndrome – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Premenstrual Syndrome – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. Additionally, Premenstrual Syndrome is a condition that affects a woman’s emotions, physical health, and behavior during certain days of the menstrual cycle , usually before menstruation . Premenstrual Syndrome is a very common condition. Its symptoms affect up to 85 percent of menstruating women. It must disrupt some aspect of your life for your doctor to diagnose you.

Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome begin five to 11 days before menstruation and usually disappear when menstruation begins. Estrogen and progesterone levels increase at certain times of the month.

An increase in these hormones can cause mood swings, anxiety and irritability. Ovarian steroids also modulate activity in parts of your brain associated with premenstrual symptoms.

Serotonin levels affect mood. Serotonin is a chemical in your brain  and gut that affects your moods, emotions and thoughts.

Causes of Premenstrual Syndrome: The cause of Premenstrual Syndrome is unknown. However, many researchers believe it is related to a change in sex hormone and serotonin levels early in the menstrual cycle .

Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome: A woman’s menstrual cycle lasts an average of 28 days. Ovulation, the period when an egg is released from the ovaries, occurs on day 14 of the cycle. menstruation , or bleeding, occurs on day 28 of the cycle. Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome can start around day 14 and last up to seven days after menstruation starts .

The symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome are usually mild or moderate. Nearly 80 percent of women report one or more symptoms that do not substantially affect daily functioning, according to the journal American Family Physician.

20 to 32 percent of women report moderate to severe symptoms that affect some aspect of their lives. 3 to 8 percent report painful premenstrual syndrome . The severity of symptoms can vary individually and by month. Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome include:

  • abdominal swelling
  • Abdominal pain
  • wounds
  • Acne
  • Food cravings, especially for sweets
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Anxiety
  • depression
  • Sadness
  • emotional outbursts

Premenstrual Syndrome Diagnoses: See your doctor if physical pain, mood swings, and other symptoms begin to affect your daily life or if your symptoms don’t go away. The diagnosis is made when you have more than one recurring symptom in the correct time frame that is severe enough to cause impairment and is absent between menstruation and ovulation. Your doctor should also rule out other causes, such as:

  • Anemia
  • endometriosis
  • thyroid disease
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Connective tissue or rheumatologic diseases

Your doctor may ask about any history of depression or mood disorders in your family to determine if your symptoms are the result of PMS or another condition. Some conditions, such as IBS, hypothyroidism, and pregnancy , have symptoms similar to Premenstrual Syndrome .

Your doctor may do a thyroid hormone test to make sure your thyroid gland is working properly, a pregnancy test, and possibly a pelvic exam to check for gynecological issues.

Keeping a diary of your symptoms is another way to determine if you have PMS . Use a calendar to track your symptoms and period each month. If your symptoms start around the same time each month, PMS is a likely cause.

Long-Term Perspective of Premenstrual Syndrome: The symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome can recur but usually disappear after menstruation starts . A healthy lifestyle and a comprehensive treatment plan can reduce or eliminate symptoms for most women.

As a woman approaches menopause, ovulatory cycles become sporadic as ovarian sex hormone production declines. The result of this is a heterogeneous and somewhat unpredictable course of symptoms.

Water muddying is the use of hormone therapy to treat some of the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, which can change symptoms. As menopause approaches, women should see their doctor if symptoms change or new symptoms are generated.

Premenstrual Syndrome Treatments: Treatment for Premenstrual Syndrome varies greatly. Your doctor may recommend:

  • Daily exercise
  • Vitamin supplements such as calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B-6
  • A caffeine-free diet
  • Individual or group counseling
  • stress management classes
  • Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablet

If your PMS symptoms still don’t improve, your doctor may give you a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant. This medication increases serotonin levels in your brain and has many roles in regulating brain chemistry that is not limited to depression .

Your doctor may also suggest cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a form of counseling that can help you understand your thoughts and feelings and change your behavior accordingly.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *