Overview
PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome. There are a wide variety of symtoms ranging from fatigue to food cravings. It has been estimated that three out of every four women has experienced some for of PMS in their life. PMS symptoms tend to be very repetitive, and they can range in intensity. There are many different treatments and lifestyle changes that can help you to manage PMS symptoms.
Symptoms:
Tension/Anxiety/Depression
Crying outbursts/Mood Swings/irritability/out bursts of anger
Appetite and thirst changes/ Food Cravings
Trouble sleeping/more frequent naps
Social withdrawl
Change in libido
Bad concentration/confusion
Joint and muscle pains
Headache
Fatigue
Weight gain
Swelling of the hands or feet
Bloating
Breast tenderness
Acne/Skin problems
Constipation/ Diarrhea/abdominal pain
Alcohol intolerance
If your symptoms prevent you from completing your daily activities, then it is recommended to consult a doctor.
PMDD
For most women PMS symptoms stop before the fourth day of their period. However, some women experience symptoms so severe that it becomes disabling. This is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD. Only a small precent of women suffer from PMDD and those that do experience severe symtoms that affect their work and relationships. PMDD can be treated with selective serotonin reutake inhibitors which are used to treat depressionb.
Causes
Though it is unknown exactly what causes PMS some possible contributing factors include:
Cyclic changes in hormones: Symptons of PMS fluctuate with hormones, and dissapear during pregnancy and menopause.
Chemical changes in the brain: Changes in the levels of the hormone sertonin, which is though to greatly effect mood, may trigger PMS symptoms. Without enough serotonin you may experience, depression, fatigue, food cravings, or sleep problems.
Depression: Many women with PMS have undiagnosed depression. While depression on its own can not cause PMS, it can contribute to some of the symptoms.
Diagnosis
There are no lab tests that can determine wether or not you have PMS. Your doctor may attribute one of your symptoms to PMS is it follows a pattern of appearing before your period. In order to determine wether a symptom is part of PMS, your doctor may have you track your period along with any symtoms that you experience. Symptoms must appear within five days before the start of your period, and they must go away within four days after you end your period. For something to be diagnosed as PMS they must interupt some form of daily activities. There are many conditions that appear like PMS including chronic fatigue syndrome, thyroid disorders, perimenopause, irritable bowl syndrome, and mood disorders. Your doctor may offer tests in order to rule these conditions out.
Treatment
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe a medication to help you deal with your PMS symptoms. Some medications that may be prescribed include:
Antidepressents: These medecations can help with mood swings, and other mood related symptoms. This is a common treatment for those with PMDD. Some people take them daily, and others just take them starting from two weeks before their periods.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflamitory drugs: These can be taken before or at the start of your period. These reduce cramping and breast pain.
Diuretics: These can helo your body to remove excess fluids. These help with PMS related swelling, bloating, and weight gain.
Hormonal Contraceptives: These stop ovulation, and make your periods less frequent. This helps to limit the amount of PMS symptoms that you experience.
Lifestyle Changes
Consumer smaller meals more frequently to help with bloating
Eat less salt to reduce bloating and fluid retention
Eat foods with lots of complex carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Eat more calcium, or add a calcium supplement
Do not drink caffine or alcohol
Try to get thirty minutes of moderate level aerobic exercise almost day to reduce fatigue and depression
Get at least eight hours of sleep each night and get on a consitent sleep schedule where you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day
Practice deep breathing, meditation, or yoga in order to reduce headaches, anxiety and insomnia
Track your symptoms so that you can figure out their triggers
Works Cited
Mayo Clinic. “Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic.” Mayoclinic.org, 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376787.
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).” Mayo Clinic, 25 Feb. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20376780.
“Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).” Www.acog.org, www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/premenstrual-syndrome.