The whole truth about PMS: where it comes from and how to get rid of it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

PMS is not a fiction of women, but a real diagnosis.

What is PMS

Premenstrual syndrome - PMS - occurs 2-10 days before menstruation. This is the very state when a woman can cry for no good reason, want “that, I don’t know what”, get irritated about little things, experience headaches and muscle pains and, in general, feel worse than ever.

According to statistics, about 90% of women have experienced some form of PMS at least once in their lives.

Severe PMS is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder - PMDD. The symptoms are the same here, but much more intense. So much so that a woman cannot lead her usual lifestyle.

Fortunately, PMDD is less common. Only 3–8% of women complain of this disorder.

Where does PMS come from?

Despite the widespread prevalence of PMS, doctors cannot pinpoint its cause. However, there are still some assumptions:

• Cyclic hormonal changes … Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels along with PMS symptoms disappear during pregnancy and postmenopause.
• Chemical processes in the brain … The number of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, affect emotional and mental health. For example, a lack of serotonin can worsen mood, cause fatigue, hunger, and sleep problems.

Who is at risk

If there is a period, then there may be PMS. But women 20–40 years of age are at risk more than others, who:

• gave birth;
• are depressed (and may not know about it);
• have had depression, including postpartum depression, or are suffering from bipolar disorder;
• have relatives with depression;
• are subject to frequent stress;
• smoke;
• abuse alcohol, salt, sugar and red meat;
• sleep a little;
• neglect physical activity.

What are the symptoms of PMS

There are many PMS symptoms, but most often women experience these.

Emotional and behavioral manifestations

• depression, tension and increased anxiety;
• tearfulness;
• mood swings;
• irritability, fits of anger;
• changes in eating behavior: constant hunger or loss of appetite;
• insomnia;
• self-isolation, unwillingness to communicate with people;
• difficulty concentrating;
• changes in libido.

Physical manifestations

• muscle pain;
• headache;
• fatigue;
• weight gain due to fluid retention in the body;
• bloating;
• chest pain or tenderness;
• acne;
• constipation or diarrhea;
• alcohol intolerance.

For most women, symptoms of any severity usually resolve within four days after their period begins.

How to understand that you have PMS

PMS is difficult to diagnose. Physical and mental illness can have similar symptoms or simply worsen the condition before your period. Therefore, the most effective diagnostic method is to keep a diary.

If symptoms appear regularly in the middle of the cycle and persist until the onset of menstruation, it is most likely due to PMS.

Celebrate the following each day:

• Are there pains or cramps?
• Is there a vaginal discharge?
• What's your mood?
• How long did you sleep?
• Are you feeling tired or energized?
• What is your weight?
• Are there any external changes (bloating, acne)?
• Was there any physical activity?
• Was there sex? Protected or not?
• Are you taking contraceptives?
• When did your period start and end?

The most convenient way to do this is in special applications. Your smartphone is always with you, so you can make a mark whenever you want.

How to relieve PMS symptoms on your own

• Eat smaller meals often, to prevent bloating.
• Salt food less so that moisture does not linger in the body.
• Avoid coffee, alcohol and cigarettes.
• Eat foods rich in calcium: cottage cheese, milk, hazelnuts, sesame seeds. As well as complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Practice yoga, deep breathing, and massage to relieve stress.
• Dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to brisk walking, cycling, swimming, and other aerobic exercise.
• Sleep more.

When to see a doctor

It happens that PMS becomes a serious problem that interferes with leading a normal life. If the symptoms are severe, intense two cycles in a row, you are most likely dealing with PMDD. Then you should consult a doctor - gynecologist and / or psychotherapist.

You shouldn't hesitate. Especially if you have a difficult emotional state: you want to harm yourself, you are thinking about suicide.

The presence of similar symptoms throughout the entire menstrual cycle is also a serious reason to make an appointment with a specialist. They may be indicative of other health problems not related to PMS and PMDD. For example, about thyroid diseases or depression.

What the doctor will do

To diagnose PMS or PMDD, the doctor must rule out the possibility of pregnancy or health problems. So get ready to get tested and answer questions about the timing of symptoms and their severity, known ways to relieve your health, your mood, and much more. A period diary will help you here.

If PMS is diagnosed and is causing you severe discomfort, your doctor will likely prescribe the following medications for you:

• Diuretics … They are taken if exercise and salt restriction do not help manage weight gain, swelling, and bloating. Diuretic pills remove excess fluid through the kidneys.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs … For example, ibuprofen or naproxen. They are usually prescribed for cramps, headaches, and pelvic and chest discomfort.
• Antidepressants … They increase the levels of neurotransmitters produced by the brain that are needed to control mood and emotions. The most effective group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
• Hormonal contraceptives … These medications stop ovulation and can relieve PMS symptoms.

Ask your doctor about all possible treatments. For example, some women experience relief after acupuncture and herbal treatments (St. John's wort, ginger, ginkgo, holy Vitex). Some people benefit from folate, magnesium, calcium, vitamins D, E, and B6. True, the effectiveness of these methods has not been proven.

And yes, always check with your doctor before taking any medication.