PMS Symptoms

What Is PMS?

The medical definition of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is: A consistent pattern of emotional and physical symptoms occurring only during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, that are of sufficient severity to interfere with some aspects of life. They are usually predictable and occur on a regular basis, 10 – 14 days prior to menses, and in most cases go away just before or shortly after menstruation begins.

What Is PMT?

Studies have shown that PMS (sometimes referred to as Premenstrual Tension, PMT) has emotional, physical, and psychological aspects, with better than 200 symptoms directly related to PMS itself.

PMS Symptoms

Who Can Be Affected?

85% of women experience some sort of physical symptoms related to PMS such as: cramps, bloating, and breast tenderness, while only 3 – 5% have more significant symptoms that are separate from the normal discomfort associated with menstruation and ovulation. However, if you are experiencing moderate to severe pain during menses, we highly recommend that you seek medical attention, to rule out the possibility of a more severe underlying problem that may be enhanced by menstrual magnification.

Underlying Problems

Some of the underlying problems may be but are not limited to the following:

1. depression – though it may be magnified by PMS, some of the treatments for depression may acually help with emotional issues during the luteal cycle.
2. hypothyroidism – deficient activity in the thyroid gland ( causes lower metabolism and loss of energy )
3. anemia – deficiency of red blood cells.
4. asthma – certain treatments may enhance PMS symptoms.
5. irritable bowel syndrome – because of the poximity of the female reproduction system.
6. allergies – some of the medications used to treat allergies can magnify PMS symptoms.

In some instances PMS may be enhanced due to taking an incompatible form of oral contraceptive, an eating disorder, or substance abuse.

What Causes PMS?

The exact cause of premenstrual syndrome is not fully understood, but it has been proven to be more common among twins. Up to 40 % of the women studied have had significant alterations in the opioid neurotransmitter area of the brain, which is the same area that is effected by the use of heroin and opiates. One theory is that PMS is the bodies way of telling us that we are ready to conceive. Another theory is that estrogen levels are at their lowest at the end of menstuation. After the cycle ends, estogen levels begin to rise and peak mid-cycle or at ovulation, then there is a rapid drop before the cycle begins again.

Symptoms of PMS

Should I See A Doctor?

Symptoms of PMS are different for every woman and vary from cycle to cycle, so if you feel you need help in controlling PMS it is recommended that you keep a diary of dates and symptoms to help your health care provider better determine which treatment is best for you.

Emotional PMS Symptoms

Some of the most common emotional symptoms that PMS sufferers have are: stress, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, over sensitivity, dysphoria, and changes in their libido.

Physical PMS Symptoms

The more prominent complains on the physical side are: cramps, headaches, bloating ( swelling of the hands and feet ) backaches, and tenderness in the breasts.

Other Factors

Other factors that a physician may take into consideration when determining if you suffer from PMS are:

1. family history
2. history of depression
3. your lifestyle
4. tobacco use
5. dietary habits
6. deficiencies in vitamins and minerals

Other things that may attribute to symptoms are: your caffeine intake, how much stress you are under, and your age.

What Can I Do To Treat PMS?

Treatments will vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and how much they interfere with your life. For the majority of sufferers, it could be as simple as choosing a wiser diet, getting plenty of rest and an adequate amount of sleep, and make sure you are getting enough exercise (preferably a regular routine). It is also recommended that you reduce caffeine and sodium intake, while increasing the amount of fiber in your diet.

What Will A Doctor Do?

There are some instances where your doctor may put you on a diuretic or a hormonal contraceptive (usually a patch or a pill). Because there is a good chance that your symptoms of PMS are due to a lack of certain nutrients, your doctor could recommend that you take a well rounded multivitamin each day. Additional calcium (1200 mg) is also helpful, not only for PMS, but to help prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis. You may also consider taking a non-steroid anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.

Definitions:

1. luteal phase – the period from ovulation up to the onset of menstruation.
2. menses – another term meaning menstruation.
3. menstrual magnification – underlying problems that are magnified by PMS symptoms.
4. dysphoria – more commonly known as depression.
5. estrogen – a natural steroid that is formed and secreted by the ovaries.
6. diuretic – a drug commonly given to decrease water weight gain.