After menstruation you are, by strict definition, entirely free from symptoms. But pre-menstrual syndrome is a group of symptoms which occur regularly before menstruation and during early menstruation The symptoms are variable, ranging from migraine, backache, joint pains, asthma, tension, irritability, pimples and blotchy skin to swollen breasts, swollen ankles, bloatedness and tiredness. If the symptoms include the triad of tiredness, depression and irritability, this is called pre-menstrual tension.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a mixture of physical and emotional symptoms that some women experience during the days, or sometimes weeks, leading up to their menstrual period.
What is PMS?
PMS can start up to two weeks before your period and usually goes away when your period starts.Some women have symptoms of PMS each month before their period starts.
Nearly all women get some mild symptoms before their period. However, around one in 20 women have symptoms that interfere with their quality of life. Out of crimes commited by women it has been found that 40% of the incidents took place when the women were in pre menstrual 10 days.
Symptoms
More than 100 symptoms have been associated with PMS. Common symptoms can be grouped into emotional, behavioral and physical .
| Behavioral Symptoms |
% Showing |
| Fatigue |
92 |
| Irritability |
91 |
Labile mood with alternating
sadness and anger |
81 |
| Depression |
80 |
| Oversensitivity |
69 |
| Crying spells |
65 |
| Social withdrawal |
65 |
| Forgetfulness |
56 |
| Difficulty concentrating |
47 |
|
| Physical symptoms |
% Showing |
| Abdominal bloating |
90 |
| Breast tenderness |
85 |
| Acene |
71 |
Appetite changes and
food craving |
70 |
| Swelling of the extremities |
67 |
| Headache |
60 |
| Gastrointestinal intestinal |
48 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
These symptoms are common and are not unique to PMS. So it's the timing of the symptoms that are the telltalesignsof PMS. With PMS, the symptoms will appear during the two weeks leading up to your menstrual period
A small number of women with PMS may be diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This is a more severe form of the syndrome characterized by mood swings, depression, anxiety and irritability that interferes substantially with everyday life.
Causes
The exact cause of PMS is not known, but one theory is that women with PMS are particularly sensitive to the varying levels of hormones in the body at certain times of the month. It's possible that these hormones also interact with the body's mood-controlling chemicals (such as serotonin) in the brain.
Diagnosis
There are no specific tests that can diagnose PMS. Your doctor can usually make a diagnosis based on a description of your symptoms and when they occur.
If you suspect you have PMS, keep a diary of your symptoms for two or three menstrual cycles before you visit your GP. This will help you and your doctor to see if the symptoms are related to your menstrual cycle.
It's very important to distinguish between PMS and other problems that could be causing similar physical or emotional symptoms, because the treatment will be different.
Treatment
There is a great deal that you can do to help reduce mild to moderate symptoms.
Self-help
If, by keeping a symptom diary. Now you can predict more accurately how you will feel at certain times of the month. This helps you to:
- avoid stress at home and at work on key days
- pinpoint any emotional triggers that make the symptoms worse
PMS symptoms improve with regular exercise and eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables and wholegrain carbohydrates, with limited caffeine, alcohol and salt. These lifestyle habits promote good health and a sense of wellbeing.
Painkillers are of help to premenstrual headaches, backache or other aches and pains.
taking vitamin B6 supplements is also helpful but it is advised not to take more than 50 or 100mg of vitamin B6 supplements each day
Medicines
For symptoms that are disrupting your life, and that don't improve with self-help measures, consider seeing your GP for advice. He or she may do tests to rule out other illnesses that could be causing your symptoms. If PMS is diagnosed, your GP may prescribe medicines, depending on the type of symptoms you have.
A diuretic (water tablet), such as spironolactone, may help to relieve symptoms such as breast tenderness and bloating.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be effective, such as fluoxetine (Fludac). Despite being an antidepressant medicine, fluoxetine appears to have a positive effect on both the physical and behavioral symptoms.
Side-effects of medicine are difficulty sleeping ,extreme tiredness ,feeling sick, vomiting ,diarrhea or constipation .
Others being hormonal treatments, or medicines to target specific symptoms.
Combined oral contraceptive pill prevents ovulation and can help with some symptoms. In addition, for some people, the side-effects of oral contraceptives are very similar to PMS.
Progesterone may help to balance out the fluctuating levels of this hormone during the weeks leading up to your period.
Mefenamic acid is a type of prescription painkiller that may help with painful PMS symptoms.
