Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) has a wide variety of symptoms, including mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, crying, oversensitivity, fatigue, irritability and depression. It is also known as PMS or Premenstrual Tension (PMT) or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMS symptoms occur 1 to 2 weeks before menstrual period (menstruation) starts. PMS can affect menstruating women of any age and the effect is different for each woman.
Causes
✿ Cyclic changes in hormones.
✿ Chemical changes in the brain.
✿ Depression (Feeling of sadness for periods of at least 2 weeks).
Sign & Symptoms
Symptoms vary from woman to woman. PMS often includes both physical and emotional symptoms, such as :
1. Acne
2. Swollen or tender breasts
3. Feeling tired
4. Trouble sleeping
5. Upset stomach, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
6. Headache or backache
7. Appetite changes or food cravings
8. Joint or muscle pain
9. Trouble with concentration or memory
10. Tension, irritability, mood swings, or crying spells
11. Anxiety or depression
Related Article :
- Menstrual Cycle
- Conversion Disorder (Hysteria)
- Abdominal pain
Diagnosis
There are no unique physical findings or laboratory tests to positively diagnose premenstrual syndrome. Your doctor may attribute a particular symptom to PMS if it's part of your predictable premenstrual pattern.
To help establish a premenstrual pattern, your doctor may have you record your signs and symptoms on a calendar or in a diary for at least two menstrual cycles. Note the day that you first notice PMS symptoms, as well as the day they disappear. Also be sure to mark the days your period starts and ends.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on how severe your symptoms are. In more severe cases, your health care provider may recommend medication. The treatment are :
1. Lifestyle changes :
✔ Regular Aerobic Exercise including brisk walking, running, cycling, and swimming lessens PMS symptoms. It may reduce fatigue and depression.
✔ Eat Healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
✔ Avoid salt, sugary foods, caffeine, and alcohol, especially when you’re having PMS symptoms.
✔ Enough Sleep. Try to get about 8 hours of sleep each night.
✔ Don’t smoke.
2. Medications :
✔ Pain Relievers may help ease physical symptoms, such as cramps, headaches, backaches, and breast tenderness. This may include Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
✔ Hormonal Contraceptives, Drugs that prevent ovulation, may lessen physical symptoms.
✔ Antidepressants can be helpful in treating PMS in some women. These drugs can help lessen mood symptoms. They can be used 2 weeks before the onset of symptoms or throughout the menstrual cycle.
✔ Anti-anxiety drug, If anxiety is a major PMS symptom for you, your health care professional may prescribe an anti-anxiety drug.
✔ Diuretics are drugs that help reduce fluid buildup. Your health care provider can prescribe a diuretic if water retention is a major symptom for you.
3. Alternative Therapies :
✔ Folic acid
✔ Calcium with vitamin D
✔ Magnesium
✔ Vitamin B-6
✔ Vitamin E
References
1. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research : http://www.ijogr.com/
2. Mayo Clinic : http://www.mayoclinic.org/
Related Article :
- Menstrual Cycle
- Conversion Disorder (Hysteria)
- Abdominal pain
Causes
✿ Cyclic changes in hormones.
✿ Chemical changes in the brain.
✿ Depression (Feeling of sadness for periods of at least 2 weeks).
Sign & Symptoms
Symptoms vary from woman to woman. PMS often includes both physical and emotional symptoms, such as :
1. Acne
2. Swollen or tender breasts
3. Feeling tired
4. Trouble sleeping
5. Upset stomach, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
6. Headache or backache
7. Appetite changes or food cravings
8. Joint or muscle pain
9. Trouble with concentration or memory
10. Tension, irritability, mood swings, or crying spells
11. Anxiety or depression
Related Article :
- Menstrual Cycle
- Conversion Disorder (Hysteria)
- Abdominal pain
Diagnosis
There are no unique physical findings or laboratory tests to positively diagnose premenstrual syndrome. Your doctor may attribute a particular symptom to PMS if it's part of your predictable premenstrual pattern.
To help establish a premenstrual pattern, your doctor may have you record your signs and symptoms on a calendar or in a diary for at least two menstrual cycles. Note the day that you first notice PMS symptoms, as well as the day they disappear. Also be sure to mark the days your period starts and ends.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on how severe your symptoms are. In more severe cases, your health care provider may recommend medication. The treatment are :
1. Lifestyle changes :
✔ Regular Aerobic Exercise including brisk walking, running, cycling, and swimming lessens PMS symptoms. It may reduce fatigue and depression.
✔ Eat Healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
✔ Avoid salt, sugary foods, caffeine, and alcohol, especially when you’re having PMS symptoms.
✔ Enough Sleep. Try to get about 8 hours of sleep each night.
✔ Don’t smoke.
2. Medications :
✔ Pain Relievers may help ease physical symptoms, such as cramps, headaches, backaches, and breast tenderness. This may include Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
✔ Hormonal Contraceptives, Drugs that prevent ovulation, may lessen physical symptoms.
✔ Antidepressants can be helpful in treating PMS in some women. These drugs can help lessen mood symptoms. They can be used 2 weeks before the onset of symptoms or throughout the menstrual cycle.
✔ Anti-anxiety drug, If anxiety is a major PMS symptom for you, your health care professional may prescribe an anti-anxiety drug.
✔ Diuretics are drugs that help reduce fluid buildup. Your health care provider can prescribe a diuretic if water retention is a major symptom for you.
3. Alternative Therapies :
✔ Folic acid
✔ Calcium with vitamin D
✔ Magnesium
✔ Vitamin B-6
✔ Vitamin E
References
1. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research : http://www.ijogr.com/
2. Mayo Clinic : http://www.mayoclinic.org/
Related Article :
- Menstrual Cycle
- Conversion Disorder (Hysteria)
- Abdominal pain
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