What is Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS and what are its main symptoms

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a combination of physical, psychological, and mood disturbances that occur after a woman ovulates, usually ending with the onset of her menstrual flow..

The most common mood-related symptoms are irritability, sadness, crying, and excessive emotional sensitivity. The most common physical symptoms are fatigue, swelling, breast tenderness (mastalgia), acne, changes in appetite, and food cravings..

Contents

• What Causes Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?
• Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome
• What are the signs and symptoms of PMS?
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Premenstrual Syndrome makes other illnesses worse
• How long does PMS last?
• Treatment of PMS
• PMS and pregnancy symptoms
  • References

What Causes Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?

PMS remains a mystery because it includes a wide variety of symptoms, making it difficult to make a firm diagnosis. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the cause of PMS, but none of these theories have been proven, so the specific treatment for PMS still lacks a solid scientific basis. Most evidence suggests that PMS is the result of alterations in the levels of sex hormones and brain chemicals or neurotransmitters..

PMS does not appear to be specifically associated with any personality. Similarly, numerous studies have shown that psychological stress is not related to the severity of PMS..

Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome

About 90% of women experience premenstrual symptoms at some point in their life. Although the true incidence of PMS may have been overestimated by including all women who experience physical or emotional symptoms prior to menstruation unrelated to the menstrual cycle.

It is estimated that PMS clinically moderate or severe in intensity and affecting the normal functioning of a woman, occurs in 20% - 30% of women.

What are the signs and symptoms of PMS?

A wide variety of symptoms have been attributed to this syndrome. Also, women can have PMS of varying duration and severity from cycle to cycle..

The most common emotional symptoms are:

• Sad or depressed mood
• Anger, irritability, and aggressiveness
• Anxiety
• Humor changes
• Difficult to focus
• Isolation from friends and family

The most common physical symptoms are:

• Bloating and weight gain
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Headaches
• Cramps, muscle and joint pain, lower back pain
• Breast swelling and tenderness
• Food cravings, especially sweet or salty foods
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Low sex drive
• Constipation or diarrhea

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

There is a more severe form of PMS, known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD), also known as late luteal phase dysphoric disorder, which occurs in fewer women and leads to a significant loss of function due to symptoms unusually severe.

In these cases, women present severe mood swings, depression, irritability or anxiety (with or without physical symptoms). Symptoms generally disappear after the first 3 days of menstrual bleeding. This severe type of PMS, fortunately, is not common.

Premenstrual Syndrome makes other illnesses worse

Some medical conditions can get worse between ovulation and the first day of menstrual bleeding. The most affected disorders include:

• Depression and anxiety disorders.
• Migraines.
• Seizure disorders.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Chronic fatigue syndrome.

How long does PMS last?

The duration of PMS varies between women. Most experience symptoms for a few days or more during the week before their menstrual period starts. Some women may have symptoms in a shorter or longer period of time, but what must be met to be diagnosed is that the symptoms of PMS begin after ovulation (the midpoint in the monthly menstrual cycle).

Treatment of PMS

Treating PMS can sometimes be difficult. Throughout history, different kinds of treatments have been used. Some measures lack a solid scientific basis, but they seem to help some women. Other treatments with a more foundation may not help all patients..

Generally, the management of PMS includes leading a healthy lifestyle that encourages:

• Do exercise
• Salt restriction before menstrual period
• Decrease in caffeine intake before menstruation
• Give up smoking
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Reduce consumption of refined sugar
• Emotional support during the premenstrual period

Additionally, some studies suggest that calcium and magnesium supplements may provide some benefit..

PMS and pregnancy symptoms

For some women, the symptoms of PMS can be similar to the early signs of pregnancy, although this is something very personal..

Many women do not experience early pregnancy symptoms, while others may experience increased breast tenderness, swelling, fatigue, and mood swings. These symptoms can be, for some women, similar to the symptoms of PMS. Unfortunately for women wondering if certain symptoms are due to PMS or pregnancy, the only definitive answer comes with the arrival of menstruation or a positive pregnancy test..

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3118460/

Frank R. The hormonal causes of premenstrual tension. Neurol arc psychiatry. 1931; 26: 1053-57.

Halbreich U, Tworek H. Alteration of serotonergic activity in women with dysphoric premenstrual syndromes. Int J Psychiatry Med. 1993; 23: 1-27.

Wittchen H, Becker E, Lieb R, Krause P. Prevalence, incidence, and stability of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in the community. Psychol Med. 2002; 32: 119-132

Yonkers KA. Anxiety Symptoms and Anxiety Disorders: How Are They Related to PMS? J Clin Psychiatry. 1997; 58: 62-67