Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is a condition in menstruating women that involves emotional, behavior and physical changes in the days before the onset of the monthly period.
According to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., 75 percent of menstruating women will experience some form of PMS. PMS is more likely to trouble women in their late 20s and early 40s. PMS also occurs in a predictable pattern.
Signs of PMS
There are many signs of PMS, but most women experience only a few of these signs, not the whole list. Here is a list of common signs of PMS as recorded by the Mayo Clinic:
- tension/anxiety
- depressed mood
- crying spells
- mood swings/irritability/anger
- food cravings
- insomnia
- social withdrawal
- poor concentration
- joint/muscle pain
- headache
- fatigue
- weight gain
- bloating
- breast tenderness
- acne flare-up
- constipation/diarrhea
Cause of PMS
The cause of PMS is not known but there are factors that can contribute to PMS. They are:
- hormonal changes – PMS changes with hormonal fluctuations and disappear with pregnancy and menopause.
- serotonin – insufficient amounts of this brain chemical which play a role in moods could contribute to PMS, fatigue, food cravings and sleep problems.
- food – eating salty foods, drinking caffeine and alcohol can cause fluid retention, mood states and energy levels.
Treatment
A doctor can prescribe medication for PMS if warranted. Common medications are antidepressants, nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics and oral contraceptives.
Before taking medication, however; consider making changes in daily life to lessen the effects of PMS. Here are four ways to do that:
- Modify your diet – eat smaller and more meals during the day, limit salty food intake and eat foods high in calcium and complex carbohydrates, such as fruit and whole grains.
- Incorporate exercise – walk, swim or do another aerobic activity for 30 minutes a day.
- Reduce stress – get plenty of sleep, practice deep breathing exercises and do yoga and massage.
- Record PMS signs – when it starts, when it ends, record period. This will help to gauge what day signs start (predictable pattern) and allow intervention in future months to lessen PMS signs.
There are also vitamins and minerals that if consumed, can lessen the signs of PMS. They include:
- calcium: 1,200 mg/day
- magnesium: 400 mg/day
- vitamin B-6: 50-100 mg/day
- vitamin E: 400 iu/day
- herbal remedies: ginger, chasteberry and black cohosh
- natural progesterone creams
Herbal remedies and natural progesterone creams have not been scientifically studied so the safety and effectiveness have not been proven by the Food and Drug Administration.
If a woman is experiencing severe, debilitating signs of PMS, she should see a doctor as it may be another condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
