Do you feel like a different person one or two weeks out of the month? You're probably suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). And you're definitely not alone.
Up to 95 percent of all women experience premenstrual symptoms at one time or another. Of these, up to 40 percent have symptoms severe enough to disrupt their daily routines, and five percent have symptoms so severe that they are incapacitated. This most severe form of PMS is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
PMS symptoms typically begin seven to ten days before your menstrual period begins, and end when you start your period. They can occur five to fifteen days before and end a day or two into your period. You can experience one or many symptoms, including:
- Abdominal discomfort and pain, including cramping
- Acne and other skin eruptions
- Aggression
- Anxiety
- Backache
- Bloating
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Drastic mood swings
- Exacerbations of chronic illnesses (such as asthma, allergies, epilepsy, or migraine)
- Fainting spells
- Fatigue
- Food cravings
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- Headaches
- Insomnia or sleeping excessively
- Inability to cope
- Irritability
- Joint or muscle pain
- Joint swelling
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Night sweats
- Pelvic pain
- Sadness
- Sense of being out of control
- Suicidal thoughts
- Tearfulness
- Tension
- Water retention
- Weight gain
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To help determine if you have PMS, keep a diary of your physical and emotional symptoms for several months. If the same symptoms occur at the same part of your cycle each month, they're probably PMS-related. You can share the record with your healthcare provider, and use the information to implement prevention measures.
You will be able to predict your window of vulnerability, which could help you keep a lighter schedule during that time frame. You will also be aware of emotional changes that could cause interpersonal problems, and inform others as necessary.
What Causes PMS?
The scientific and medical community does not understand why there is such a varied set of symptoms. For many years, PMS was considered purely psychological. It's now understood that it is physiologically based. Bearing several children – or just being married – seems to increase a woman's risk for PMS. It's possible that a woman can be genetically predisposed to PMS. Women with a family history of mood disorders are also more likely to develop PMS.
One cause for PMS is a hormonal imbalance; too little or too much estrogen or progesterone. Some studies have linked PMS to low levels of serotonin in the brain and erratic levels of beta-endorphin. Other causes include food allergies, unstable blood sugar levels, and vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Check with your healthcare provider to rule out diseases such as hypoglycemia or thyroid problems.
Does Anything Help?
Several options are available to help alleviate PMS or its symptoms:
- Eat a healthful diet
- Exercise regularly
- Rest
- Talk to a friend
- Cut back on sugar and salt
- Drink lots of fluids
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- Join a PMS support group
- Limit caffeine
- Pamper yourself
- Limit or eliminate stresses
- Use over-the-counter medicines
- If your symptoms are severe, ask your doctor about prescription medications
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Alternative Considerations
According to the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the herb chasteberry has been used for thousands of years by women to ease menstrual problems. They also note that a few studies of chasteberry for premenstrual syndrome have shown a benefit. However, because most of those studies were small and not well designed, the NCCAM is now funding studies on chasteberry to learn how it might affect symptoms of PMS.
Other more natural remedies reported by women as helpful for PMS symptoms include: Vitamin B6, evening primrose oil, calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin E.
Talk with your doctor if your PMS symptoms are affecting the quality of your life. They don't need to. There is help.
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