What is Premenstrual Syndrome?
The term “Premenstrual Syndrome” is a collective reference to the group of an assortment of symptoms related to menstrual cycle of women. While premenstrual symptoms are only natural and most of the women easily cope up with them. However, in some cases, the severity of such symptoms is quite grave and can disturb your normal daily routine. This severe scenario specifically refers to Premenstrual Syndrome, also called as PMS.
Symptoms and classification
These symptoms can be classified under three broad categories according to their resultant impact …physical, behavioral or mental.
- Affecting physical functions – Fatigue, tender breasts and breast swelling, severe headache, constipation, weight gain, dizziness, fast heart beating, bloating, diarrhea
- Affecting behavioral functions- Diminished concentration, increased level of eating, elevated cravings for sweets, noise sensitivity, frequent crying, and fluctuating levels of alcohol tolerance
- Affecting mental functions – Mood swings, Nervousness, Anxiety, depression, irritability, frequent state of confusion, hostility, insomnia, lack of memory
Some PMS facts…
- According to the studies carried out at least 75 to 80 % women suffer from PMS of late with a varying level of severity of these symptoms.
- Studies have also shown that the severity level of these symptoms usually reach at peak when you are in early 30s or late 20s.
- Usually, there is a specific predictable pattern when these symptoms occur.
- However, you may witness higher severity of premenstrual syndrome in specific months and lower severity in other months.
- Severe form of premenstrual syndrome is known as PMDD or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
Causes behind PMS
During menstrual luteal phase, progesterone level increases and estrogen level decreases creating hormonal imbalance. This imbalance plays significant role in PMS occurrence. In addition to this, according to latest findings, deficiency in endorphin levels in nervous system during luteal phase also contribute towards PMS. Alteration in serotonin, a chemical present in brain, diet and your lifestyle also plays decisive role.
Treatment
Due to the diverse factors associated with respective symptoms, there is no singular method of treatment that can be found effective; on the other hand, according to your symptoms, your probable treatment will be focusing on minimizing the triggers responsible for the specific symptoms.
One of the most common popular treatments is HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). Among different HRTs, bioidetical hormone replacement therapy has certain advantages over its counterparts. Dietary strategies and maintaining healthy lifestyle helps a lot. You can also get positive results from using relaxation techniques, mediation and Yoga.
