Understanding PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
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- Understanding PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
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Every month, there are days in a woman’s life when she may experience irritability, clumsiness, fatigue, bloating, anxiety, cramping, headaches, swollen breasts, food cravings, crying spells, and mood swings. This is known as PMS: Premenstrual Syndrome.
What is PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome is a combination of physical and emotional symptoms that many women experience after ovulation and before the start of their menstrual cycle. Contrary to popular belief, PMS is a real condition that can cause significant physical discomfort and emotional distress for women.
Who gets PMS?
It is estimated that nearly 30% of women of reproductive age suffer from moderate tosevere PMS, with 5-8% of women experiencing severe PMS. In the UK, this affects around 800,000 women.
What are the symptoms of PMS?
Physical symptoms include breast tenderness, bloating, weight gain, clumsiness, headaches, constipation/diarrhea, and lower tolerance for noise/light Behavioral and psychological symptoms include mood swings, depression, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, aggression, sleep disorders, and food cravings.What causes PMS? The cause of PMS has not been identified, but it could be linked to fluctuations in hormone levels in the monthly cycle.
How is PMS diagnosed?
There is no specific test to diagnose PMS. Diagnosis depends on the timing of the symptoms in relation to the menstrual cycle.
What is the treatment for PMS?
There is no specific cure for PMS, but it can be managed through lifestyle changes such as stress reduction, dietary adjustments, limiting alcohol and smoking, and ensuring an adequate amount of sleep. Medical treatments fall into two categories: ovulation suppression and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
Can PMS be cured?
There is no cure for PMS, except for a hysterectomy, which is the ultimate form of ovulation suppression.
