PM (Premenstrual Syndrome): symptoms, causes, to treatment

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Definition

What is PMS or premenstrual syndrome?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual syndrome is a condition that occurs before women menstruate. PMS symptoms can affect physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, PMS has many signs and symptoms, including mood fluctuations, hard breasts, food cravings, fainting, irritability, and depression. It is estimated, 3 out of 4 develop premenstrual syndrome.

Symptoms can be recurring and predictable. However, the physical and emotional changes you experience as premenstrual syndrome can vary from mild to intense.

How often does premenstrual syndrome occur?

PMS is a very common condition. About 50% of women who suffer from this syndrome are around 20-30 years old. You can reduce your risk of developing this premenstrual syndrome by reducing your risk factors.

Consult your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of PMS?

The average woman's menstrual cycle is 28 days. Meanwhile, ovulation, the period when an egg is released from the ovary, occurs on the 14th day of the cycle. Menstruation on day 28 of the cycle.

PMS symptoms can start around day 14 and last up to seven days after menstruation starts. The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are usually mild to moderate. The severity also varies, depending on each individual.

PMS symptoms that can be seen physically include:

• Emotions become more irritable and irritable
• Dizziness or fainting
• Moods that quickly change
• Headache
• Breast pain, breast engorgement
• Low desire for sexual intercourse
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Swelling of the ankles, hands,
• Acne.

Symptoms that represent behavioral changes include depression, stress, feeling anxious, crying quickly, and difficulty concentrating. Other physical symptoms also include swelling around the abdomen and fatigue. PMS symptoms are sometimes mild and undetectable, but sometimes severe and very obvious.

For some people, the physical pain and emotional stress are severe enough to affect their daily life. However, regardless of the severity of the symptoms, signs and symptoms usually disappear within four days after the start of the menstrual period.

However, in a minority of women, premenstrual symptoms make them unable to do anything. This form of PMS is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

PMDD signs and symptoms include depression, mood swings, anger, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and tension.

There may be symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Call your doctor if symptoms of premenstrual syndrome interfere with your daily activities, health, or work. Everyone's body works in different ways. It is better to consult a doctor for a solution to your situation.

Cause

What causes PMS?

PMS is a condition whose cause cannot be determined. However, doctors assume that a hormonal imbalance in women, between estrogen and progesterone (which is produced by the ovaries), can cause PMS.

Some substances in the body (such as prostaglandins) may also cause PMS. The following factors are believed to affect PMS:

• Hormonal changes. The signs and symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome vary with hormonal fluctuations and disappear with pregnancy and menopause.
• Chemical changes in the brain. Changes in serotonin, a brain chemical that plays an important role in the mood of the day, can trigger PMS symptoms. Insufficient amounts of serotonin can lead to premenstrual depression, fatigue, food cravings, and sleep problems.
• Depression. Some women with severe STDs have undiagnosed depression. However, that doesn't mean depression causes all PMS symptoms.

Risk factors

What increases your risk of developing premenstrual syndrome?

There are many risk factors for premenstrual syndrome including:

• Derivative. Your family has this condition.
• Mental problems such as stress or depression.
• You lack exercise.
• You feel pressured because of life or work.
• You are not consuming enough vitamin B6, calcium and magnesium.
• You consume too much caffeine.

Diagnosis

What are the common tests to diagnose premenstrual syndrome?

You can self-diagnose by using a fertility calendar to observe your periods and record the symptoms.

If it always occurs 2 weeks before or after menstruation, it is probably PMS. There is no blood test or image analysis to support the diagnosis.

If the symptoms persist and interfere with your daily life, contact your doctor immediately. A diagnosis will be made when you experience more than one symptom that recurs for a certain period of time outside of your menstrual cycle and interferes with your daily life.

Summarized from Healthline, doctors usually look for other causes, such as:

• Anemia
• Endometriosis
• Thyroid disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Connective tissue or rheumatological disease

Your doctor may ask you about any history of depression or mood disorders in your family to determine if your symptoms are PMS or some other condition. Some conditions, such as hypothyroidism and pregnancy, have symptoms similar to those of premenstrual syndrome.

Your doctor may have you do a thyroid hormone test to make sure your thyroid gland is functioning properly, a pregnancy test, and possibly a pelvic exam to check for gynecological problems.

Keeping a log of your symptoms is another way to determine if you have PMS. Use a calendar to track your premenstrual syndrome and menstrual symptoms every month.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the treatment options for STDs?

PMS is a condition that can actually be treated. You can do treatments such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest. Eat foods high in carbohydrates (cereals such as bread, noodles and rice) that can help you deal with this condition.

You have to limit or stop harmful habits such as drinking caffeine-containing drinks or working too hard during your period.

In addition, your doctor may advise you to take antidepressants, pain relievers, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, birth control pills, female hormone balance medications, and water retention medications. Here's the explanation:

Antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) and others, have been successful in reducing mood symptoms. SSRIs are the first-line treatment for severe PMS or PMDD.

These drugs are generally taken every day. But for some women with PMS, antidepressant use may be limited to two weeks before menstruation begins.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Take before or at the beginning of your period, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can reduce breast cramps and discomfort.

In addition, you also need to reduce stress with relaxation methods such as meditation or yoga. At the same time, you must also quit smoking.

Diuretic

When exercising and limiting salt intake are not enough to reduce weight gain, swelling, and bloating from PMS, water pills (diuretics) can help your body remove excess fluid through your kidneys.

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a diuretic that can help relieve some PMS symptoms.

Hormonal contraceptives

These medicines can stop ovulation, which can relieve PMS symptoms.

Lifestyle changes and home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes and home remedies that can treat PMS?

The following lifestyle and home remedies can help you treat premenstrual syndrome:

• Eat small portions, but often to avoid bloating and feeling full in the stomach.
• Reduce consumption of salt before menstruation.
• Eat complex carbohydrates, such as fruit, vegetables, and cereals (such as wheat).
• Eat calcium-rich foods.
• Quit smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Limit the amount of chocolate and caffeine (coffee, soft drinks, tea) in your body.
• Contact your doctor if symptoms get worse or don't improve.
• Get regular exercise.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment