Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a syndrome that affects women’s emotional and physical health, as well as their behaviour, usually before the onset of menstruation. Women experience PMS symptoms to varying degrees. However, if it affects your ability to function or interferes with your daily life, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
It’s also important to pay attention to PMS symptoms to ensure you don’t have other serious situations, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which can chief to various mental and physical health difficulties.
The Textbook Symptoms of PMS
Women experience a variety of PMS symptoms. However, some are more common than others. These symptoms typically appear about 14 days before menstruation and can last up to 7 days afterwards.
PMS symptoms are often attributed to hormonal fluctuations. However, recent research has shown that the mental and physical stress caused by menstruation is a more significant contributing factor to various symptoms.
Some classic PMS symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Food cravings
- Acne
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Breast tenderness
- Diarrhea
- Increased sensitivity to light, smells, or sounds
- Irritability
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Fatigue
- Emotional outbursts
- Anxiety
- Depression
In severe cases, such as PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), these symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to function normally. If left undiagnosed, these symptoms can even lead to extremely aggressive behaviour and suicidal thoughts. This is why women need to monitor how premenstrual syndrome symptoms affect their daily lives carefully.
Who is at risk of developing PMS symptoms?
While it’s often believed that women always experience PMS symptoms during menstruation, this is a misconception. Some women experience very mild symptoms that have little to no negative impact on their lives.
However, certain genetic and lifestyle factors are known to increase the risk of developing PMS symptoms. These include:
- A family history of mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety
- A family history of PMS
- Any physical trauma
- Emotional trauma
- Violence
- Substance abuse
- Mental health problems, such as anxiety, depressive disorder, or seasonal affective disorder
How to Manage PMS Symptoms
If your PMS symptoms are unimportant, you can take these steps to manage them:
- Make indisputable you drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated.
- A balanced diet helps maintain overall energy levels.
- Supplements such as vitamin D, vitamin B-6, folic acid, or magnesium may reduce abdominal pain and emotional tension.
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night to reduce fatigue.
- Exercise, if possible, as this keeps levels of feel-good hormones high, which reduces emotional tension, a common symptom of PMS.
- Reduce stress as much as possible.
- If you experience bloating or water retention, taking diuretics may help.
- A warm compress or a warm bath is one of the best remedies for abdominal pain and cramps.
When should I see a doctor?
If PMS symptoms persist and interfere with your life, you should see a doctor. This applies to any physical pain or emotional symptoms that prevent you from functioning normally. It’s important not only to relieve symptoms but also to rule out any underlying conditions, such as:
- Endometriosis
- Anemia
- Thyroid disease
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Connective tissue disorders
- Rheumatological diseases
Your doctor may also review your family history of any chronic mental health conditions. Once diagnosed, your doctor may recommend medication to manage PMS symptoms or treat any underlying conditions.
Many specialists recommend keeping a PMS symptom diary to determine whether you are only experiencing some symptoms or if you have premenstrual syndrome, a condition diagnosed by a doctor.