What Is PMS

Depression, cramps, and headaches are some of the symptoms that mark the onset of the “Oh So Dreadful” days as most women associate with. These are the days when women suffer from Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS. It has become such a common term these days that it needs no introduction. Premenstrual Syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that affect women during the week preceding the start of their period.

These symptoms subside just as bleeding starts. These markers of PMS include headaches, frequent mood swings, depression, zit pop-ups and bizarre cravings. But you don’t have to suffer unreasonably because of PMS. You can try some of the home remedies given at the end to ease your PMS troubles.

Symptoms Of PMS

The signs and symptoms of PMS vary from individual to individual. Some women only have to deal with a mild headache while others have serious cramps and annoying mood swings. These indicators of Premenstrual Syndrome are different for the same person over the course of her life. It is very difficult to tell if you have mild symptoms or a serious case of PMS.

According to sexual health experts, a characteristic feature of PMS is that it is terrible enough to disrupt life patterns. More than 200 different symptoms have been associated with Premenstrual Syndrome. Some common and notorious symptoms of PMS are listed below:

Acne

Headache

Food cravings (a desire for sweet/salty food)

Mood swings (anger, crying spells, irritation)

Anxiety and depression

Back pain

Tender breasts

Joint pain

Bloating

Exhaustion

Changes in female libido

Increased emotional sensitivity

Cause Of PMS

The cause of PMS is unknown. Scientists have no idea why a woman suddenly loses all interest in life and loses her temper at the slightest of disturbances. The only explanation is hormonal disturbances that the body undergoes in preparation for menstruation. The changing hormones affect some women more than others.

Stress, anxiety and social factors don’t cause PMS but tend to worsen it. Low levels of sodium and a high dose of caffeine in the diet also increase the likelihood of Premenstrual Syndrome. It occurs most often in women aged 20-40 yrs.

Useful Tips To Alleviate PMS

Although living with Premenstrual Syndrome can be a real pain in the back, there are a few tried methods to make PMS-ing easier.

Talk To Your Doctor

Keep a track of your symptoms. By this, we mean that you should keep a close eye on the beginning of your illness. Use a calendar to mark the date when you first feel cranky and disturbed. Your doctor will need this information to ensure that it really is PMS. This is because some anxiety disorders also imitate PMS.

If your symptoms are so severe that you need a lot of painkillers, then you must inform your Gynecologist. Taking a lot of pain medications can cause serious harm to other parts of the body. Your doctor may suggest a particular medicine that works just fine for you.

Some doctors prescribe NSAIDs, multivitamins (folic acid), calcium and magnesium supplements to women who have PMS.

PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) requires treatment with prescription antidepressants.

Also, have your thyroid checked as complications with this gland can also cause headaches and dizziness.

Avoid Foods High In Sugar

Eating foods rich in carbohydrates can cause bloating and puffiness. This doesn’t mean that you need to lay off the cake. Just be careful and plan ahead of time. When you know that you may be vulnerable to bloating, try to consume less sugar.

Take Adequate Rest

It is important to work hard but taking adequate rest is crucial for your body. So if you have been burning the midnight oil lately, you might want to catch a nap. Get plenty of sleep to relieve symptoms of PMS.

Hit The Gym

In addition to making you feel good, exercise comes with the bonus of stabilizing your mood. Exercising regularly releases higher serotonin which is the hormone that makes you feel good. So lifting a few weights can not only make you feel stronger but also bless you with a happier period. Engage in deep breathing exercises as they help reduce stress.

Invest In A Stress-Reduction Technique

If you have Premenstrual Syndrome, you feel anxious and stressed for no reason at all. So you might want to employ a stress reduction technique. You can do so by joining a yoga class or meditating on your own. Invest in a massage. Spend time gardening or bird-watching. Do whatever it takes to become stress-free and reduce PMS symptoms.

Try Herbal Remedies

Science fails to support the effectiveness of herbal remedies but some women find relief with ginger, black cohosh, red raspberry leaf tea, and evening primrose oil.

Chasteberry is well known for easing the symptoms of PMS-related breast pain. Chasteberrry combined with St. John’s wort lessens mood swings and food cravings.

A small research reveals that dandelion helps reduce bloating and swelling.

Quit Drinking

The symptoms of PMS are worsened by high amounts of alcohol. Taking too much caffeine can also aggravate the condition. Alcohol can bring about certain lifestyle changes that can increase the risk of Premenstrual Syndrome such as malnourishment and drug abuse. Studies have found that alcohol consumption exacerbates Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms. You should also avoid the use of caffeine.

Conclusion

PMS is an occasional illness of the female reproductive system. It occurs among women of child-bearing age and is characterized by abrupt mood swings, cramps, and irritability. The symptoms occur a week or two before your period starts and vanish once bleeding begins. In case you are suffering from a severe case of Premenstrual Syndrome, then you must follow the tips and cures listed above. PMS can be really uncomfortable and cruel at times but our remedial measures are the silver lining to your to troubles.

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