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What Is Premenstrual Syndrome?
Mood swings,
tender breasts, a swollen abdomen, food cravings, fatigue,
irritability and depression. If you experience some or all of
these symptoms in the days before your monthly period, you may
have premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
In fact, as many as 75 percent of menstruating women have some
premenstrual symptoms. Symptoms are most common in your 20s and
30s and tend to develop a predictable pattern. Yet the physical
and emotional changes you experience may be more or less intense
each menstrual cycle. |
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Still,
you don't have to let these symptoms rule your world. In recent
years much has been learned about PMS. Treatments and lifestyle
adjustments can help you reduce or manage your symptoms.
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Signs and Symptoms
For
many women the symptoms of PMS are an uncomfortable and unwelcome
part of their monthly menstrual cycle. For an estimated 30 percent
to 40 percent of women, however, the physical pain and emotional
stress are severe enough to affect their daily routines and
activities. For most of these women, symptoms disappear as the
menstrual period begins. But about 7 percent have a form of PMS so
disabling that it has its own psychiatric designation -
premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
The most common physical and emotional symptoms associated with
PMS include:
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Weight
gain from fluid retention.
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Abdominal
bloating.
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Breast
tenderness
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Tension
or anxiety
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Crying
spells
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Mood
swings and irritability or anger
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Appetite
changes and food cravings
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Joint
or muscle pain
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Nausea
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Vomiting
Headache
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Difficulty
concentrating
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Fatigue
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Causes
While no one knows
the exact cause of PMS, there are several theories on the factors
that may contribute to its symptoms. Cyclic changes in hormones
seem to be an important cause, as symptoms of PMS change with
hormonal manipulations and also disappear with pregnancy and
menopause.
Chemical changes in the brain may also be involved. One clue to
the cause may be traced to fluctuations of serotonin, a brain
chemical that is thought to play a crucial role in mood states,
especially depression. A class of antidepressants called selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors help alleviate PMS symptoms,
probably because of their effect on this brain chemical.
Occasionally, some women with severe PMS have undiagnosed
depression, though depression alone does not cause all of the
symptoms associated with PMS. Stress also may aggravate some of
the symptoms, but alone is not a cause.
Some PMS symptoms have been linked to low levels of vitamins and
minerals. Eating a lot of salty foods, which may cause fluid
retention, and drinking alcohol and caffeine, which may cause mood
and energy level disturbances, also have been identified as
possible contributors to PMS.
In the end it's possible all of these factors contribute to some
degree.
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Screening and Diagnosis
There are no
physical findings or laboratory tests to diagnose PMS. Your
physician may attribute a particular symptom to PMS if it is part
of your predictable premenstrual pattern. To establish a pattern,
your physician may ask you to keep a record of your symptoms on a
calendar or in a diary for at least two menstrual cycles. It is
important to note the day you first noticed symptoms appear and
disappear. Also be sure to mark the day your period started.
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Self-Care
You can manage or
reduce the symptoms of PMS by making changes in the way you eat,
exercise or approach daily life. Steps you can take now include:
Modifying Your Diet
Eat smaller, more frequent meals to reduce bloating and the
sensation of fullness.
Eat at the same time every day, if possible, to avoid bloating.
Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables and
whole grains, and foods rich in calcium).
Limit salt and salty foods for 1 to 2 weeks to reduce bloating and
fluid retention.
Avoid caffeine to lessen irritability, tension and breast
soreness.
Avoid alcohol before your period to minimize mood swings and
depression.
Incorporating Exercise into Your Regular Routine
Engage in brisk walking, cycling, swimming or other aerobic
activity for 20 to 30 minutes at least three times a week to
improve your overall health and sense of well being. Regular
exercise also can help keep symptoms such as fatigue from becoming
exacerbated.
Reducing Stress
Get plenty of sleep.
Practice progressive muscle relaxation or deep breathing exercises
to help lessen headaches, anxiety or trouble falling asleep.
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Premenstrual
Syndrome & Homeopathy
Homeopathic
medicines can help the patient feel psychologically better and can
help to relieve her physical symptoms also.
After homeopathic medication, the female experiences a general
feeling of well being. The intensity and duration of pain before,
or during, periods will reduce and subsequently disappear. Menses,
if irregular will slowly start becoming regular. Bleeding, if
profuse, will reduce and return to normal. Premenstrual symptoms
like irritability, breast engorgement and water retention will
slowly reduce and eventually disappear.
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