Menstruation, commonly known as a woman's periods, is the regular release of mucosal tissue & blood from the inner lining of the uterus. Up to 80% of women report some warning signs in the time leading to menstruation. Acne, tender breasts, bloating, feeling tired, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability, and depression are symptoms of menstruation, and are termed as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) when they interfere with daily living activities. PMS-Symptoms-Diagram-280x3001

Around 20% to 30% of women have moderate symptoms of PMS, while 3% to 8% have severe symptoms. The more severe form of PMS is known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) with greater psychological symptoms, affects an estimated 3% to 8% of premenstrual women.

The physical and emotional symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome need to occur consistently over a period of several months after ovulation and before menstruation and need to be severe enough to interfere with daily living activities and tasks for a case of PMS to be diagnosed.

Many women may experience only a few of the potential symptoms:

Emotional and Behavioural Symptoms

  • Tension or anxiety
  • Depressed mood
  • Crying spells
  • Mood swings including irritability or anger
  • Appetite changes, i.e., food cravings
  • Insomnia
  • Social withdrawal
  • Poor concentration

Physical Symptoms

  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Weight gain related to fluid retention
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Breast tenderness
  • Acne
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation or diarrhoea

The causes of Premenstrual Syndrome aren't known, though several factors may contribute to PMS:

  • Premenstrual Syndrome reflect hormonal fluctuations but disappear during pregnancy and at menopause.
  • Chemical changes in the brain, due to Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, thought to play a crucial role in mood states, could make PMS symptoms worse. Deficiency in serotonin levels may add to premenstrual depression, fatigue, food cravings and inability to sleep. Some women with Premenstrual Syndrome depression may have undiagnosed depression, though this isn't true for all women.

No laboratory tests or unique physical findings can determine a diagnosis of PMS, excepting a consistent appearance of 3 factors:

  • A woman's main complaint must have one or more of the emotional symptoms linked to PMS such as irritability, tension, or unhappiness. Displaying only has physical symptoms such as cramps or bloating is not enough cause for a diagnosis of PMS.
  • Symptoms must appear regularly during the premenstrual phase, lessen or fade unfailingly immediately before or during menstruation, and shouldn't recur before or during ovulation.
  • The symptoms must be severe enough to disrupt or interfere with the woman's everyday life.

For a diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, a woman & her gynaecologist must record her PMS symptoms over a period of several months.

Treatment

While dietary supplements such as calcium, vitamin B6, and vitamin E are recommended to reduce PMS & PMDD symptoms, some doctors recommend exercise to alleviate symptoms.

Anti-depressants such as fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram are prescribed continually or during the ovulation stage depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Medications such as oral contraceptives or birth control pills interfere with ovulation and ovarian hormonal production treat PMDD are also used to treat PMDD.