What is premenstrual syndrome?

MBBS
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What is premenstrual syndrome(PMS)?

As a woman, we all know that most of the times our mood somehow depends on our menstrual cycle. While intense mood swings, food cravings, and tenderness in the breasts before periods is known as Premenstrual syndrome.

How common is premenstrual syndrome(PMS)?

3 out of every 4 menstruating women experience some and other form of premenstrual syndrome. Making it very common amongst women of reproducible age

What are the causes of premenstrual syndrome?

Exact cause of PMS is unknown. But there are some factors that might be responsible:

  • Depression: Undiagnosed depression in many women can lead to symptoms of PMS, it does not causes all the symptoms present but can be responsible for low mood.
  • Chemical changes in the brain: Serotonin hormone helps in regulating our mood. Low levels of serotonin can present in the form of mood swings in this syndrome.
  • Hormonal fluctuations: Changes in the level of hormones during our menstrual cycle can influence some symptoms.

What are the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome?

  • Feeling anxious, depressed or angry
  • Episodes of crying
  • Bloating
  • Tenderness in the breasts
  • Constipation or diarrhoea
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Food cravings
  • Trouble in falling asleep

How to treat premenstrual syndrome?

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help in easing the symptoms, if doing so is not helping and you can’t do your daily activities it is better to see a general physician.

What do you think are many women aware of this syndrome?

MBH/PS

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For people with irregular menstrual cycles do PMS symptoms occur at exaggeration as the hormone levels are higher then for ones having regular cycles?

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I think most of females go through this. PMS can be treatable, a gynaecologist may recommend therapies and lifestyle changes. These may include cognitive behavioural therapy and hormonal medicine, such as the combined contraceptive pill.

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I have experienced these symptoms before. I didn’t know that they were considered PMS. I thought that PMS is just about mood swings

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I think many women are aware of PMS and they go through it, but they need to know that persistent and severe symptoms may sometimes need medical attention.

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Very informative post! PMS is common, but many women may not realize how much it can affect their physical and emotional well-being. Awareness is definitely important.

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Periods are still surrounded by a lot of taboo and silence in many parts of the country. PMS is often joked about or dismissed as something women simply have to “put up with.” I feel that this normalisation can sometimes prevent women from recognising when their symptoms are more than just the usual discomfort.

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Exactly

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Yes

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Even though every 3 in 4 women are going through premenstrual syndrome, it is shocking to see some people believe it is all in women’s head!

Even due to lack of awareness, women are blaming themselves for their mood swings, sadness, anxiety and irritability.

Normalising such conversations would help to reduce the stigma around menstrual health and wellness.

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