Premenstrual syndrome

Definition

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a compilation of over 150 symptoms that occur between ovulation and the beginning of menstruation. The symptoms include both physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness, final pain, abdominal cramps, headache, and change in appetite; behavioral symptoms such as clumsiness, poor concentration, and sleep problems; as powerfully as psychological symptoms of anxiety, irritability, depression, and unrest. Severe forms of this syndrome are referred to as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). These symptoms may be related to hormonal imbalances and hysterical disorders.

Description

Between 40-75% of all menstruating women experience symptoms that materialize before or during menstruation. PMS encompass a wide extent of symptoms, some as minor as appetite change or others so severe that they may interfere near daily enthusiasm. Some women experience a beneficial increase in their sexual libido. Only 3-7% of women experience the much more severe premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). These symptoms can last 4-10 days and can hold a substantial impact on a woman.

The reason some women get hold of severe PMS while others have little or none is not implied. PMS symptoms usually begin at puberty and end until menopause. Women more sensitive to hormonal change may experience PMS more than others. Stress is also a huge contributor and the nouns of tension recurrently lessens the other symptoms as very well. Overall however, it is difficult to predict who is most at risk for PMS.

Causes & symptoms

Because PMS is restricted to the second half of a woman's menstrual cycle, after ovulation, it is thought that hormones play a role. During a woman's monthly menstrual cycle, which last from 24-35 days, hormone levels modification. The hormone estrogen gradually rises during the first partially of a woman's cycle, the pre-ovulatory phase, and falls dramatically at ovulation. After ovulation, the post-ovulatory phase, progesterone levels at a snail`s pace increase until menstruation occurs. Both estrogen and progesterone are secreted by the ovaries, which are responsible for producing the eggs. The foremost role of these hormones is to cause thicken of the lining of the uterus (endometrium). However, estrogen and progesterone also affect other parts of the body, including the brain. In the brain and timid system, estrogen can affect the levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. Serotonin have long been certain to have an effect on emotion, as well as intake behavior. It is thought that when estrogen levels turn down during the post-ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, decreases within serotonin levels follow. Whether these change in estrogen, progesterone, and serotonin are responsible for the exciting aspects of PMS is not known near certainty. However, most researchers agree that the chemical nouns of signals in the brain and uneasy system is in some road related to PMS. This is supported by the fact that the times following childbirth and menopause are also associated near both depression and low estrogen levels.

Nutritional deficiency, food allergies, and hypoglycemia have be linked beside PMS. A diet deficient contained by essential fatty acids , zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B₆ may affect estrogen and progesterone production and their balance contained by the body.

Over 150 symptoms for PMS have be identified. These include physical, behavioral, and emotional aspects that array from mild to severe. The physical symptoms include bloating, headaches, food cravings, abdominal cramps, headache, tension, fatigue, acne, muscle ache, and breast tenderness. Behavioral symptoms may include insomnia, need of concentration, and clumsiness. Emotional aspects include mood swings, irritability, and depression.

Diagnosis

The best way to diagnose PMS is to review a detailed diary of a woman's symptoms for several months. PMS is diagnosed by the presence of physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms that are cyclic and materialize in association next to the premenstrual period of time. PMDD, which is far smaller quantity common, be officially traditional as a disease in 1987. Its diagnosis depends on the presence of at least possible five symptoms related to mood that disappear within a few days of menstruation. These symptoms must interfere near normal functions and accomplishments of the individual.

Treatment

There are many treatments for PMS and PMDD depending on the symptoms and their severity. Hypnotherapy, spiritual curative, color therapy , reflexology, Ayurvedic pills , Chinese herbalism, acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, herbal treatment, Naturopathic treatment, and homeopathy are all therapy that have be used to treat PMS.

Vitamins and minerals

Some women find relief beside the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. Magnesium can reduce the fluid retention that cause bloating, while calcium may decrease both irritability and bloating. Magnesium and calcium also aid relax smooth muscles, which may reduce cramping. Recent studies indicate that calcium supplements can exhaust premenstrual complaints by nearly half. Vitamin E reduce breast tenderness, disconcerted tension, fatigue, and insomnia. Vitamin B₆ decrease fluid retention, fatigue, irritability, and mood swings. Vitamin B₅ supports the adrenal glands and may help lessen fatigue.

Phytoestrogens and natural progesterone

The Mexican wild yam , Dioscorea villosa, contains a substance that may be converted to progesterone in the body. Because this substance is readily engrossed through the skin, it can be found as an ingredient in many skin creams. (Some products also enjoy natural progesterone added to them.) Some herbalists believe that these products can enjoy a progesterone-like effect on the body and decrease some of the symptoms of PMS.

The most prominent way to alter hormone level may be by eating more phytoestrogens. These plant-derived compounds own an effect similar to estrogen in the body. One of the richest sources of phytoestrogens is soy products, such as tofu. Additionally, copious supplements can be found that contain black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) or dong quai (Angelica sinensis), which are herbs giant in phytoestrogens. Red clover (Trifolium pratense), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), hops (Humulus lupulus), and legumes are also dignified in phytoestrogens. Increasing the consumption of phytoestrogens is also associated next to decreased risks of osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease .

Herbal treatment

Herbal treatment have been used to treat masses symptoms of PMS. Herbs to alleviate cramps include angelica root, cramp bark , kava kava , red raspberry, black haw , and rosemary. Black cohosh, peppermint, strawberry branch, and valerian root have be used to decrease mood swings. Dandelion, couch grass, and hawthorn are successful diuretic herbs used to stifle bloating and swelling. Burdock root and red clover are liver cleansing herbs that can be adjectives in eliminate excess estrogen from the system. Herbs to balance hormones include blessed thistle , dong quai, false unicorn root, fennel kernel, sarsparilla root, and squaw vine. Feverfew may be effective for migraine headache.

Many herbs may be beneficial as a organic antidepressant. St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has stood up to solid trials as an effective antidepressant. As next to the standard antidepressants, however, it must be taken continuously and does not show an effect until used for four to six weeks. There are also herbs, such as skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and kava kava (Piper methysticum), that can relieve the anxiety and irritability that regularly accompany depression. An good thing of these herbs is that they can be taken when symptoms ensue rather than continually. Chaste-berry tree (Vitex agnus-castus) and to helping rebalance estrogen and progesterone in the body also may relieve the anxiety and depression associated with PMS.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy oil can be a useful nouns treatment for PMS. Lavender oil reduce headaches, cramps, and aching breasts. Chamomile and sandalwood oils may be used to relieve stress and stiffness. Premenstrual fatigue may be remedied by geranium, bergamot, and rosemary oils.

Homeopathy

A number of homeopathic remedies may be applied contained by the treatment of PMS, depending upon the individual's symptoms. Natrum muriaticum may be the appropriate remedy when irritability, lack of self-confidence, depression, anxiety, and headache are present. Sepia may be given when PMS is accompanied by stress, weepiness, and to silent nerves. Symptoms of indifference, panic attacks, anger, rigidity, hair loss , sugar cravings, and a reduced sex drive may indicate that Kali carbonicum may be the appropriate remedy.

Allopathic treatment

Allopathic treatments available include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or acetominophen, antidepressant drugs, hormone treatment, or (only in extreme cases) surgery to remove the ovaries. Anti-inflammatory drugs are adjectives in reducing headache, muscle aches, and cramping. One guidance is to begin taking the anti-inflammatory one to two days in the past the onset of cramps. Doing so will block the cramp-causing hormones, prostaglandins, and may prevent any nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea associated next to PMS. Hormone treatment usually involves oral contraceptives. This treatment used to prevent ovulation and the changes surrounded by hormones that accompany ovulation. Recent studies, however, indicate that hormone treatment have little effect over placebo.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants prescribed for PMS include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), and paroxetine (Paxil). They are termed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and feat by indirectly increasing the brain serotonin levels, thus stabilizing emotion. Some doctors prescribe antidepressant treatment for PMS throughout the cycle, while others direct patients to take the drug solitary during the latter half of the cycle. Antidepressants should be avoided by women wanting to become pregnant. Side effects of sertraline be found to include nausea, diarrhea, and decreased libido.

Expected results

The prognosis for women next to both PMS and PMDD is good. Most women experience nouns from symptoms when treated.

Prevention

Maintaining a good diet, one low contained by sugars, salt, fat, alcohol, and caffeine, and high within phytoestrogens and complex carbohydrates, may prevent some of the symptoms of PMS. Consumption of more complex carbohydrates may relieve PMS symptoms since carbohydrates drop seratonin levels as they bump up insulin levels. For instance, two cups of cereal or a cup of pasta have enough carbohydrate to effectively increase serotonin level. Carbohydrates also provide steady levels of blood sugar and deed to stabilize one's mood. One recommendation is to get through 100 calories of complex carbohydrates every three hours beginning one week in the past menstruation. Complex carbohydrates include whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, and intact grain foods. Caution should be taken due to the certainty that a high carbohydrate diet cause water retention, which surrounded by turn is a symptom of PMS.

Women should try to exercise three times a week, keep surrounded by generally pious health, and verbs a positive self image. Because PMS is recurrently associated with stress, avoidance of stress or developing better mechanism to deal near stress can be important. Relaxation technique, meditation, and yoga practice can aid in stress contraction.

Key Terms

Antidepressant

A drug used to control depression.

Estrogen

A female hormone defining in the menstrual cycle.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger used to transmit an caprice from one nerve to the subsequent.

Phytoestrogens

Compounds found in plants that can mimic the effects of estrogen contained by the body.

Progesterone

A female hormone crucial in the menstrual cycle.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter central in regulating mood.

Symptoms of PMS

Physical	Emotional/behavioral
Weight gain	Moodiness/irritability
Fluid retention	Anxiety
Breast tenderness	Depression
Headaches and body aches	Panic attacks
Acne	Suicidal thoughts
Hot flashes	Crying fits
Nausea	Aggressiveness
Cold sores and herpes outbreaks
Constipation or diarrhea
Food cravings
Insomnia
Fatigue