PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

Almost all women experience some physical or emotional symptoms before they begin their period. These symptoms are called premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. In a few women, it will severely affect their work, family, or lifestyle.

Although no one knows the exact cause of PMS, there are several theories about what contributes to its symptoms. PMS symptoms are related to hormone changes. Stress will not cause PMS, but it may aggravate some of the symptoms. Low levels of vitamins and minerals have been linked to PMS symptoms as well as changes in serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood states.

The main emotional symptoms of PMS include:

crying spells
tension or anxiety
depression
irritability and mood swings
fatigue and
difficulty concentrating

The main physical symptoms of PMS include:

headache
nausea and vomiting
weight gain from fluid retention
food cravings and appetite changes
abdominal bloating
joint or muscle pain and
breast tenderness

There are ways to limit the effects of PMS. Regular exercise, quitting smoking, and limiting, sugar, caffeine, and salt may help decrease the symptoms. Over-the-counter medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can minimize the pain and discomfort.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. NSAIDs should not be taken by anyone who has been diagnosed with asthma, ulcer disease, or a bleeding disorder. Taking NSAIDs increases the risk of bleeding with trauma, dental work, surgery, or if taking blood thinners (anticoagulants).

Additional medical treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider may include mild diuretics (water pills), hormone therapy, or antidepressant drugs. Sometimes just taking a warm bath, listening to some soothing music, or some other relaxing activity can help reduce the stress.

There are alternative treatments and natural remedies that help ease the symptoms of PMS. These include acupuncture, calcium, vitamin E, and magnesium supplements, and some herbal remedies. Some natural remedies have been clinically proven to be safe and effective, others have not. Be cautious if you are taking any prescription medicines because some alternative treatments are not safe when combined with certain prescribed medications. Check with your healthcare provider before starting any alternative treatment, especially when they include using herbs, or excessive doses of vitamins or minerals.

If you have any PMS symptoms in spite of these treatment options, then before returning to see your provider, keep a diary of your symptoms, the activities you are doing, and your self-care. Use a rating system, such as 1 to 10, with 10 being most severe, to rate how severe each day's problems were. This information will be helpful to your provider in finding out what is wrong and providing the best treatment to ease your symptoms.

A woman with very severe symptoms of depression, irritability, and/or mood swings that interfere with relationships, social functioning, and work or school may have premenstrual dysphoric disorder. These symptoms appear 14 days before menstruation and resolve after it starts. While similar to the emotional symptoms of PMS, premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms are much more severe, and require keeping a daily journal for 2 months to determine the actual cause and appropriate treatment.

PMS is a frustrating problem for many women and their families. Support groups are available for women dealing with the challenges of PMS. For more information, call the Women's Health America Group at (800) 222-4PMS or visit their website at www.womenshealth.com. Another resource for patient education information is the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists at (800) 762-2264 or www.acog.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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