Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) : Symptoms, Causes, Drugs, And Home Remedies

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) refers to emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms that happen in one to two weeks before a woman's period.Symptoms do not occur during pregnancy or following menopause.The exact symptoms and their intensity vary significantly from woman to woman.There are no laboratory tests or unique physical findings to verify the diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome.The standardized Instruments describe premenstrual syndrome, such as The Calendar of Premenstrual Syndrome Experiences (COPE), The Prospective Record Of The Impact And Severity Of Menstruation (PRISM), and The Visual Analogue Scales (VAS).

Premenstrual syndrome happens 

• More often in women who are between their late twenty years old and early forty years old.
• Having at least one child.
• Having a family history of depression
• Having a past medical history of either postpartum depression or a mood disorder.

Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome ( PMS )

Emotional Symptoms

• Tiredness
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Feeling angry
• Depressed mood or stress
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Poor concentration
• Loss of confidence
• Feeling upset
• Tearfulness
• Insomnia (difficulty with sleep)

Behavioral Symptoms

• Overeating
• Food cravings
• Social withdrawal
• Loss of interest in sex

Physical Symptoms

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Breasts tenderness or swelling
• Joint or muscle pain
• Acne
• Bloating
• Abdominal cramps
• Lower back pain
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Weight gain
• Swolen ankles

Cause of Premenstrual Syndrome

The causes of premenstrual syndrome are not clear but several factors may be involved :

• Changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle.
• Chemical changes in the brain, stress and emotional problems ( depression).
• Low vitamins and minerals.
• High sodium, alcohol and/or caffein can exacerbate symptoms, such as bloating and water retention.
• Weight and Exercise

Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome

Home Remedies and Lifestyle

• Diet is modified by choosing foods high in carbohydrate and rich in calcium, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and limiting salt and salty food.
• Regular daily exercise can relieve fatigue and a depressed mood.
• Stress is reduced by doing yoga or massage, getting enough sleep and practising progressive muscle relaxation.
• Stop smoking

Alternative Medicine

• The consumption of Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) helps in relieving pre-menstrual breast pain in some women.It is a source of gamma linoic acid.
• Taking Calcium and Vitamin D are to alleviate premenstrual pain and migraine.
• Taking Vitamin B6 is to relieve irritability and mood swings
• Consuming folic acid is to relieve depression and fatigue.
• Taking 360 mg of supplemental magnesium daily is to reduce fluid retention, bloating and breast tenderness in women with premenstrual syndrome.
• Acupuncture can relieve symptoms of pms.

Drugs for Premenstrual Syndrome

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) eases cramps and breast discomfort, including Ibuproven (Advil, Motrin IB) or Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).
• Antidepressants use Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including Paroxetine (Paxil,Paxeva), Fluoxetine (Prozac, Xaravem), and Sertraline (Zoloft).They are to treat severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Diuretics include Spironolactone (Aldactone) that handle water retention.
• Hormonal Medications use Hormonal Contraception, including the combined oral contraceptive pill and the contraceptive patch that are to reduce physical symptoms, Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist that are useful in treating severe forms of premenstrual syndrome, and Mirena Intra-Uterine System (IUS) that is a contraceptive coil to reduce the heaviness and duration of premenstrual syndrome period.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is psychological treatment to find more adaptive ways of coping with premenstrual syndrome.