PMS Symptoms

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PMS affects thousands of women each month. Learning its symptoms and the treatment options available can help you better deal with the aches, pains and emotional disturbances associated with it.

Premenstrual Syndrome, or PMS, directly correlates with the menstrual cycle. Symptoms can occur up to two weeks before the cycle begins. Once menstruation begins, most symptoms subside. Here, we discuss the reasons PMS occurs, treatment options, and the symptoms commonly experienced by women.

What Causes PMS?

Although the causes of PMS aren't clear, scientists speculate that several factors may contribute to the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms. During the menstrual cycle, your hormones fluctuate, causing chemical changes. These changes can cause a plethora of symptoms, including mood swings, insomnia, and skin problems.

How Diet Can Affect Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms

Your diet can also affect the severity of your symptoms. Vitamin and mineral deficiency can cause many problems, including fatigue, muscle pain, emotional disturbances, and skin problems. Many women crave salty foods, which can cause edema. Finally, caffeine and alcohol can alter energy levels and emotional responses.

PMS Symptoms

Because the symptoms of PMS vary from woman to woman, it can be challenging to determine which symptoms are related to PMS and which are related to another health condition. Keeping a journal of symptoms for a few months can help you ascertain whether your symptoms are related to hormonal fluctuations or another cause.

• Skin Conditions

PMS can cause changes in your skin. When the hormones in your body swing from one extreme to another, you may experience skin eruptions, including acne, rashes, itching, and oily skin. About a week before menstruation begins, estrogen levels plummet, and testosterone levels increase, causing skin troubles.

• Emotional Disturbances

Emotional disturbances, insomnia, fatigue, UE, and anxiety are some of the most common symptoms of PMS. Many women experience crying episodes, depression, and feelings of despair. Soon after menstruation begins, these emotional and sleep disturbances subside.

• Physical Problems

Right before your period, a plethora of physical manifestations can occur. Your breasts may become tender and swollen. You may experience digestion issues, including constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and an upset stomach. Pain can occur throughout the body. Women may experience headaches, back pain, muscle pain, and achy joints.

Treatment Options

Women can make lifestyle changes to help alleviate the symptoms of PMS. Additionally, prescription and over-the-counter medicines can help ease your suffering. Finally, several natural alternative therapies can also help reduce symptoms.

• Lifestyle modification is your first line of defense against premenstrual syndrome. Getting enough exercise, taking supplements, controlling your diet, and using stress management techniques can all help you cope with PMS.
• Physical activity is good for the body and the emotions. If you experience fatigue, bloating, insomnia, depression, or body pains, exercising at least 30 minutes daily can help. Choose activities that get your heart pumping, such as running, biking, swimming, or power walking, for the best results.
• If you suffer from fatigue or depression, a calcium supplement can help. For best results, take 500 milligrams of calcium with breakfast and dinner to supply your body with the nutrients it needs to regulate your hormones. If you prefer to get your calcium naturally, eat a diet filled with dairy products and dark, green, leafy vegetables. Include Health Concerns supplements  designed for women's health to relieve PMS symptoms. 
• Iron is another ordinary mineral menstruating women need. Because of the blood loss that occurs every month, many women experience anemia. Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, the building blocks of blood.
• Vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin C also help prevent anemia. Vitamin B12 helps the body convert food into energy, aids in producing red blood cells and allows the bone marrow to regenerate. Folic acid helps cells divide and grow rapidly. Additionally, it helps synthesize and repair DNA and RNA. Finally, the body requires vitamin C to absorb iron.

Diet Changes

During the weeks leading up to your period, there are certain foods you should avoid. Limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol you consume. These two substances can increase your nervousness, insomnia, and anxiety.

You will also want to avoid excess sweets if you suffer from PMS. Sugary treats, candy, and sodas can cause blood sugar fluctuations, resulting in hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue.

Finally, you should avoid excess sodium. Limit your daily intake to 150 micrograms. Too much salt can cause the body to retain fluid, which is also known as edema. This excess fluid causes bloating and pain.

Stress Management

Learning to manage stress using various relaxation techniques can help you overcome the emotional issues often experienced during PMS. Yoga, group therapy, meditation, and deep breathing techniques have been shown to manage mood swings and depression effectively.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications

Numerous over-the-counter and prescription medications can alleviate PMS issues. NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, can help relieve cramps, breast tenderness, headaches, and backaches. These medications can be found in the pain relief section of your local pharmacy.

If you suffer from severe PMS, your physician may recommend a prescription medication to stop ovulation. Birth control pills are often the prescribed medication of choice. They have been shown to lighten periods and lessen the symptoms associated with PMS, including cramps, mood swings, and headaches.

Alternative Therapies

Numerous alternative therapies are used to help prevent and control PMS. Doctors specializing in naturopathy often recommend herbal formulas containing black cohosh, evening primrose oil, and Chasteberry. Black cohosh is used to treat insomnia and irritability. Likewise, evening primrose oil contains pain-relieving phenylalanine to relieve headaches, muscle pains, cramps, and back pain. Finally, Chasteberry relieves breast pain, headaches, constipation, and mood swings. 

PMS affects thousands of women each month. Premenstrual syndrome can affect any menstruating female. Symptoms can range from mild irritations to debilitating. Learning the symptoms of PMS and the treatment options available can help you better deal with the aches, pains, and emotional disturbances associated with PMS.

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