Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

A well-known fact is that pms depression is connected with the menstrual period. As the result of hormonal changes in the body or/and because of lowering of serotonin level in the blood, whole condition of the body and of the psychological atmosphere is also not of the high level.

The only way to identify pms depression symptoms is to observe them and according to the woman’s report, the doctor can say that it’s the pms depression symptoms. Actually, this report is made based on the symptoms for 2 or 3 menstrual periods, otherwise, it’s impossible to say that this form of depression is pms depression exactly.
In this report there should be mentioned daily symptoms. As a result the doctor makes the whole picture of the whole menstrual cycle and of pms period and symptoms particularly.

The most frequent pms depression symptoms:

1- Mood swings

2 – Irritability

3 – Burst of anxiety

4 – Alcohol intolerance

5 – Feeling of hopeless condition

6 – Tearfulness

7 – Fatigue

8 – Nervous tension

9 – Changes in the appetite (either loss of appetite or overeating)

10 – Headaches

11 – Breast tenderness

One should mention that it’s impossible to enumerate all the pms depression symptoms as they are quite individual. That’s why to point out own pms symptoms, a woman should report all the changes I her body and mood for 2 or 3 monthes and, surely, consult a doctor.

All the symptoms appear about several days (sometimes a week or even two) before menses. Surely they should disappear after menses. In case they still are at present, it’s not pms depression symptoms. They are likely to be symptoms of neurosis and depression not connected with menstrual cycle.

Most women suffer from mood changes, irritability, anxiety and tearfulness. These symptoms are most common for all the women to consult the doctor. Physical changes in body and hormonal level in the blood causes headaches, breast pains, changes in appetite, muscle spasms and so on. In that case, especially in case of terrible pain (either headache or back pains), there is special treatment to relieve the pain.

One should remember that pms or PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) are not only psychological changes, but whole changes in the body and blood. These changes should be taken carry of and reported for further treatment if it’s needed. These symptoms are observed and reported but interfered with clinical treatment only in case of real bad condition of the body and their severe character.

The woman shouldn’t buy remedies and medicines by herself without consulting a doctor and without making special pms symptoms schedule. Otherwise, pms depression symptoms can be easily mixed up and mistaken with a more dangerous illness. By the way, a woman should feel whether these symptoms are connected with menstrual cycle or quite similar to pregnancy symptoms. In many cases they are quite similar. And this is one more reason not to institute therapy by her own but to consult the specialist.

One of the most unpleasant pms symptom is pms depression. Actually there is hardly anything in common between real depression and so-called pms depression, because real depression is not a ‘short-term’ depression.

First of all one should differentiate bad condition with real depression.
Surely, every woman can observe different physical and psychological changes in her body during pms period. Actually depression is really a terrible condition for the body and mind, it leads to constant irritability and mood swings. Among some serious symptoms doctors usually calls tearfulness, alcohol intolerance, panic conditions, anxiety, angry outbursts, insomnia. The worst variant of depression is neurosis combined with mental diseases.

According to the statistics, only 5% of all the world population suffer from real depression. Most women of these statistics suffer from depression because of hormonal changes in their body. And among them are really difficult and well-known conditions, like menopause and childbirth. Most of the doctors believe that the most serious women depression is connected with the pregnancy. But actually there are no proved facts that hormonal changes influence women life so much. Nevertheless, the doctors often proscribe some antidepressant using these periods.

PMS depression first of all is connects with the menstrual period. Usually it starts in the middle of menstrual period and connected with the low level of serotonin in the body. Being a neurotransmitter, serotonin transmits the signals between nerves in the brain and the whole body. Serotonin is known for its sleep, mood and appetite regulation in the body. So, it’s evident, that people, who suffer from mental diseases or who are under depression, has low level of serotonin in their blood. As they have level of serotonin in the blood, te signals from brain are weaker. So, the person has problems with the appetite, either overeating or malnutrition, sometimes it even causes total loss а appetite. As a result – insomnia, mood changes and so on.

Being a special type of depression, pms depression has its own symptoms and specifications. Ordinary psychological symptoms are insomnia, alcohol intolerance, mood swings, irritability, angry outbursts, confusion thinking, nausea. Surely, first of all it’s connected with the lower level of serotonin in the blood. The second reason is believed to cause this condition is hormonal changes.
Before buying various variations to treat pms depression one should point out whether ir’s a real PMS depression, or just ordinary depression or other psychological problems. Pms depression last not linger than a month as it-s connected with menstrual period, so, if it lasts longer than one menstrual – it’s not a pms depression, it’s some other type of problem, perhaps, even a real depression.
The best way in this case is to consult a doctor. Actually even before buying so-called safe ‘herbal’ medicines consult a doctor. The doctor is the only person to prescribe antidepressants and other types of herbal medicines to fight pms depression.

About three fourth of women at childbearing age feel discomfort during premenstrual period caused by various symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. In 10 percent of cases premenstrual syndrome (PMS) reveals in much more serious form called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

The difference between PMS and PMDD is in the strength of symptoms. Being more severe, PMDD has bigger influence on women’s daily activities and psychological state. As a rule, the symptoms of PMDD reveal themselves in the last week of menstrual cycle and disappear in a few days after menstruation starts. The typical symptoms include:

1 – Depression, continual nervousness or sadness

2 – Shifts of mood with often wing-dings

3 – Heightened irritation and furiousness

4 – Apathy and loss of interest to usual day-to-day activities

5 – Pain in joints, muscular ache, headache and other flu-like symptoms

6 – Breasts hypersensitivity

7 – Tiredness and sleepiness

8 – Slumber disorders – insomnia or sleeping too much, problems with falling asleep

9 – Surfeit, constant feel of hunger or loss of appetite

The reasons of PMDD are not found yet. Most of scientists note big resemblance between PMDD and major depression. But PMDD also affects women without major depression history.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is healed by decreasing or preventing the impact of its sympthoms. The main drugs used for this are:

1 – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are able to relieve breast sensitivity and cramping. Advil, Mortin and other medicines of this group are usually taken before or at the beginning of menstrual period.

2 – Antidepressants including serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are able to ease emotional discomfort and problems with slumber.

3 – Oral contraceptives can be used to neutralize the main cause of PMDD. They stop ovulation that lead to hormonal stability.

4 – Nutritional supplements like calcium, magnesium and vitamin B-6 reduce various problems caused by PMDD. Taking them regularly helps to normalize physical and emotional state.

5 – Herbal remedies can be used to reduce emotional symptoms of PMDD and headaches, as well as improve sleep. L-tryptophan and chastberry are clinically studied remedies.

6 – Diet and regular physical exercises. They both effectively reduce premenstrual symptoms, as well as recondition the whole organism. Reducing caffeine intake may decrease anxiety and emotional instability. Carbohydrates are able to improve mood.

It is important to consult a doctor when feeling the aforementioned symptoms. Only a qualified medic can determine the origin of symptoms, if it is PMDD or other disorder. If the reason is PMDD, a doctor will prescribe specific treatment for your symptoms that will help to minimize the impact of PMDD.