Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Q: I experience unexpected and rapid mood changes before menstruation, a few days before it starts. Can I somehow control them to avoid troubles at work and home? Such emotional drops really affect my life and relations with colleagues and family.

A: It is typical display of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Some psychiatrists call it Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), but it means pretty the same in your case.

Premenstrual syndrome is rather popular disorder experienced by more than 30% of woman worldwide. It reveals in various emotional and physical symptoms, and mood swings is one of the most typical symptoms. The problem is that PMS is not properly studied yet, the connection between PMS and emotional state is still unclear, so there is no definite treatment suitable for all. However a lot of patients find some therapies effective, such as taking magnesium mineral, calcium pills, St. John’s wort medicines or Prozac. These medicines have already shown its effectiveness and were clinically tested, that gives some guarantee for successful treatment. The rest of therapies mostly built on beliefs with no medical ground.

As for the vitamins and minerals, there are a few that can help:

-Vitamin E  for daily intake of 400-800 UI dose;

-Vitamin B6 – 50 mg daily or twice a day;

- for 1,000 – 1,500 mg daily;

-Zinc – 15-25 mg per day;

-Magnesium (325-750 mg daily according to doctor’s recommendations).

The herbs useful for treating PMS are flaxseed or borage oil, usually supplied in capsules. These oils give special fatty acids that can relief various pains and emotional PMS symptoms. Evening primrose oil is a popular treatment for increased breast tenderness. Chamomile or valerian root act as a sedative medicines that can remove aggressive mood or anxiety, but be careful and don’t take them at morning or daytime, as they reduce concentration. Dandelion leaves are effective for excess fluid excretion.

In Europe PMS is often treated by St. John’s wort (Hypericum) that already proved its effectiveness. The medical practice shows that the most helpful regime of its intake is 300 mg daily. From 10th cycle day till the periods start, increase the dose to 300 mg three times per day. Each cycle begins from the first day of menstruation. Sometimes it is enough to take less or increasing the dose only before ovulation (about 14th cycle day). It is individual in each case.

Remember that there are also non-medicine therapies that can help to reduce PMS symptoms. Exercises and diet are among such methods. Aerobics increases the output of endorphins and reliefs mood swings and depression, having positive effect on the whole organism. Replace simple carbohydrates (cookies or candies) by complex carbohydrates (vegetables), eat more frequently but by less dosing. You can use special “PMS Escape” drink with complex carbohydrates, but it more expensive than vegetables and grains. Try to limit alcohol intake, simple sugars or fattening foods also should be avoided.

If these measures don’t help, consult a doctor for finding another therapy including SSRI antidepressants. Some drugs like Zoloft or Prozac successfully treat PMS symptoms. They are ethical medications.

And don’t forget that PMS is not the only reason of mood swings. Some medical disorders like diabetes or endocrine system disorders, as well as psychiatric pathologies, may cause the same symptoms. If PMS therapy doesn’t help, it is better to see your doctor to find the actual reason and proper therapy.

This article was written by a nurse from one of the US clinics that wished to stay anonymous.

She shares her knowledge about emotional symptoms during PMS and how to fight them. If you found the information useful, please leave your comments.

During PMS many women experience various emotional problems like mood swings, stresses, sudden willing to cry or argue with everyone around. The most frequent emotional symptom of PMS is anxiety that causes big discomfort in everyday life.

During a long time scientists didn’t connect emotional discomfort to premenstrual syndrome, but later they realized that psychological state is directly connected to cyclic hormonal changes in the female organism, and anxiety and stress are common PMS symptoms.

Such emotional changes have various origins, not only PMS. It can be related to various problems at home or at work, conflicts in relationships, mental health disorders, etc. The environment can affect your emotional stability, causing stresses that can be regarded as PMS symptoms. Combined with hormonal changes, problems around can worsen the situation, turning woman into a deep depression.

It was found that the main reason of anxiety and other emotional changes during PMS is estrogen level changes. Perhaps severe stress is an alarm of PMDD that has a lot in common with PMS but its symptoms are much stronger and sometimes unbearable. PMDD is the most difficult case of PMS that requires medical assistance.

Every tenth woman of childbearing age suffers from PMDD in the USA. Most of them experience the same emotional problems that are typical for manic depression. As a rule patients with PMDD experience rapid mood swings from happiness in the first minute to deep sadness in the second. Such swings lead to deep emotional instability and exhaustion. Also they admit extraordinary sensitivity to things that has no matter to them before.

It is natural for women to be sensitive to different things, but the natural sensitivity has nothing in common with unbearable symptoms of PMS or PMDD especially. Stresses and feel of anxiety are only a part of possible reactions to hormones during premenstrual period, and women struggle from them each month before periods begin. The only way to fight instability is to learn how to control emotions and stresses, helping yourself to manage with PMS and return your life into the normal state.

Many specialists will advise you to take vitamins of B-group, go in for sports like aerobics, use relaxation practices like meditation and balance your diet to avoid potential impact on hormones.

Also natural progesterone creams showed effective results in treating anxiety and mood swings during premenstrual period. The alternative supplement for stabilizing emotions before periods is Kava Kava.

There are a lot of medications available today, that is why it is better to consult a doctor who can select the best treatment for your individual set of symptoms.

Don’t wonder if he will prescribe something that was not listed in this article, it is fully possible.

Do your best to tune your lifestyle on the right way and follow doctor’s advices to feel good at any period of cycle!