Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Different doctors classify various PMS symptoms in different ways. There are about 150 symptoms that can be reasonably divided into seven categories by the areas they affect.

Emotional: mood changes, irritation, uneasiness, the feel of panic, depression, crying too often

Behavior changes: apathetic or aggressive bearing, unwillingness to do usual activities, impulsive decisions without any substantiation

Autonomic: rapid pulse, sickness or constipation, increased perspiration, shiver, hot flushes, weak eyesight

Fluid accumulation: edemas, gain in weight, upper and lower extremities swelling

Skin Problems: rashes, herpes, hypersecretion of sebaceous glands, papules and increased allergic reactions

Cognitive: memory problems, absent-mindedness, low attentiveness, problems with intellectual activities.

Physical Pain: frequent headaches, severe muscle pains, neck and joint aches, breast discomfort and increased sensitivity

The aforementioned symptoms are the most frequent displays of PMS. All of them are caused by hormonal disbalance during the second part of menstrual cycle (the period after ovulation). They are experienced from two weeks to one day before periods, and after it begins, the symptoms are significantly relieved or totally disappear. The general picture of symptoms can change from time to time, or they can stay stable each month. As PMS depends on hormonal changes, there are some phases when it can be especially severe. These are pubertal period, post-pregnancy period, menopause, birth control pills intake, the period after surgical procedures like hysterectomy or tubal ligation. The hormonal balance of women’ organism can be affected by stresses or emotional shocks that also intensifies PMS syndrome.

Acupuncture is Helpful PMS Therapy?
Acupuncture is a natural therapy that doesn’t require any chemical medicines and has almost no side effects. The research results posted in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics journal in 2002 showed that the effectiveness of acupuncture procedures for treating PMS syndrome was 77.8%, while the same result in placebo control group was only 5.9%. These numbers show that acupuncture is an effective non-medicament way of treating PMS symptoms. Its action mechanism is stimulating various acupuncture points responsible for normalizing the endocrine system operation and producing hormones for required balance. In such a way the amount of progesterone and estrogen is increased, that neutralizes the affect of high estrogen concentration during the luteal phase – the main cause of PMS symptoms. Acupuncture therapy provides with stable hormone balance during each cycle.

How long is the course of treatment?
As a rule the human organism reacts on acupuncture very fast, especially when this therapy is combine with traditional Chinese herbal medicine. PMS symptoms are relieved after the first month of therapy, and the progress continues during the next cycles. It is recommended one session per week during the first menstrual cycle with further reducing the number of sessions in accordance with patient’s condition. A doctor can use herbal medicine treatment together with acupuncture for better effect if needed.

What else can I do to make my treatment maximally effective?
While acupuncture and herbal medicines can effectively relief PMS symptoms, it is very important to support the organism by proper changes in lifestyle and diet habits. Some food can increase the display of PMS symptoms due to the influence on endocrine system. These are alcohol drinks, the excess of sugar in ration, soya products. This doesn’t mean that women struggling from PMS should avoid the intake of these foods, the point is reasonable ration planning, oriented at healthy food and stop overeating. All body systems operation depends directly on what we eat. To provide your organism with all it needs for proper functioning, make sure you get enough vitamins of A, B, C groups and necessary minerals from food. Exercises also influence positively. Chinese medicine admits that physical exercises stimulate the qi energy moving. When its move is stuck, we feel various pains, depressions, discomfort and PMS of course. You should ask a doctor’s advice to make proper changes in your lifestyle to stimulate PMS relief.

If you are one of those who prefer the natural route to buying some over the counter medicines helping you with the PMS weight gain and bloating that many women experience in the week before the period, below are some tips how to do that. The advice is simple and practical, making sure you get rid of PMS weight gain without taking any artificial pills.

The first step you should take is to make an effort and continue your regular exercises. It is not easy, because in some cases the hormonal fluctuations your body experiences during premenstrual syndrome make you feel a little crummy. Not feeling well is usually the main reason for women to refuse continuing exercises. But you should know that it’s a great idea to motivate yourself to keep your normal routine for many reasons.

First of all, besides experiencing weight gain during PMS, women’s self esteem can suffer at this time too. But if you don’t break your usual schedule of making exercises, you will get more endorphins produced, which are also known as the “feel-good” hormones. As you probably know, premenstrual syndrome also makes women to feel anxious or depressed. At this point, exercising during this time of the month is able to not only keep you fit, but also keep your self-image and spirits lifted naturally.

So simply remember the fact that your effort to continue exercises during PMS will help you fight PMS weight gain and keep your mood up, and it will be much easier to understand that it’s the simplest way to win the fight against PMS symptoms.

You also should of course be particular about what you eat in order to avoid weight gain during PMS. At this time, many women can experience craving for all kinds of “naughty foods”, including salty and sweet things, which is not very good for the health. Salt and sugar are precisely the kinds of food that are able to lead to weight gain at any time, and especially during PMS. The reason for women to experience such unexplainable cravings is again the common hormonal fluctuations taking place in their body in this particular time of the month.

What you can do to resist the cravings for “junk foods”? First of all, make sure you consume enough calcium and fiber. Both of them have been scientifically proven to keep your hormone levels balanced and lower many other unpleasant symptoms of PMS simultaneously, which includes weight gain as well. Getting enough fiber like that found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains will make you feel full faster, thus causing you to eat less. In addition, fiber can make you more “regular”, thus forcing you to “flush out” toxins from your organism in a more consistent way. This will lead you to feeling more fit and energized. Also it is highly recommended not to forget consuming the necessary dosage of all minerals and vitamins all the time, especially in time of undergoing PMS.

Finally, you can always lower your stress level considerably by using natural techniques of stress reduction. There are countless relaxation techniques you may try, for example special breathing techniques, Yoga practice and meditation, which are specifically designed to calm down, relax and feel better. Statistics say that many people like to use these methods in the early mornings, as it helps them to set a positive mood for the whole day, or in the evening before going to sleep, as it helps them to relax and sleep better. As an ultimate result, relaxation and good sleep will be your best friends to counteract the weight gain, depression and anxiety caused by premenstrual syndrome.

Feeling totally exhausted during PMS is too uncomfortable for modern women who has to do a lot of daily work and duties. If you are one of those who struggle from total tiredness during premenstrual period, don’t give up! You are not alone in this problem and there are some proven methods of relieving the PMS impact.

As a big part of PMS symptoms fatigue is a result of hormonal imbalance, as well as changes of neurotransmitters levels that occur in premenstrual cycle phase. It is not general for all women who experience PMS, but those who do may feel both physical and mental discomfort caused by total tiredness, constant willing to sleep and do nothing. The best thing is that it usually lasts a few days and can be significantly relieved if to listen to your organism and really get some rest! It is a good reason to remember that you should have time for yourself and take some day-offs. Fatigue is normal reaction of female body to hormonal changes. Try not to panic or get angry because of the lack of energy, and if something from your duties can wait, put it off for the time you will feel better. A few days in a month can be “fasting days”, when you just lie on a sofa and do nothing difficult. This is the best and the safest way of treating PMS fatigue.

There are a lot of methods that may help to reduce the period of PMS tiredness. You can drink much fluid, correct your dietary regime by increased intake of complex carbohydrates and reducing fatty food. Physical exercises also may help to relieve PMS symptoms, choose the best type of activity suitable for you. Coffee and caffeinated drinks can only worsen the situation, so try not to drink them during PMS period. Coffee can cause other symptoms like insomnia and anxiety.

PMS symptoms

-mood swings
-irritability
-depression
-anxiety
-angry outbursts
-confusion or fuzzy thinking
-tearfulness
-fatigue
-insomnia
-changes in libido
-overeating
-cravings, especially for salty or sweet foods
-alcohol intolerance
-acne
-hives
-abdominal and pelvic cramps
-bloating
-weight gain
-headaches
-menstrual migraines
-nausea
-fainting
-urinary problems
-breast swelling and pain
-edema (visible swelling, particularly in the hands, feet and legs)
-asthma
-sinus problems
-sore throat
-worsening of chronic conditions like arthritis and ulcers
-difficulty with coordination, being more prone to accidents
-dizziness, decreased balance
-heart pounding (palpitation)

Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome can debilitate some women, but there is clear evidence that calcium may help naturally relieving PMS.

Every woman knows that PMS symptoms are no laughing matter – bloating, food cravings, joint aches and mood changes can make the time prior to onset of menstruation a real challenge. The symptoms of PMS are surprisingly common, as more than 3/4 of women experience a few symptoms as a minimum within the week before a menstrual period. Of course, nonprescription painkillers like Advil will relieve some generalized aches, but it can’t treat mood swings or the irritability. Sometimes the signs can be so strong that women may be prescribed anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs, but they usually cause more side effects than relief.

Way to relieve PMS naturally
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published a great study, describing the ability of the calcium to help naturally relieving PMS. According to the results of a study, more than a thousand women took 1,200 milligrams of calcium for three month, and it helped them ease PMS symptoms, significantly decreasing them by half. According to some other researches, women suffering from heavy PMS symptoms usually have problems with calcium metabolism, and that is the main source of their symptoms. When it comes to the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, calcium appears to be an essential mineral.

Forms of calcium
There are lots of calcium compounds available. The abovementioned study used calcium carbonate. It can be found at most health food stores and drugstores. Another way is to take Tums Extra Strength pills containing 750mg of calcium carbonate. If you take 2 of them every day, it’ll be enough for necessary benefits.

Other ways to relieve PMS naturally
Taking calcium in order to relieve symptoms is just a part of a big plan targeted at relieving discomfort in women. For example, avoiding high carbohydrate meals and salt can help relieve the weight gain, bloating and cravings that most women experience within the week before menstruation period. Regular exercises are able to help eliminate mood swings. Other methods to relieve PMS symptoms include avoiding caffeine and nicotine, which tend to increase anxiety and tension and alter mood. It’s very important to sleep enough as well.

Despite it might not eliminate all of the PMS symptoms, calcium appears to help lots of women. A good tip is to keep your symptom diary, as it would help focus on the factors making the symptoms worse and consequently correct them.

Perimenopause is a difficult time for many women, and usually causes lots of discomfort, including insomnia. If it’s resulted from hot flashes, then it’ll resolve correspondingly with hot flash therapy. Another cause of insomnia could be anxiety. At this very part of the life, the same as if they were teenagers, women suddenly need much more sleep because their bodies are experiencing transitions, and this fact only increases sleep disturbances.

Keeping several simple rules can help to get a refreshing night’s sleep.

1. Take magnesium supplements one or two times a day, as lack of magnesium is a usual thing for women, causing them to wake up several times during the night. Calcium and antioxidants supplements will also help to get a good sleep.

2. Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine.

3. Never overeat before bedtime. However, light and healthy snack before going to bed can help. Make sure the meal is low in carbohydrates but high in protein. A good example is cottage cheese, regular cheese, lean meat or fresh fruit.

4. Change your bedroom a little – take the TV away, cover all the mirrors and always sleep in the dark so that nothing could disturb you.

5. Keep doing exercise on a regular basis.

6. Develop your own ritual of going to bed and stick to it. Try to tell your body it’s time to relax by changing into your pajamas and completing the evening hygiene an hour or a half before planned going to bed. Don’t break a schedule on weekends – go to bed at usual time.

7. Clean your head before bedtime. Don’t keep pondering about the events of the day, trying to recall or memorize what you’ve said, did or never did, don’t plan the “to do” list for the next day, just turn your brain off. If you have any difficulties with that, try a prayer and deep breaths. Writing down whatever is worrying you might also be helpful – you would be able to think about everything in the morning.

8. Calm and relax in the evening, avoid reading, watching or talking about anything disturbing.

9. Meditation helps much of course.

10. If you tried everything said above and still experience difficulties with falling asleep, don’t despair. Get out of bed and go take some natural aid supporting sleeping, valerian root for example. It will finally help you re-establish sleeping patterns.

Never get upset if you can’t get to sleep. That won’t last forever, and it’s mostly up to you to relax and wake in the morning fresh and happy!

I’m sure you can tell me plenty of reasons why sex during your period and especially at the height of premenstrual syndrome seems unsafe and undesirable for you. But I can tell you that period sex is entirely safe. Moreover, it can even make you feel better!

As I am a woman too, I know how you sometimes think that the list of PMS effects will never end – all those disturbed sleep, bloating, cramps and interference with the sex life make the existence unbearable. But after symptoms of PMS ease once your period starts, you begin to feel better and ponder if sex during your menstruation is safe. Trust me, it is actually safe, and having it or not is just a question of personal preference, which most likely depends on how heavy your bleeding is.

Menstrual Cycle and Sex Drive

Researches can show me and you that our interest in sex, which is most often assessed by our willingness to initiate the action, tends to peak before and after the ovulation. This process occurs about two weeks after the first day of the last period. It means that by the beginning of PMS symptoms (usually from week to a couple of days before the next period starts), we are not thinking about sex as much as we were a week before.

I remember the saying of Jennie Campbell Leslie, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist, that it’s natural and aimed at the persistence of the species, that our sex drive is strongest during our fertile period or ovulation. After this libido lowers and reaches its lower limit during menstruation. However, he pointed out (and we have to agree with him) that there’re like a hundred of other things affecting our libido – from stress and sleep to our feelings about the partner.

Sex and PMS

Of course, we can imagine a lot of reasons for not being interested in sex during PMS. Its symptoms like breast tenderness, headaches, cramping and bloating can’t make the idea physically appealing. Considering also the emotional symptoms like depression, stress and irritability, the prospect of sex also becomes unattractive. But I came to a conclusion that sex can really be a good way for us to relieve some PMS symptoms, for example, tension and anxiety, because our body’s response to stress usually decreases when we are aroused.

The benefit of having sex is that being sexually active relaxes you and makes you feel comfortable. However, I’d like to warn you: if you have cramps, you will probably find that orgasm temporarily make them worse, because during orgasm the chemicals are released which stimulate the uterine contractions.

Playing It Safe

Having or not having sex during our period becomes an inevitable question for us and our partners after some time of living together. I have solved this question for myself: period sex is as safe as at any other time. The decision you take will be completely personal and based on the comfort level of you and your partner.

So, if I was able to convince you to try, please also keep in mind some important things:

1. Do not forget about sexually transmitted diseases. This does not mean that you are at a greater risk during period, but still you are at risk as at any other time. You still need to use latex condoms for protection. And I would also suggest women having HIV to refrain from period sex as even with a condom some amount of blood will make transmission more likely.

2. Do not forget about pregnancy. Although it is vary rare, women still can conceive during menstruation. If you are not planning a child, make sure you practice birth control during period too.

That’s about it! I know, you still might not feel to be at your sexiest during premenstrual syndrome and period, but trust me – you can have sex and it even may improve your mood!

In some cases women mix up and got the wrong point of view of pms symptoms. As the pms symptoms are quite similar to pregnancy symptoms.

Perhapes, the woman can feel depressed with several symptoms similar to pms symptoms. One of the most well-known fact is that during pregnancy there is so-called pregnancy depression, firstly, it’s connected with the hormonal changes. One should remember that pms depression is connected with the menstrual cycle changes as pregnancy depression is connected with hormonal changes in the body.

One should also remember that pms depression can last for 2 weeks maximum only (as the level of serotonin at this very period lowers).

Other symptoms like headaches, pains in back, breasts pains and so on are also can be taken for pms symptoms. In this case, they are quite alike. But to identify depression symptoms among which are delay of menstruation (but it’s the only symptom to be identified among 45% of pregnant women only). Usually pms symptoms start at the same period each month ( 2 weeks to 2 days before menses) as pregnancy symptoms start usually at the period of expected menses. In case of menses (if there is no suppression of menstruation) pregnancy symptoms can be easily mixed up with pms symptoms and to define them a woman should consult a doctor.

One more factor to identify pregnancy as the doctors recommend in case of sex with no contraception is pregnancy test. It’s recommended to use monthly before expected menses to identify pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are not of high accuracy at the starting point of pregnancy as they are highly recommended to use at the periods of suppression of menstruation.

At first sight pms symptoms can be easily mixed up and the only way is to consult a doctor and to make haemanalysis to define pregnancy.

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.

When the women is in the period of pms there could be many symptoms for her to feel misbalanced. Surely, pms symptoms are individual. One body is easier to solve this problem, another feels depressed. Actually, women can easily identify these symptoms, because in many cases they are quite similar. As the pms period is connected with the women’s period. By the way, premenstrual syndrome symptoms is a good indicator for women to identify the course of the period.

So, the most well-known symptom to be mentioned is … irritability comparing with the mood swings. A Woman become more irritable. She can easily shout with no reason for that. The mood can change several times a day unexpectedly. The irritable condition can be aroused with some daily routine problems or with business activity. Even well- balanced person can easily become short-tempered. As the result of the rise of sensitiveness the women becomes more tearful. So, the most positive person can be upset with some miserable mess. The smile switches to the tears. Women cry because of some TV news about homeless animals, broken nails, dirty auto … Whatever can cause the tears and mood can be spoiled for the whole day.

What is more, a woman can spoil not only her mood, but the mood of the loved one, because of angry outbursts. Growing angry easily influences daily activity. In many cases it’ connected with the pms depression.

There are also some physical changes in the body. In many cases it’s breast swelling and pain. It’s caused by hormonal changes in the body. What is more, these changes can cause insomnia, weight gain, weight gain and headaches. Insomnia causes terrible headaches, headaches causes bad body conditions and insomnia. Actually it’s a vicious cycle. One symptom causes another one.
In some cases women suffer from chronic diseases as this period worsens chronic conditions. Like ulcers for example. Surely, it’s unpleasant. The worst thing is that these diseases exacerbation happen monthly.

During pms period women can suffer from nausea and problems with coordination. But these cases are not as frequent as for example bad mood or brest swelling and pain. A Woman shouldn’t concentrate on her bad condition and try do sport and lead normal way of life.
Some symptoms should be carried of as it can influence body activity. Among them heart pounding (palpitation), terrible insomnia, edema, asthma. They should be treated according to the symptoms, but one should understand that these problems were caused because of pms period. These symptoms are likely to be individual and not typical for all women. Surely, they should be treated individually and in consultation with the doctor.

Other symptoms like weight gain, mood swings, fuzzy thinking, breast swelling and pain, nausea tearfulness are absolutely normal symptoms. They are more typical for all women and actually they don’t require special treatment.

One should remember that each woman has her own ‘pms symptoms’ . To find out these symptoms she should observe pms condition for several months to point them out. If there are too many pms symptoms which really involve daily life, the woman should consult the doctor for further possible treatment to ease the pain and so on. By the way, one should remember that there is no universal panacea for every woman to escape from pms symptoms.