Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of symptoms that many women get about a week or two before their period. PMS is a common disorder affecting women of reproductive age group producing physical and mental symptoms especially during the last 14 days of the menstrual cycle till her menstruation. Its typically absent during the early part of the menstrual cycle. Diagnosis of PMS requires a thorough medical and psychiatric history. Disorders like depression, anxiety, hypothyroid ism, and diabetics should be excluded before Treating PMS. It’s mainly related to the hormonal changes during period, though the exact cause is not known.
Epidemiological studies have revealed that about 80% to 90% of women manifest at least one of the PMS signs. In about 2.5% to 3% of women, the syndrome is severe enough to affect their activities and social communications. This disorder is known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
The most common symptoms of PMS include:
mood swings
feeling upset, anxious or irritable
tiredness or trouble sleeping
bloating or tummy pain
breast tenderness
headaches
spotty skin
greasy hair
changes in appetite and sex drive
Cause
As mentioned earlier, exact cause of premenstrual syndrome is uncertain. Since PMS symptoms occur simultaneously with the hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle, hormonal
disproportion like estrogen surplus and progesterone deficiency have been proposed as the cause. Symptoms are also associated with serotonin to link as a key etiological factor.
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