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PMS(PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME)
WHAT IS PMS? PMS is also known as premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual tension (PMT). A severe form of PMS is known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
PMS is exceedingly common, occurring in 75% of women of reproductive age during their lifetime. PMDD occurs in about 5% of women.
Uzzi Reiss, M.D./O.B. GYN. in his book Natural Hormone Balance for Women, describes PMS as an array of physical and emotional symptoms that develop after ovulation and before the onset of the period.
Symptoms vary from woman to woman. Sometimes they start a day or two before the period. Sometimes two weeks before. Sometimes the intensity is mild. At other times, it is significant enough to be debilitating.
PMS usually intensifies gradually as you get closer to your period.
CAUSES OF PMS
Research has linked the stressful physiological and psychological symptoms to a decline in circulating progesterone.
In recent years, scientific investigators have found mounting evidence of a strong relationship between progesterone and GABA, a major neurotransmitter that produces a calming effect throughout the nervous system. Progesterone enhances GABA.
When progesterone is deficient, anxiety and PMS symptoms can result.
The causes of PMS are many but ultimately it is an imbalance of oestrogen and progesterone hormones in the second part of the menstrual cycle.
Symptoms are variable in intensity and often impact adversely on work capability and interpersonal relationships. Some of these causes may be nutritional, stress related, genetic, psychological or environmental.
To treat PMS all these factors need to be addressed with diet, life style changes and hormonal balancing.
DIAGNOSIS OF PMS
Diagnosis of PMS requires a persistence of symptoms for several menstrual cycles, and differentiation from major depression and anxiety disorders. PMS should not be treated with anti-depressants or with oral contraceptive pills. The treatment of choice for PMS is progesterone cream. For further information, go to...
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