PMS and a Woman’s Body

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is real. It is a physical and emotional disturbance that causes pain, mood swings, and irritability, even depression in women after they ovulate each month. They endure the suffering each and every month, year after year for as long as they are in their reproductive years (usually ages 12 - 50). That is a lot of suffering!

Different women can experience a variety of symptoms and can even experience different symptoms one month to another. The usual range of symptoms are: acne, anger alternating with sadness, appetite changes, bloating, breast tenderness, crying, depression, fatigue, food cravings, irritability, mood swings and being emotionally overly sensitive. The symptoms are a combination of emotional ones and physical ones. They all feel like they are out of control “things” that are happening to the woman.

These symptoms can have an impact on her ability to function if they are at an extreme level. The physical symptoms especially (acne, bloating, breast tenderness and fatigue can make her feel physically ill to the point of not being able to function at work or at home. If these symptoms are to the extreme where the woman is unable to function she may be suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This disorder is also called late luteal phase dysphoric disorder.

Approximately 80% of menstruating women have premenstrual symptoms. Experiencing physical or emotional symptoms does not automatically mean that the woman is suffering from PMS. A doctor diagnoses PMS based on the severity of the symptoms and the inability of the woman to function normally because of them. Approximately 20% to 30% of the 80% of women who have PMS symptoms have moderate to severe intensity of symptoms and 2% to 6% of those women are believed to have the severe variant of PMS known as PMDD.

The disorder was officially recognized by the medical community in 1931 and the term “premenstrual syndrome was coined in 1953.

Despite the fact that the medical community has recognized the plight of these women since 1931, little is known regarding the cause of the disorder. There are several theories but little scientific fact has been gathered to support any of them. The general consensus seems to be that there are alterations between the levels of sex hormones and brain chemicals known as “neurotransmitters that occur during the premenstrual phase of the cycle. There does not seem to be any conclusive evidence that PMS has anything at all to do with a woman’s personality. There have been studies that show that psychological stress is not related to the severity of the PMS symptoms.

Women can do much to help themselves by keeping a menstrual diary of their symptoms. Diary entries that document months of symptoms can be useful in making the diagnosis of PMS. The diary is also a useful tool for the woman as she can gain a better understanding of which symptoms are related to PMS. There is no laboratory test that can determine PMS. The doctor may however use laboratory tests to rule out other conditions so that a diagnosis can be reached.

Some conditions that may have similar symptoms to PMS are the following diagnoses:

* Chronic Fatigue

* Cyclic Water Retention

* Depression

* Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A doctor will rule out these conditions before a diagnosis of PMS can be made.

One of the defining characteristics of PMS from other conditions is that the symptoms of PMS disappear after he menstrual flow begins and during the period of time prior to the next ovulation. When the woman in a diary documents this symptom free period, the doctor can use this information to make the diagnosis of PMS.

Sometimes a doctor will prescribe certain drugs that will suppress ovarian function. If during the suppression period no symptoms are experienced than the diagnosis of PMS can be made.

Although the woman suffers while going through the symptoms, documenting her suffering is sometimes the very thing that can help bring relief. A diagnosis is necessary so that a treatment plan can be devised.

If you would like to find out more about Natural Progesterone and how it may help you Visit Buy Natural Progesterone