Often called PMS, premenstrual syndrome is a group of physical and emotional symptoms that happen about a week before menstruation starts. To be more specific, the signs of premenstrual syndrome occur roughly after ovulation.
Medically reviewed by Mary Rani Cadiz, MD · Obstetrics and Gynecology
Often called PMS, premenstrual syndrome is a group of physical and emotional symptoms that happen about a week before menstruation starts. To be more specific, the signs of premenstrual syndrome occur roughly after ovulation.
There’s still no exact cause as to why PMS happens. According to researchers, this may be because of the low levels of hormones, like estrogen and progesterone.
The signs of PMS will resolve on their own once the menstrual period starts. This could be attributed to the normalization of the hormonal levels.
It’s very important to understand that experiencing PMS is not the same for all women. Some women experience mild symptoms, while others have severe signs.
The truth is, some women need to skip work or school because their symptoms are so severe they couldn’t get out of bed. On the other hand, some ladies report that PMS has little to no effect in their life.
Additionally, two ladies who report mild premenstrual syndrome can experience different symptoms. For instance, one may have bloating and fatigue, while the other experience crying spells and acne breakouts.
The signs of premenstrual syndrome also vary depending on the woman’s situation. For example, after giving birth, PMS symptoms may come back, but they will be different from before.
The bottom line is, the signs of premenstrual syndrome differ from woman to woman. This is also the reason why we sometimes attach the word “potential” to the signs of premenstrual syndrome.
As of now, you may already have an idea about how diverse the potential signs of PMS are. Here are the most common symptoms of PMS:
Please remember that you won’t necessarily experience all these potential signs of premenstrual syndrome.
Unlike other health conditions, PMS does not require laboratory tests for a positive diagnosis. The doctor will interview you about the symptoms you experience and how often you experience them. They will also ask about how these symptoms are affecting your life.
You probably have PMS if:
Because of this, it’s a good practice to keep a record of all the symptoms you experience for at least three menstrual cycles. This is so you can report it back to your doctor during a consultation.
Fortunately, there are a lot of home remedies to manage the signs of premenstrual syndrome. In general, the management involves soothing the symptoms. Some of the home remedies are:
How to Manage Severe Menstrual Pain and Heavy Bleeding
Since there are a lot of signs of premenstrual syndrome, how will you know when you already need to consult a doctor?
As a general rule, go to your physician when none of the home remedies are helping you. Do the same thing if the signs of PMS negatively affect your daily living and your health.
Additionally, there is a severe form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD. You can say that PMDD is the debilitating version of PMS, as the symptoms often render the woman unable to function. The severe symptoms include:
Some of the physical symptoms of PMS are still experienced in PMDD. Because PMDD is debilitating, it’s important to go to your doctor to seek help. In this event, the doctor may prescribe not just pain killers, but also antidepressants.
While the exact cause of PMS is still unknown, it can be affected by several factors. Some of those factors are:
The signs of premenstrual syndrome vary from woman to woman. PMS is defined by both emotional and physical symptoms. Home remedies are often effective in managing most of the signs of PMS. However, if the symptoms are severe to the point that they negatively affect your activities of daily living and health, you must consult your doctor.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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