What Is PMS?
The reproductive years of a woman are the most affected by this condition called Premenstrual Syndrome. Women may often cry, feel angry and depressed, get acne, have tender breasts, feel sleepy, have less energy, and feel heavy or bloated. In the menstrual cycle of 28 days, Ovulation is the period when an egg is released from the ovaries. This occurs on the day of the cycle. The bleeding or, Menstruation, occurs on the 28th day of the period. The symptoms of PMS can begin around the day of ovulation and can stay on up to seven days after the beginning of menstruation. At least one in three women suffer from PMS. PMS is related to a variety of mental and bodily symptoms that occur recently before the menstrual period begins. The signs are related to the fluctuating levels of hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone which are a significant factor of a woman’s menstrual health. Although we know this relationship, experts have still not hit the nail on this condition. There are a lot of reasons as to why one would go through PMS. Usually, it is the history of mental health disorders that run in the family that mostly affects the occurrence of this condition. Even if a family member has mood disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, etc. affects this occurrence. PMS also becomes a possibility when it runs in the family history with other female members. Another underlying reason for PMS is the current circumstances a woman might be going through. It could be domestic violence, physical trauma or emotional trauma. These affect the mental state and when combined with the rush of hormones, makes it more adverse.What Are The Symptoms Of PMS?
The symptoms of PMS are considered mild or moderate. At least 80 percent of women proclaim to be affected by one or more of these signs. They also claim that it does not affect their daily functioning substantially, according to the journal ‘American Family Physician.’ There are various psychological and physical symptoms of PMS. These can occur altogether or few depending on the woman’s medical history. The following are the symptoms of PMS –- Abdominal bloating and pain
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Headache and Fatigue
- Tender breasts
- Acne
- Craving for food, especially sweets
- Irritability and sensitivity to light or sound
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Emotional outbursts and sadness
What Is PMDD?
PMDD short for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a more critical and sometimes a more damaging continuation of the premenstrual syndrome. It might seem like the symptoms are similar for both PMS and PMDD, but PMDD causes extreme mood swings that affect the daily course of work or your relationships with people.What Are The Causes Of PMDD?
The cause of PMS itself is unclear, and so is that of PMDD. Underlying depression and anxiety are the most common symptoms in PMS and PMDD. It is possible that the hormonal fluctuations that trigger the menstrual period worsen these symptoms of mood disorders. Extreme depression, bipolar disorder, and such major mood disorders can worsen during the premenstrual period and therefore might mimic PMDD. A cyclic pattern in the symptoms of mood disorders helps identify PMDD from other mood disorders. PMDD mood symptoms are always only present for a specific period. These symptoms are evident during the luteal phase which is the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle. On the contrary, other mood disorders are constant or variable eventually. Hence, the best way to distinguish PMDD from an underlying mood disorder is only through regular charting of symptoms. Additionally, PMDD mood swings are not exhibited in the absence of a menstrual cycle. This is a crucial point to consider during the diagnosis of PMDD. This explains why the symptoms of PMDD do not occur during pregnancy and after menopause. The other mood disorders typically endure across all reproductive life events.What Are The Symptoms Of PMDD?
The symptoms usually begin seven to 10 days before your period starts, as in the case of PMS, and continues up to the first few days of the period. Both these conditions might cause breast tenderness, fatigue, bloating, and changes in sleep and eating habits. However, in the case of PMDD, at least one of the following emotional and behavioral symptoms stands out:- Anxiety or tension
- Sadness or hopelessness
- Marked irritability or anger
- Extreme moodiness