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Are You Curious About PMS?

What questions do you have about PMS? If you are a women of childbearing age you probably are more than just a little bit curious about premenstrual syndrome (PMS) you may have experienced it first hand. It is always a good thing to find out all you can about a topic that may have a big impact on your life such as being uncomfortable for one to two weeks out of every month for twenty to thirty years! PMS can not only cause suffering in the woman who has it but those who live with her can also suffer from her mood swings, or her crying spells and extreme irritability or bouts of anxiety. Given how many people PMS can affect is it any wonder that many people is curious to find out more about PMS?

The first question most people ask is, "What is PMS?"

PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome. PMS is a collection of more than 150 symptoms that occur between the times that a woman releases an ova (egg) until she has her period. The symptoms can be physical, emotional, or psychological.

What are the most common symptoms of PMS that women experience?

The symptoms that are more commonly experienced by women going through PMS are fatigue, mood swings, bloating from fluid retention, backache, headache, irritability, loss of libido, sore or tender breasts, weight gain and sometimes depression. Symptoms may be more severe if the woman experiences a cycle in which her body does not release an ova (egg). These cycles where no egg is release are said to be anovulatory cycles. Because there is no progesterone to oppose the estrogen build up the PMS symptoms are usually more severe.

What can make the symptoms of PMS worse? (so I can avoid doing these things)

Symptoms of PMS can be made worse by poor diet, by childbirth, by extreme levels of stress, by switching birth control pills, by not getting enough exercise, and by having vitamin or mineral deficiencies and also by having low progesterone or by having a anovulatory cycle (no egg is released).

How long does PMS last?

PMS symptoms can kick in after the egg is released and stay until the blood flow for her next period. This is anywhere from one to two weeks. Women who exhibit PMS like symptoms all month-long are not likely to have PMS. They should see a doctor to receive a diagnosis as there are a few diseases and conditions that do have similar symptoms.

What can I do at home to reduce or eliminate PMS symptoms?

Relaxation techniques work, so does avoiding salt, caffeine, chocolate, and refined sugar. Use a heating pad carefully, drink chamomile tea and take over-the-counter pain relievers.