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Blame Brain Function on the Severity of your PMS

Some PMS symptoms have recently been classified as real psychiatric conditions due to the mood swings, irritability, paranoia, anxiety and other depressive symptoms that may occur. Did you know though that how your brain functions may also play a part in your PMS as much as your hormones?

There have been a few studies which compared brain function and brain waves between women with no PMS symptoms versus those women who do experience them. These studies showed that the women without symptoms use their brains differently than others. These women often have steady moods and dispositions and there is a portion of the brain that control emotions. This part of the brain shows higher level of activity than women with PMS. This increase in brain activity in the emotions center of the brain protects these women, making them less predisposed to PMS and its hormonally charged emotions during the menstrual cycle.

The Brain's Role

When women without PMS symptoms were tested via brain scans before and after their periods, there were some interesting findings. These scans were taken about two to five days before the period started as well as seven to ten days afterwards. The women were tested with a variety of concepts - negative, positive and neutral. During these tests, medial areas of the orbital front cortex of the brain showed heightened activity before the period as well as after the period, only in the lateral area of this part of the brain. This frontal cortex of the brain is the primary area for emotions as well as decision making and impulsiveness.

This area of the brain in women affected by PMS did not show the activity and because of this, their hormones played a larger part in the manifestation of PMS symptoms. For some reason, the increase in activity in the frontal cortex of the brain prevented the hormones from completely taking over and causing mood swings and other emotionally charged PMS factors.

Some researchers do feel that how the brain uses certain nutrients could play a part as well. Calcium deficiencies can contribute to PMS as well as excess estrogen, lower progesterone levels, and low serotonin and vitamin B6 deficiencies as well. All of these are major players in the PMS symptom game. This motley crew of issues may have the ability to alter certain neurotransmitters responsible for sending signals to that orbital front cortex of the brain.

Doctors suggest that women who do display symptoms of PMS go over their diet aggressively and find ways to boost calcium and vitamin D and B in all its forms. Food and drink is best for deriving these essential building blocks but supplements can fill in the rest. Studies have shown that women with PMS who have boosted their intake of calcium and vitamins B and D experienced fewer symptoms. Brain scans did show increased activity in those significant areas of the brain as well, although not as much as the women who never got PMS. The bottom line is that you might have to blame it on genetics and body chemistry when it comes to PMS.