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The Right Time to Consult your Doctor about PMS

If you are like a majority of women, you have had premenstrual syndrome (PMS) at least once (but more than likely more) before or even during your menstrual cycle. Sometimes, the symptoms may be severe enough that you wonder if you should go to the doctor for them. However, some women will not go because they figure that all women have PMS and the symptoms are just something they have to suffer through. The fact is you do not have to suffer needlessly. You should contact a medical professional during these circumstances:

* When you feel your emotions are out of control such as having irrational thoughts, depression, panic attacks, anxiety and more.

* When those emotional problems linger into your menstrual bleeding period.

* When your efforts at home treatment such over the counter medications, heating pads and relaxation methods do not work well.

* When your life is disrupted due to PMS symptoms enough so that you miss work and social engagements.

If you are most women, you probably have varying degrees of PMS symptoms. One month may be aggravating, yet manageable, and the next you may not have any symptoms. Sometimes, your symptoms may be consistent for months. When PMS symptoms occur consistently, but are tolerable, over an extended period of time, home treatment options such as over the counter pain relievers, exercise and diet changes may be enough. A large percentage of women discover that the smallest changes in their lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc.) can make a huge impact on decreasing the severity of symptoms.

However, if you are one of the unlucky and your symptoms do not improve with self-treatment and your life is impacted, make an appointment with your personal physician. Try to make it at least three months out as they will want you to keep a diary of your menstrual cycle outlining symptoms and more. This diary will help them treat you and even diagnose PMDD which is a more severe form of PMS.

If you are just concerned about your PMS and menstrual cycle, keeping a diary is smart. This will give you a written visual of your symptoms and experiences and help you evaluate yourself as well. Here are some things you should keep track of in the diary:

* Log the dates of when the symptoms start and finish.

* List the symptoms, pain level or severity and the date in which they occur.

* Jot down the first day of your menstrual bleeding as well as the last.

* Write down the day that you believe you have ovulated (some well can tell when the mature egg is released because they experience a centralized pain right where the ovary is)

For many women, their primary doctor is their gynecologist. However, if you are seeing a family or general practitioner, most are versed enough in PMS to get you started with a treatment. However, if you have the more serious form of PMS called PMDD, they will likely refer you to a specialist like a gynecologist. When emotional or psychological symptoms occur with PMS, a dual visit with a psychiatrist or psychologist can help. When hormones run wild causing PMS or PMDD, it is not your fault.