PMS Symptoms

Premenstrual syndrome (or PMS) affects a woman’s mental, emotional, and physical state with regard to the menstrual cycle. Women who suffer with premenstrual syndrome may experience cramps, moodiness, and general unhappiness with life. While the effects may be short-lived, they can be harmful to relationships with friends, co-workers and family. According to Clitoris.com, a woman’s PMS symptoms are far too common to list in a single space. Doctors have reported more than 200 variations.

Obviously, no one subject is the same as another. The female body is diverse, and different elements of premenstrual syndrome will manifest themselves prior to the start of menstruation. The PMS symptoms that one woman deals with will not necessarily be the same as what another experiences. In fact, an individual woman may experience different strains of symptoms with varying degrees of intensity throughout the year. The good news is that PMS symptoms aren’t life-threatening. The bad news is they can heighten the sensations of any of the following and cause women greater distress.

Stress is one area that tends to be ratcheted up a notch when a woman is trying to deal with her PMS symptoms. For centuries, women have borne the brunt of housework and child care, and in the latter part of the 20th Century, they’ve entered the workforce in heavy numbers, without shedding their previous commitments. With the hormonal imbalances that occur during the menstrual cycle, sufferers of PMS may find themselves with the feeling that the world is closing in around them.

Women with PMS may start to become easily agitated with spouses, significant others, or their children, and they may find it more difficult to deal with pressures at work. They may also suffer headaches with increased intensity and changes in their libido that can put unnecessary pressures on their sex life, whether on themselves or their partners.

PMS symptoms can also affect the menstrual cycle itself. When experiencing this condition, a woman may find her flow heavier or lighter and occurring at more irregular periods. In order to combat this phenomenon, doctors recommend examining any changes in diet or exercise. Excessive alcohol abuse and caffeine intake can also heighten the problems a woman with PMS faces. And it’s important to remember that when dealing with different sizes and body types, that what is “excessive” for one may not be for another. It is important to know your body during this time, and to be honest about the expectations that you are placing upon it.

While changing one’s diet and exercise routines may help, others turn to over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol to fight the symptoms, while the more holistic-minded seek the aid of herbs that have been targeted to help reduce symptoms and aid in the onset of ovulation. Some of the most commonly used include chaste tree berry, evening primrose, and natural progesterone.

While some women have reported great improvements in their PMS symptoms, others feel that more traditional tactics work best. It’s important to consult with one’s doctor on the advantages and benefits of each before trying, and to make sure that herbal intake will not interfere with any other medications. By doing the research, experimenting with treatments, and listening to a doctor, PMS symptoms may soon become a thing of the past.