Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, signs (causes, treatment)

The uninitiated confuse PMS with menstruation, writing off any changes in women's mood for the period of monthly bleeding. Others go further, arguing that the concept of "premenstrual syndrome" was invented by women themselves to justify their irritability, tearfulness, bouts of anger, etc. Suppose women are cunning. But how, then, to explain the disorders of the body's functionality that arise in the second phase of the menstrual cycle? Let's try to figure it out in the following material.

What is PMS

Even the aesculapians of antiquity spoke of the "painful condition" of women, preceding menstruation. In about half of the fairer sex, PMS symptoms occur after 30 years, and only 20% at a younger age.

In 1931, the gynecologist R. Frank was the first to associate PMS syndrome with a decrease in progesterone concentration. He noticed that the period preceding menstruation has a greater effect on behavior - women commit rash, stupid acts. It took about 40 years before the British endocrinologist K. Dalton collected the symptoms that accompany PMS. It turned out that the cause of the painful condition lies in the change in the ratio of hormones in the body.

PMS is a symptom complex that occurs in a woman 2-10 days before the onset of menstruation, characterized by a failure of the psycho-emotional state and well-being of the woman.

Menstrual syndrome has over 150 possible symptoms associated not only with the psycho-emotional state. During this period, women change their gastronomic preferences, there are complaints about the following symptoms:

• swelling of the abdominal cavity;
• bloating;
• clumsiness;
• debilitating headaches;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• pain in the region of the heart.

Emotional symptoms come to the fore only because they are visible to others.
Risk factors

It is still unknown why some women suffer from the syndrome, while others do not. Only a few of the factors that contribute to the onset of PMS are known.

Chronic fatigue rightfully takes an honorable first place, because in more than half of the patients, premenstrual ailments begin after the following factors:

• constant lack of sleep (insomnia, sleep disturbance, etc.);
• psycho-emotional stress (being in constant stress, intense mental activity, too busy work schedule, etc.);
• excessive physical exertion (regular strength training, hard physical work, etc.).

And also the following reasons can lead to the development of PMS:

1. Gynecological diseases.
2. Postponed abortions.
3. Vegetovascular dystonia.
4. Chronic pathologies of the endocrine system.
5. Lack of vitamins.
6. Age. Most often, signs of PMS are observed in women after 40 years.

Interesting fact! During numerous studies, it was found that before menstruation one wants not only to cry, but also to make rash purchases.

PMS forms

PMS is a period of stress for the entire body. And the symptoms of PMS that occur in women after 30 years of age depend on the form of the syndrome:

1. The brain form is accompanied by disruptions in the functionality of the nervous system. About a week before menstruation, women complain of tearfulness, nervousness, insomnia, get irritated for any reason and without. With a cerebral form, there is an exacerbation of hearing and smell, fatigue increases. More than half have bloating and constipation. In girls of reproductive age, this form of PMS is manifested by a pronounced depression, depression.
2. In the atypical form, unpredictable symptoms occur. Headache, fever or pressure may rise, etc.
3. The edematous form is a consequence of disorders associated with the functionality of the kidneys. Excess fluid accumulates in the mammary glands, they increase in size and hurt, as in the first months of pregnancy. Some people gain weight, and their face and limbs become swollen.
4. The crisis form includes disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and kidneys. It manifests itself in the form of high blood pressure, pain in the heart, tachycardia. Some people have panic attacks. As a rule, the symptoms of the crisis form of PMS are manifested in women over 40 years old, passing into the pre-menopause stage.
5. Cephalgic occurs as a result of neurological, vascular disorders. The main manifestations: pulsating increasing migraine headache, accompanied by nausea, vomiting. Dizziness may occur.
6. The mixed form manifests itself in symptoms of all varieties. Almost always, there is swelling and irritability before menstruation.

Scientific fact! Residents of megacities and those engaged in mental work are more susceptible to symptoms of the painful syndrome.

Stages of the syndrome

The severity of PMS in women is determined by the frequency, severity, duration and list of symptoms. The mild form is expressed in 2-4 signs, of which only half is clearly expressed and manifests itself 2-8 days before the onset of menstruation.

As a rule, this is swelling of the mammary glands and general fatigue. The severe form of the syndrome manifests itself with all the symptoms, most of which are felt very strongly. Severe PMS can last up to 2 weeks.

Stages:

1. Compensated - the absence of pronounced manifestations of PMS. Mild symptoms disappear with the onset of menstruation.
2. Subcompensated - the syndrome is manifested by pronounced symptoms that affect performance. Without treatment, PMS symptoms will worsen.
3. Decompensated is the most severe stage of the syndrome. Migraine and unstable psychoemotional state with PMS, reduce the quality of life, deprive you of strength. The woman literally lies in a layer and swallows pills by handfuls. This stage can be called postmenstrual, because the symptoms of the syndrome disappear only 3-4 days after the end of menstruation.

Interesting fact! PMS is not just a nervous condition that occurs before your period. According to statistics, most of the atrocities committed by the fair sex happened in the period from 21 to 28 days of the menstrual cycle.

PMS symptoms

In the mild stage of the syndrome, more than 4 symptoms rarely appear. In severe cases, 5 to 12 symptoms may be disturbed at the same time.

Symptoms are due to the form of PMS:

Neuropsychic (cerebral):

• psycho-emotional outbursts (irritability, tearfulness);
• unmotivated aggressiveness, anger;
• apathy, depression;
• headaches and dizziness;
• pain in the mammary glands;
• bloating.

Edematous:

• the face and legs are swollen;
• the mammary glands are rough and sore (painful when touched, from contact with a bra, and even when touched);
• itchy skin;
• sweat glands work in an enhanced mode;
• constantly thirsty;
• body weight is added;
• irritability appears;
• the work of the gastrointestinal tract departments is disrupted;
• headache and joints.

Cephalgic

• migraine headache, accompanied by nausea, sometimes vomiting, diarrhea;
• dizziness;
• sleep disorder, irritability;
• tachycardia;
• exacerbation of smell.

Krizovaya:

• increased blood pressure;
• heart pain, tachycardia;
• unbearable headaches;
• panic attacks;
• profuse, frequent urination.

There are many versions associated with the occurrence of PMS. But the main reasons are still hormonal disorders. Speaking about a change in the psychological state, some experts associate this symptom with fluctuations in the level of the melanostimulant hormone. It is believed that swelling occurs due to the increased production of prolactin.

To treat or not to treat

The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome cannot be ignored. Believe me, it will only get worse. From year to year, headaches, bouts of aggression and other unpleasant manifestations will worsen until PMS goes into a decompensated stage. And this is fraught with severe depression, heart problems, etc.

Moreover, the asymptomatic period between menstruation will shorten and the painful syndrome will begin to appear not a few days before the critical days, but much earlier.

The most unpleasant thing is that with the onset of pre-menopause, the symptoms will reach their peak. And the woman will receive "surprises" in the form of serious health problems.

But all this can be avoided by contacting a gynecologist and stopping the development of the syndrome in a timely manner.

Prevention of the manifestation of the syndrome

The main symptom of the onset of menstruation was and remains the appearance of bloody vaginal discharge. In women with PMS, uterine opening is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Many suffer from unbearable headaches and sudden surges in blood pressure. But this can be avoided by consulting a doctor and following his recommendations in a disciplined manner. In most cases, therapy for the syndrome is as follows:

1. Eat right, focusing on fresh vegetables and fruits (give up fatty, spicy, fried, spicy, smoked foods, legumes, cabbage). Eat at least three times a day (observe the same intervals between meals).
2. Refuse excessive strength loads (it is better to replace strength training with race walking, yoga).
3. Observe the drinking regime (at least 1.5-2 liters per day). Exclude carbonated drinks, coffee.
4. Take vitamin and mineral complexes during the off-season.
5. Provide a calm emotional background in the family (loved ones should treat the "X" days with understanding).
6. Take natural diuretics every day: parsley, watercress.
7. Drink more fermented milk products that help maintain the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract.
8. 10 days before menstruation, switch to a vegetarian menu (on other days, replace animal fats with vegetable fats).
9. To refuse from bad habits.
10. Sleep at least 8 hours a day.

If the above measures do not bring relief, the woman is prescribed special medications to eliminate PMS: Remens, Mastodinon. They are designed to normalize hormonal levels, eliminate characteristic symptoms, and calm the nervous system.

To prevent a psychoemotional surge, 10-14 days before menstruation, you can drink a course of natural sedative drugs: Valerian, Novo-pasit, Sedavit.

Vitamin E (400 mg) normalizes ovarian function. They will cope with pain syndrome: No-shpa, Tempalgin, Solpadein.

User reviews

After the birth of her second child, five years ago, she began to notice regular deterioration in well-being. And everything always took place on the first day of menstruation. It seemed strange to me and I went to the gynecologist. It turned out to be PMS. Now I periodically drink glycine. The unpleasant sensations did not go away at all, but they became weaker. And noticeably.

10 days before menstruation, pressure surges began. And before it suffered from a decrease, but now it has increased to 160. The husband took me to the therapist. After listening to the complaints, the doctor prescribed a cocktail: in equal parts, mix the tincture of valerian, motherwort and hawthorn and put it in the refrigerator. Drink 2 weeks before the start of the critical days. It tastes disgusting, but I have been drinking for a year and as my grandmother whispered.

Complained to my grandmother about drowsiness before menstruation, sleeplessness at night and aggressiveness arising. She brought a bunch of lemon balm from the dacha and began to make tea for me every evening. I can’t say that everything is gone, but I began to sleep more calmly.

It is important to understand that the body of every woman lives according to its own laws. And no two women have exactly the same course of PMS. Therefore, do not self-medicate, armed with the advice of experienced friends and acquaintances. Only a practicing gynecologist can explain why you want to fight and cry at the same time before your period. But first, you have to answer a series of questions and be examined.