Premenstrual Syndrome - Overview

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of physical and emotional symptoms that occur one or two weeks before a woman's period. Different women experience different symptoms, and they get better once the bleeding begins. The most common symptoms include mood swings, depression, food cravings, tender breasts, bloating, feeling tired, irritability and fatigue. These are normal premenstrual symptoms. But when they disturb a woman’s daily life, they are called PMS. PMS can affect a woman’s body, mood and even change her behaviour significantly, a few days before her menstrual period. Some women develop PMS in their teens or 20s, some may get it in their 30s. The symptoms may be worse in the late 30s or 40s, when the woman is nearing menopause.

PMS is due to hormonal changes that take place during the menstrual cycle. The intensity and group of symptoms experienced by women are different from person to person. Sometimes, PMS is observed to be running in families. Deficiency of certain vitamins like vitamin B6, calcium or magnesium in food can increase a woman’s PMS. High stress levels coupled with the lack of physical activity can also increase PMS.

Incidence

·        Out of every four menstruating women, three have experienced PMS.

·        2.6% to 31% menstruating women are found to be suffering from PMS.

·        Approximately 20% women in their reproductive age have moderate to severe PMS.

·        The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 199 million women have PMS.

·        Woman in cities with sedentary lifestyles are more likely to suffer from PMS.

CAUSES:

1. Cyclic changes in hormones.

2. Chemical changes in the brain.

SYMPTOMS:

Different symptoms of PMS are observed in different women, but not all women suffer from all symptoms. In most cases, every woman experiences few of the symptoms mentioned below:

Emotional and behavioural symptoms

·        stress or anxiety

·        sadness or depression

·        weeping

·        mood swings; irritation and anger

·        quarrelsome behaviour

·        change in appetite and craving for certain foods

·        difficulty in falling asleep

·        aversion to socialise

·        difficulty in concentration

·        insomnia or difficulty sleeping

Physical symptoms

·        mood changes and irritability

·        tenderness of breasts

·        acne

·        headache

·        body ache and joint pains

·        tiredness

·        water retention

·        abdominal bloating

·        constipation, diarrhoea or indigestion

Diagnosis:

There is no laboratory test required to diagnose PMS. A proper record history of the symptoms and observation of their recurrence every month before periods as well as the relief after periods are all good indicators of PMS.

Complications

·        PMS, due to a lot of disturbing emotional and behavioural changes, may affect a woman’s relationship with people around her.

·        Women who consume alcohol and smoke may indulge more during PMS. These intoxicants aggravate PMS symptoms and may also increase menstrual pain.

·        If a woman has any other medical conditions, they tend to deteriorate further during PMS:

o   Migraine: more than 50% women report an increase in the intensity and frequency of migraine during PMS, as compared to migraine episodes occurring during any other times of the month. It is experienced either before or at the start of menstrual periods.

o   Asthma: asthma attacks often increase or worsen during PMS.

o   Other disorders: many other chronic conditions, such as epilepsy, may worsen during PMS.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT:

·        In two studies conducted in Israel, 90% women treated with homeopathy over a three-month period experienced an improvement in their PMS symptoms.

·        In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, women suffering from clinically diagnosed PMS and treated with individualised homeopathic treatment showed good relief.

The above studies clearly demonstrate that homeopathy is helpful in treating PMS. Homeopathic medicines are safe and natural. They are selected on the basis of the patient’s nature, temperament, other likes and dislikes. Another very important benefit of homeopathy is to help the woman get relief from other associated complaints, like migraine, asthma or depression (if any), along with PMS. The detailed way in which cases are studied in homeopathy allows doctors to understand the patient’s medical history so that effective counselling and guidance can be given on managing mood swings and making lifestyle changes.