Changes in moods, outbursts of anger, tearfulness and irritability - the combination of these feelings clearly indicates a premenstrual syndrome. What is it, many representatives of the fair sex know, but they are not able to control their condition. Some girls and women feel noticeably worse, and pain before menstruation is a very real reason to see a doctor.
Complex mechanism
Menstruation in women is directly related to procreation. The first day is considered the beginning of the cycle, and each stage is aimed at preparing for conception.
During the menstrual phase, rejection of the uterine mucosa occurs, which is accompanied by bleeding. The first appearance of menstruation on average occurs at 12-14 years. Over time, the cycle is established, and its duration is from 21 to 35 days.
The absence of menstruation can indicate pregnancy or serious illness. In addition, women's health deserves special attention for various disorders, such as dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) or increased bleeding.
If you add to these problems the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome, then some girls and women are definitely not envious.
Story
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is a complex set of symptoms that occurs in women on average 1-10 days before menstruation. People have been studying this condition since ancient times. In ancient Rome, for example, doctors associated malaise before menstruation with the place of residence and even with the phases of the moon.
According to official data, Russian scientists Dmitry Ott and Alexander Reprev first conducted research on the physiological parameters and the cyclical nature of their oscillations. Then, in 1931, Robert Frank voiced the term āpremenstrual tensionā in his article, and ten years later, psychosexual disorders during PMS were described by Lewis Gray.
Research and scientific evidence have enabled the World Health Organization to include premenstrual syndrome in the classification of diseases. What is it, diagnostic methods, causes of occurrence, recommendations for alleviating the condition - read about all this in our review.
Causes
There is no consensus on the occurrence of PMS today, but experts still managed to formulate a number of reasons:
- hereditary predisposition;
- violation of water-salt metabolism;
- hormonal disruptions;
- thyroid disease;
- lack of vitamins (magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamin B6).
The risk factors for the development of PMS include the presence of depression and stress, living in large cities, late reproductive age, lack of physical activity and nutritional imbalance.
Some studies show that overweight and smoking affect the likelihood of developing premenstrual syndrome.
Symptoms
There are a huge number of jokes and humorous stories about premenstrual syndrome in women. However, an impressive list of symptoms leaves little reason for fun.
Modern medicine distinguishes the following forms of PMS:
- Neuropsychic. Symptoms such as increased noise perception, fatigue, weakness, sleep disturbance, distraction, headaches, difficulty speaking, and even fainting are characteristic of this form. Aggressiveness and irritability often lead to conflicts in the family and at work, as well as to the adoption of rash decisions.
- Edematous. A weight gain of several kilograms does not improve mood at all, swelling of the legs and arms appears. Sometimes girls and women experience joint pain and cramps. Chest before menstruation hurts, the whole body seems to be filled with fluid.
- Cephalgic. Throbbing headaches are observed, which are accompanied by nausea or vomiting. However, blood pressure remains unchanged. In addition, a third of patients develop pain in the heart, numb hands, excessive sweating and depression.
- Crisis . Panic attack, the beginning of which is an increase in blood pressure. Then there is a rapid heartbeat and fear of death. Such attacks are most often disturbed in the evening and at night, and various stresses, fatigue, or infectious diseases exacerbate the situation.
Experts also identify an atypical form of PMS, among the symptoms of which are allergic reactions, skin rashes, pulling pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, nosebleeds, and increased body temperature.
ICP stages
In medicine, there is a separation of PMS in three stages:
- compensated (symptoms disappear with the onset of menstruation, the disease does not develop with age);
- subcompensated (symptoms cease to bother with the end of menstruation, the clinic of premenstrual syndrome worsens over the years);
- decompensated (symptoms appear several days after the end of menstruation).
As you may have noticed, PMS in some cases is not at all like mild ailment. In severe form, this disease can seriously affect working capacity and well-being. Of course, do not panic due to increased fatigue or muscle pain. However, if you find yourself with more than six symptoms, be sure to make an appointment with a doctor who, using research, will be able to diagnose "premenstrual syndrome."
Diagnostics
It is very important to distinguish between real symptoms and inability to control your emotions and manifestations of bad manners or bad character. Premenstrual syndrome is cyclical. In other words, the same symptoms should bother a woman at regular intervals.
Often, premenstrual tension syndrome is confused with other diseases, so consult an expert for an accurate diagnosis. During the diagnosis, a blood test is mandatory (in different phases of the menstrual cycle). The level of hormones (progesterone, estradiol and prolactin) allows us to draw conclusions about the form of PMS.
Depending on the results of the analysis and the patientās complaints, the attending physician may refer her to other specialists (psychiatrist, endocrinologist, therapist and neuropathologist) or prescribe additional studies (MRI, mammography, EEG, blood pressure control, and others).
In addition, it is recommended that all patients with PMS describe their condition in detail and keep a ācomplaints diary,ā which will also help with diagnosis.
How to relieve premenstrual syndrome?
Millions of women are asking this question, fully aware that living in a poor state of health and mood even for a week is simply unbearable. The most affordable measure is a dietary review.
It is believed that the use of complex carbohydrates (cereals and vegetables) makes it easier to survive the condition before menstruation. Some experts also talk about limiting the consumption of sweets and sugar, but from the point of view of alleviating the symptoms of PMS, this measure has not been fully studied.
It is advisable to control the intake of salt, because the body already has a tendency to edema associated with fluid retention. Salty foods only make things worse.
And finally, coffee. Studies have shown that women with severe PMS use much more coffee. Today there is no unequivocal opinion on whether an invigorating drink and premenstrual syndrome are related. What is it and the reasons for the occurrence of the latter are already known to us, but coffee helps or worsens the situation, probably it should be decided individually.
Lifestyle
Pain before menstruation can make serious adjustments to your plans. However, experts advise not to give up light physical exertion. Swimming, walking, yoga or dancing help to reduce symptoms and definitely improve your mood.
If your chest hurts before your period, then supporting underwear will help to cope with discomfort and increased sensitivity.
Of course, you should not expect an instant disappearance of PMS symptoms, but you can draw the first conclusions after 3-4 months. In most cases, these recommendations eliminate the need for drug treatment.
As alternative methods of combating premenstrual syndrome, various types of massage, physiotherapy, reflexology and balneotherapy can be recommended.
Many specialists who study women's health consider acupressure the most effective. Stimulation of biologically active points increases vitality and enhances the body's ability to self-regulate.
Drug treatment
Pharmacotherapy is the main method, however , pills will definitely not help to completely cure premenstrual syndrome . PMS is believed to be a chronic disease, and some drugs only improve the quality of life by relieving symptoms.
Please note that all medicines are prescribed by a doctor, and no life stories or advice from āunfortunate friendsā can replace a specialistās consultation. Our review is for guidance only, and if you think that one of the drugs could help you, be sure to discuss this point with your doctor.
Depending on the form of PMS, the following groups are distinguished:
- Combined oral contraceptives.
- Medications for treating symptoms.
- Hormonal drugs.
- Diuretics.
- Antidepressants.
- Antiprostaglandin preparations.
Vitamins and Minerals
Patients with a mild form of premenstrual syndrome are primarily prescribed non-hormonal drugs - homeopathy, vitamins and minerals. Effectiveness and minimal side effects - these are the main advantages of such funds. In addition, non-hormonal drugs are not perceived āas a medicineā.
According to studies, magnesium orotate helps reduce swelling and bloating . Calcium carbonate affects fluid retention and increased appetite, and vitamins of group B can cope with the psychoemotional manifestations of the disease.
Diuretics
These are diuretics, the purpose of which is justified in the edematous form of PMS. One of the most effective and safe is "Spironolactone" (analogue - "Veroshpiron"). The drug increases the excretion of sodium and chlorine ions, water, reduces titratable acidity of urine. It has a hypotensive effect.
As an initial daily dose, 25 mg (maximum 100 mg) is prescribed. Experts consider it appropriate to take diuretics during the expected fluid retention, that is, from the 16th to the 25th day of the menstrual cycle.
Among the side effects observed: hypotension, drowsiness, decreased libido and menstrual irregularities.
COC
The use of combined oral contraceptives is the most common tactic in the treatment of premenstrual syndromes. Today, attending physicians prefer COCs containing drospirenone. This substance is an analogue of natural progesterone.
The composition of one of the most famous drugs called "Yarina" is a combination of the gestagen drospirenone (3 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (30 Ī¼g). Patients taking this COC showed a slight decrease in body weight and the absence of fluid retention in the body. In addition, drospirenone affects the secretion of the sebaceous glands, which reduces the number of skin rashes before menstruation.
Drospirenone-containing contraceptives have a minimal amount of side effects. However, despite the effectiveness of the drug, the symptoms of PMS (edema, tenderness of the mammary glands, headaches and bloating) may return after a seven-day break. For this reason, it is advisable to introduce an extended regimen of COCs.
Antidepressants
To eliminate psychological symptoms, the attending physician most often prescribes antidepressants (Sertralin, Fluoxetine), the effectiveness of which has been proven by many clinical studies.
In the treatment of premenstrual syndrome, in contrast to the treatment of depression, these drugs are prescribed in shorter courses and in lower doses. There are two treatment regimens:
- taking medication when a symptom occurs;
- taking medication in the second half of the menstrual cycle.
For many women, taking antidepressants is an effective way to eliminate the symptoms almost completely.
However, in some cases, the result achieved is not enough, so the doctor may decide to increase the dose or prescribe another drug.
Taking antidepressants must be accompanied by a diary and detailed notes on well-being. Despite the fact that improvement can occur within two days after the start of the course, a competent specialist will draw conclusions about the effectiveness only after observing 2-4 menstrual cycles.
In rare cases, discontinuation of antidepressants can cause nausea, dizziness, and irritability. Fortunately, these symptoms go away pretty quickly.
ethnoscience
Antidepressants, hormonal drugs and oral contraceptives have many side effects, therefore, the fair sex primarily recalls folk methods.
So, what herbs will help us overcome PMS:
- Melissa Prepare a healing infusion at the rate of 2 tbsp. l dry plants in a glass of boiling water. Such a drink eliminates irritability, soothes and relieves pain. A mixture of lemon balm, chamomile, jasmine, mint and valerian will help improve the result.
- Calendula, plantain leaves, calamus root and arnica flowers. The infusion is moistened with gauze strips, which are applied to the body to reduce swelling.
- Yarrow and jasmine. Against pain in the lower back and stomach, pour boiling water over yarrow (40 g) and jasmine flowers (30 g). On the day you need to drink three cups of infusion.
Myth or reality?
So, we are talking about such an ailment as premenstrual syndrome. What is it, many girls and women are well aware, but only 3-6% of the weaker sex are diagnosed with āpremenstrual dysphoric disorderā (PMDD). This disease leaves a serious imprint, restricts communication with people and social life, and also increases the number of days of disability. In patients with mental illness, their exacerbation is observed.
Interestingly, some scientists generally question the presence of pathologies such as PMDD and premenstrual syndrome. The causes of the latter have not been proven at all, and most studies rely only on reports on well-being. Agree, this point of view has a right to exist. Moreover, Western girls and women often almost consciously expect the appearance of PMS, as if they are programming themselves to feel certain symptoms.