Dealing With PMS

Virtually all adults know about PMS and most women have a firsthand knowledge of what exactly it is and what a joy it can be in your life (ha!). However, the PMS that most of us refer to is actually just a manifestation of some of the symptoms of clinical PMS.

Premenstrual syndrome, as an actual illness is more than just sometimes getting moody before the onset of menstruation. In order for it to be considered clinical PMS syndrome, as diagnosed by your doctor, you need to keep track of your cycle and how you are feeling both physically and emotionally on certain days. If you experience a number of symptoms regularly during a few consecutive cycles, you may be considered to have PMS.

We all know the symptoms of PMS: Irritability, depression, unhappiness, wanting to be alone. These are the emotional or psychological symptoms, which are often combined with such physical symptoms as cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, headache etc.

Most women with both kinds of symptoms agree that the emotional symptoms can be far more difficult to deal with than the physical symptoms, annoying and uncomfortable as they may be. When the symptoms are strong enough to cause some level of disruption in your everyday life and are consistently experienced in every cycle, you may be diagnosed with PMS.

There are some factors that can increase the intensity of various symptoms of the syndrome, and if you are looking for medical help in dealing with this issue, it is likely that your doctor will ask you about these factors. In some cases simply being aware of these factors and changing some habits can be very helpful in reducing the severity of some symptoms. These factors include:

Diet and eating habits: Taking in high levels of fats, sugars, caffeine or alcohol can contribute to irritability and depression. The more salt you eat, the higher the levels of water you retain which can lead to bloating, a common problem in premenstrual syndrome. It also contributes to the swelling that some women experience in hands and feet.

Exercise: Getting out and moving can really help to diminish some of the problems that PMS brings.

Emotional state: If you are already stressed or suffer from depression, these issues may increase with PMS.

Understanding your own symptoms and working toward simple lifestyle changes, especially at key times of your cycle can help you deal with symptoms of PMS syndrome. Paying a little more attention to diet and exercise can pay off, and of course bring many other health benefits.

There are also medications that are available to help alleviate some of the physical symptoms as well as the emotional implications of PMS. Many of these are available over the counter and should be safe for most women, although consultation with your doctor is recommended, as always. If your symptoms are more severe your doctor can help you find other medications that can be taken continually or at key points in your menstrual cycle.

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