PMS (Premenstrual syndrome)is a condition that as many as 90% of 20-50 year old women experience or suffer from during the premenstrual phase (the two weeks before the start of a period). Premenstrual syndrome is so called because it manifests as a combination of a multitude of premenstrual symptoms. Each woman's premenstrual syndrome is likely to be unique and PMS symptoms can even vary from one cycle to another. The PMS symptom spectrum covers irritability, anger, anxiety, sadness, depression, mood swings, insomnia, anorexia, food cravings, fatigue, lethargy, a change in sex drive, clumsiness, dizziness or vertigo, decreased concentration and indecision, headache, joint pain, breast tenderness, muscle pain, perspiration and sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, fluid retention, weight gain, oily skin and acne and greasy or dry hair. The impact of premenstrual syndrome on the quality of life of those affected can range from being only mild to debilitatingly severe; to the point where a woman can not function normally during the PMS phase. Accordingly, treatment for premenstrual syndrome depends on the severity of the symptoms. This can range from modifying diet and lifestyle, taking vitamin and herbal supplements, through to more aggressive medical intervention through anti-depressants and hormone manipulation.
The cause of premenstrual syndrome remains unknown, but research shows that women who suffer from PMS, particularly severe PMS, have an increased sensitivity to the hormonal changes that occur during the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle, and that many also demonstrate altered hormonal response to pain and stress during this period. No matter how little we understand premenstrual syndrome at present, its imperative to recognize that PMS significantly affects the quality of life of the majority of women on the planet.
