PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome is also referred as PMS. It is a medical condition that has symptoms that affect many women of childbearing age.

         The American society of obstetrics and gynaecology defines PMS as “the cyclic occurrence of symptoms that are sufficiently severe to interfere with some aspects of life, and that appear with consistent and predictable relationship to the menses (menstrual period).

CAUSES

        The exact cause is unknown, but it includes oestrogen and progesterone.

SYMPTOMS

• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Weight gain
• Aggression
• Headache
• Backaches
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Fatigue

DIAGNOSIS

   There is no availability of test for PMS. Here some of the strategies are provided to help to diagnose the PMS.

Thyroid test- a test should be done to evaluate the function of your thyroid gland. PMS symptoms cause a thyroid problem.

PMS symptoms diary – you should keep a diary with note of PMS symptoms for 3 consecutive months such as when they occur and how long it last etc. This will helpful in tracking them.

HOME REMEDIES:

To get relief from PMS, you should change little bit of your life style.

•  Maintain a well-balanced diet includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, poultry- which makes you healthier.

• Try to reduce your sugar intakes, not to give up but try eating only small amounts at a time. You have better option with fruits.

• Try to eat small but have a frequent meal.

• It is advised to avoid alcohol because it creates a lot of issues in your body; it disrupts your liver’s activity which can lead you to higher than normal oestrogen levels.

• Cut down to caffeinated beverages, because it intensify anxiety, irritability and mood swings and also increase the breast tenderness. Instead of that you may go with ginger tea. Enough rest and sleep are also much important.

• Increase your carbohydrate snack but smaller meals by consuming popcorn, rice cakes etc.

• It is much better to cut your fat because it can interfere with the liver efficiency.so better option for this is fish or sea food, beans, nuts and lean meat etc.

• Put down your saltshaker because it causes breast tenderness.

• The important thing that should be done is practising of stress management like meditation, exercising or doing anything that helps you to relax.

• Any interruption in your regular sleep can interfere with your regular cycle and cause irritability and fatigue. So never interrupt your regular sleep.