What is PMS in girls: causes, symptoms, treatment
PMS is a cyclical change in a woman's physical and emotional state that occurs a few days before menstruation. Decoding PMS - premenstrual syndrome. PMS disrupts the usual way of life, work capacity. The frequency and duration of PMS increases slightly with age. Up to 80% of women report having some characteristic symptoms before menstruation. In 20–30% of patients, these symptoms are classified as PMS. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a more severe form of PMS with pronounced psychoemotional symptoms. PMDD affects 3–8% of women.
PMS: etiology and pathogenesis
The cause of PMS is unknown. Most researchers adhere to the hypothesis that premenstrual syndrome is a manifestation of an imbalance of sex hormones. Since during menstruation, the content of progesterone and estrogen in the blood decreases, and the biosynthesis of β-endorphins depends on their level, irritability, fluctuations in body temperature, and headaches appear.
Stress and emotional problems do not cause PMS, but can aggravate the condition. Food with an insufficient amount of vitamins and minerals and with a high sodium content, alcohol, caffeine also aggravate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
PMS is more common in women aged 20-40 who have a family history of postpartum depression or mood disorders. How long PMS can last depends on a number of factors. Usually, women experience unpleasant symptoms from two days to two weeks.
PMS risk factors:
- stress;
- obesity;
- heredity;
- psychovegetative disorders;
- viral infections;
- insulin resistance;
- deficiency of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium;
- mistakes in the diet (salty, spicy, fatty food);
- alcohol abuse.
Deciphering PMS - premenstrual syndrome: diagnosis
What is PMS in girls? The diagnosis of "premenstrual syndrome" is made based on the patient's complaints and the presence of one or more psychoemotional symptoms associated with PMS (irritation, mood swings).
How many days before menstruation do PMS symptoms appear? Symptoms appear during the luteal (premenstrual) phase, decrease or disappear shortly before or during menstruation, and are absent during the follicular (preovular) phase. A woman is considered not to have PMS if only physical symptoms such as cramps or flatulence are present.
In studies of the National Institute of Health (USA), the intensity of symptoms is compared from cycle 5-10 to the onset of the next menstrual cycle. To qualify as PMS, the intensity of symptoms during this period must increase by at least 30% during two consecutive cycles.
PMS symptoms in women
There are physical and emotional symptoms of PMS. When diagnosing, a consistent pattern of symptoms that occur after ovulation and before menstruation is studied. This is necessary to determine the severe degree of PMS, which interferes with normal life and requires drug therapy.
Psychological symptoms of PMS in women:
- loss of emotional self-control;
- deterioration of memory;
- anxiety;
- defacement;
- closure;
- decreased concentration of attention;
- depressed mood;
- quick change of mood;
- a dream with horrors;
- irritability.
Scientists from the Gynecology Center (USA) report that 20-40% of women suffer from PMS, for 5-7% of them it disrupts their usual lifestyle.
Physiological symptoms:
- headache;
- pain in joints, back;
- acne, rash;
- allergic reactions;
- sweating, chills;
- swelling of the mammary glands;
- dizziness, fainting;
- during PMS, you want something sweet;
- thirst, insatiable appetite;
- change in sexual temperament;
- increase in body weight;
- flatulence;
- convulsions;
- Difficulty urinating, cystitis;
- constipation/diarrhea.
If your stomach hurts a lot during PMS, you should see a gynecologist and undergo a full examination. Spasms and pains in the abdominal cavity before and during menstruation are a sign of dysmenorrhea. Read more about the diagnosis and treatment of dysmenorrhea on our website https://dobrobut.com.
What to do to treat premenstrual syndrome
Proper nutrition, a calm lifestyle, the absence of stressful situations, and regular physical activity usually help women to smooth out the symptoms of PMS.
Patients should limit:
- consumption of beverages containing caffeine. They contribute to increasing emotional instability, cause insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders;
- salt consumption. It contributes to the formation of edema, increase in body weight;
- sweets, including chocolate. Nutritionists believe that excess sugar combined with caffeine can destroy B vitamins in the body;
- alcohol consumption. Alcoholic drinks increase restlessness, irritability, and cause headaches.
The doctor decides what to do to treat premenstrual syndrome. Drug therapy is prescribed after assessing the presence and intensity of somatic and psychological symptoms and making a diagnosis. Anti-inflammatory drugs will help relieve pain. With severe PMS, the doctor may prescribe contraceptives and/or diuretics.
Related services:
Gynecological Check-up
Colposcopy
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