Sufferings before menstruation: what to do?
Dr Md Abedur Rahman
Mood swings, tender breasts, a swollen abdomen, food cravings, fatigue, irritability anddepression. If you experience some or all of these problems in the days before your monthly period, you may have premenstrual syndrome (PMS).An estimated three of every four menstruating women experience some form of premenstrualsyndrome. These problems are more likely to trouble women between their late 20s and early40s, and they tend to recur in a predictable pattern. The symptoms may vanish after themenstrual flow starts, but may continue even after the flow has begun. About 14 percent of women between the ages of 20 to 35 become so affected that they stay home from school or work.Still, you don't have to let these problems control your life. In recent years, much has beenlearned about premenstrual syndrome. Treatments and lifestyle adjustments can help you reduceor manage the signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
What are some of the actual symptoms of PMS?
PMS looks more at physical symptoms such as bloating, weight gain, breast tenderness, swellingof hands and feet, aches and pains, poor concentration, sleep disturbance, appetite change, and psychologic discomfort. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder has as part of its definition, symptomssuch as depressed mood or dysphoria, anxiety or tension, emotional lability, irritability,decreased interest in usual activities, concentration difficulties, marked lack of energy, markedchange in appetite, overeating or food cravings, sleepiness or insomnia, and feelingoverwhelmed.
What can I do to see if I have PMS?
You need to see your doctor to make sure none of the other problems are confusing thesymptoms. The doctor will probably check your thyroid studies (TSH), blood sugar for diabetes, blood count for anemia and evaluate your history and physical findings to rule out automimmunedisease, vascular disease, seizures and endometriosis among others. The doctor may want you totake some psychometric written tests to see if depression, anxiety or even panic disorder are playing a role in your symptoms.The hallmark of PMS diagnosis is prospective symptom charting. Without it, the diagnosis of PMS cannot be accurately made. The reason for this is that retrospective recall has almost always been found to be markedly different from prospective charting. While you may think there is aone-to-one variation of symptoms with your menstrual cycle, prospective charting often showsthat symptoms are present all of the time and represent basically a mood disorder more than justPMS. That mood disorder is where treatment needs to be directed. The doctor will give you achart to track the severity of some of your symptoms over one or two months. There needs to be
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