According to The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, pre-menstrual syndrome is “the cyclic occurrence of symptoms that are sufficiently severe to interfere with some aspects of life, and that appear with a consistent and predictable relationship to the menses [menstrual period].” While up to 85% of women encounter some symptoms prior to menstruating, only 2-10% experience severe, debilitating symptoms. In the past, this condition was viewed as a mental condition, but today doctors consider the symptoms of PMS to be a medical problem.
There are more than 200 symptoms related to PMS, which range in severity from person to person and from month to month. Physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are commonly associated with the very act of menstruating. For instance, most women report that they feel “bloated,” have tender breasts and suffer from frequent headaches.
In addition, some women report having an upset stomach, cramping, diarrhea or constipation. Fatigue and muscle pain usually appear in the ten days before menstruation and it’s not uncommon for women to crave carbs, chocolate and sweets, or gain a little weight. Acne and disrupted sleep are other complaints reported. Many women wonder if they’re experiencing the usual symptoms of “that time of the month” or if they might have a condition that warrants additional treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health says that menstrual symptoms must increase at least 30% during the six days before menstruation to qualify as symptoms of PMS. Also, these patterns must be present for at least two consecutive months. Similarly, researchers at the University of California at San Diego agree that there must be emotional symptoms, in addition to physical symptoms five days before menstruation in at least three months. They look for symptoms like depression, irritability, anxiety, confusion, social withdrawal and angry outbursts. Most patients with serious emotional symptoms also had headaches, abdominal bloating and breast tenderness.
Before diagnosing the symptoms of PMS, doctors usually look to rule out other possible culprits for the mood fluctuations. Anemia, eating disorders, diabetes, alcohol abuse, hypothyroidism, oral contraceptive side effects, perimenopause, dysmenorrhea (severe uterine pain during menstruation), chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, autoimmune disorders and breast swelling are some of the other conditions that exhibit many of the same symptoms. There aren’t any 100% “telling tests” for P.M.S., but doctors may request a thyroid blood test to rule out thyroid disease or hypothyroidism. They usually ask patients to fill out a brief questionnaire and keep a diary of symptoms for a few months.
Kim has written extensively on health and beauty issues of interest to women. If you enjoyed this article, you might be interested in her recent posts on surgery for stretch marks and cosmetic surgery for stretch marks.