You mark your calendar each month and your family and friends take cover. Why do you become so irrational before your period? It’s so embarrassing, yet you can’t control it. Would it help to know that you aren’t alone? Many women suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). We here at Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN want to give you some facts about PMS, PMS symptoms, and the steps you can take to feel better each month.
Things That Cause PMS Symptoms
Menstruation is a cycle of hormonal changes in your body and these hormonal changes can cause PMS. If the hormonal changes are so severe that they disrupt your daily life, you may have what’s called premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD, a more intense form of PMS. If your mother also suffered from PMS before her periods, you are more likely to suffer from the condition yourself.
Do I Have PMS?
The problem with PMS is it produces both mental and physical symptoms. You may suffer more from one set of symptoms than the other, but PMS can affect your emotional and physical states. Emotionally, PMS can make you feel
- Antisocial
- Anxious
- Confused
- Depressed
- Forgetful
- Nervous
- Sad
- Short-tempered
- Unfocused
Another emotional symptom of PMS is severe mood swings between happiness and anger or sadness. Aside from the mental PMS symptoms, you may also feel physical symptoms such as
- Acne
- Back pain
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Constipation
- Cramps
- Exhaustion
- Headaches
- Heaviness or pressure in your lower abdomen
- Insomnia
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Weight gain
These physical symptoms only serve to make the emotional symptoms worse. It’s bad enough you feel anxious and cranky; feeling sick exacerbates your frustration during PMS.
There Is Help
Don’t give up quite yet. We can help you if you suffer from PMS or PMDD. There are things you can do on your own and we can prescribe medication to help if necessary. During the week or two before your monthly cycle, be active, get plenty of sleep, meditate or do relaxation exercises, eat foods rich in calcium and protein, and avoid triggers such as caffeine, salt, and sugar.
If you find that this isn’t doing enough to prevent the severe PMS symptoms, we’ll talk with you about a treatment regimen that might include vitamins, minerals, diuretics, pain medication, and antidepressants if your depression or aggression is severe. We may also recommend birth control pills, as these can help ease the symptoms of PMS or PMDD.
You aren’t alone. Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN in Stockbridge, GA, can help you with your PMS or PMDD. Call us today to set up an appointment. Our number is 770-474-1919.
