Premenstrual Syndrome - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual syndrome are symptoms experienced by women before entering the monthly period (menstruation).Gsymptomthe in the form of physical changes, behavioral changes, and emotional changes.

Generally, PMS symptoms appear 1-2 weeks before the first day of menstruation each month. The severity of symptoms that appear varies from woman to woman, ranging from mild, such as fatigue, to more severe symptoms, such as depression.

Causes of Premenstrual Syndrome

Reason premenstrual syndrome not known for sure. However, there are several factors that are thought to trigger PMS, namely:

  • Hormonal changes

    The rise and fall of certain hormones in women, namely the hormones estrogen and progesterone, can trigger PMS. This will disappear if the woman is pregnant or has gone through menopause.

  • Chemical changes in the brain

    The ups and downs of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that regulates mood, can also trigger PMS. Lack of serotonin in the brain can cause emotional changes, such as excessive anxiety.

Premenstrual syndrome risk factors

Premenstrual syndrome Basically it can be experienced by every woman, but the following factors can increase a woman's risk of developing PMS:

  • Have a history of depression
  • Have a history premenstrual syndrome in family
  • Experiencing physical or emotional trauma
  • Smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages
  • Eating too many foods that are high in salt or sugar
  • Rarely exercise
  • Lack of rest or sleep

Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome

PMS symptoms experienced by each woman can be different and last for varying periods of time.

The following are some of the symptoms of physical changes:

  • Pain in the breast
  • Weight gain
  • Headache
  • Swelling of the hands or feet
  • Muscle ache
  • stomach cramps
  • Bloated
  • Growing acne

Some of the symptoms of behavior change are:

  • Easy to forget
  • Tired easily
  • Concentration deteriorating
  • Appetite increases

While the emotional changes that can occur during PMS are:

  • Easy to get angry
  • Easy cry
  • Excessive anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Increased sex drive
  • Depression

When to go to the doctor

Generally, symptoms premenstrual syndrome can disappear by itself when you have started to enter the menstrual phase. However, you need to check with a doctor if PMS symptoms are felt to be very annoying or persist and do not get better.

Premenstrual Syndrome Diagnosis

To diagnose premenstrual syndrome, the doctor will ask questions about the complaints experienced by the patient, since when the complaint has been felt, and how the patient's menstrual cycle is. Records of the patient's menstrual cycle are needed for diagnosis premenstrual syndrome.

Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially in the area of ​​the appearance of complaints, such as the breasts and abdomen.

Diagnosis premenstrual syndrome generally do not require any additional examination. However, in certain cases, your doctor may need to carry out additional tests, such as thyroid function tests, to ensure that your symptoms are not caused by another condition.

Premenstrual Syndrome Treatment

Treatment goals premenstrual syndrome is to relieve the complaints experienced. Therefore, the treatment given will be adjusted to the symptoms the patient feels.

One of the treatment methods that can be used to treat PMS include:

  • Drug non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to relieve physical symptoms, such as pain in the stomach, head, or breasts
  • Antidepressant medications, such as fluoxetine or paroxetine, to relieve symptoms of emotions or mood swings
  • Diuretic drugs, such as spironolactone, to relieve symptoms of flatulence
  • Birth control pills, to stop ovulation, so the physical symptoms of PMS subside

In addition to the use of drugs, PMS symptoms can also be relieved by changing a healthier lifestyle, such as:

  • Doing physical activity or exercising regularly
  • Eat nutritious food
  • Get used to sleep 7-9 hours per day
  • Stop smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Relax

Complications of Premenstrual Syndrome

In certain cases, PMS can cause the following complications:

  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is PMS that has more severe symptoms
  • Disruption of daily activities
  • bulimia
  • Hypertension

Prevention of Premenstrual Syndrome

Given the exact cause of PMS is not known, then this condition is difficult to prevent. The best effort that can be done to reduce the risk of PMS is to change a healthier lifestyle.