Do you feel depressed before menstruation, hate everything, or feel unwell? These upsets may be associated with PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
PMS can have different symptoms depending on the person. In addition to mental disorders, it may also appear as physical disorders such as headaches and breast pain.
In this article, we will introduce one of the symptoms of PMS, depression . I hope that knowing the causes of depression associated with PMS and how to deal with it will make your premenstrual period easier.
Find out in this article
- About PMS and Depression
- How to distinguish from depression caused by something other than PMS
- Coping methods and countermeasures for depression associated with PMS
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About PMS and Depression
First, I will explain the characteristics of depression associated with PMS. It also explains the difference between depression associated with PMS and depression due to non-PMS causes. Try to figure out if the painful depression is a side effect of PMS or something else.
Characteristics and Causes of Depressive Feelings Associated with PMS
A characteristic of the depressed feeling that accompanies PMS is that it is related to the menstrual cycle. Symptoms associated with PMS begin 3 to 10 days before menstruation and subside once menstruation begins.
There are many theories as to what causes the depression that accompanies PMS.
The leading theory is the large change in estrogen and progesterone before menstruation. As a result of hormonal changes, neurotransmitters such as serotonin and γ-aminobutyric acid are affected, and it is believed that mood changes occur.
In addition, there is a theory that the cause is lack of calcium and vitamins, and there is a theory that the blood sugar level fluctuates greatly before menstruation.
Depression not caused by PMS
The difference between PMS-induced depression and non-PMS-induced depression is when symptoms appear.
Depression associated with PMS begins before menstruation and subsides with the onset of menstruation.
On the other hand, non-PMS-related depression has nothing to do with the menstrual cycle. If you feel depressed even before menstruation, or if you feel restless or worse after menstruation begins, there is a high possibility that the cause is something other than PMS.
In addition, depression associated with PMS may coexist with depression due to other causes.
If there is a possibility that depression is caused by something other than PMS, it is recommended that you first visit a medical institution that specializes in depression, such as a psychiatrist or a psychosomatic medicine department, and undergo an examination.
Two ways to deal with the depression associated with PMS
Here are two ways you can help yourself with the depression that accompanies PMS .
The first is that aroma is easy to incorporate into our lives, and its effectiveness has been shown in research papers. The second is an action that you can do immediately in your daily life. Please take it in.
Relax with aroma
It has been published in a paper that aroma is effective for the depressive feeling associated with PMS .
Aromatic oils contain volatile components that have anti-anxiety and sedative properties. Typical ingredients include limonene, gamma terminene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.
The effect of linalool contained in lavender is sedative.
Limonene in citrus scents stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. The scent of yuzu also contains gamma terminene, which releases dopamine and reduces stress1).
For the depressive feeling associated with PMS, we recommend the aroma relaxation method, in which the active ingredients absorbed through the nose calm the mind.
It is also important to consult with others
It is also important to talk to people around you if you are not feeling well before menstruation .
The symptoms and severity of PMS vary from person to person. Therefore, even if you feel terrible symptoms, it may be difficult for those around you to understand. It is also important to consult rather than wait to be noticed.
It can be difficult to speak normally while experiencing PMS symptoms. When your physical condition and feelings are calm other than before menstruation, let's consult in advance with people around you who you can trust.
How to deal with depression associated with PMS
Herbal remedies and low-dose pills may help with the depression associated with PMS .
There are many types of herbal medicines that are effective for PMS. It is important to take Chinese herbal medicines that match the symptoms and constitution, so it is a good idea to consult a specialist.
For Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions, there is also an online service that allows you to receive a doctor-supervised medical interview free of charge on LINE and receive custom-made herbal medicine that suits you. If for some reason you do not have time to go to the hospital and would like to receive Chinese herbal medicine that suits you, consider ordering online.
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Low-dose pills regulate estrogen and progesterone secretion and suppress ovulation. Since the amount of female hormones is kept constant, there are no major fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle, and mood changes are suppressed .
Another option is to visit a specialist medical institution, such as a psychiatrist or psychosomatic medicine specialist. Psychotropic drugs may also help with the depressed feelings associated with PMS. Please consult a specialist doctor.
Also read the following articles
Click here if you want to know the effective herbal medicine for PMS
summary
In this article, we discussed the depression that accompanies PMS. A characteristic of the depressed feeling that accompanies PMS is that it is related to the menstrual cycle. The major cause of the depression associated with PMS is believed to be the major fluctuations in female hormones, but there are still some unknowns.
Depression may be caused by something other than PMS, so it is important to identify it and see a doctor appropriately.
In addition, there are various measures for the depression that accompanies PMS . Take measures that suit you, such as aromatherapy, consultation with people around you, herbal medicine, and low-dose pills.
[I can understand you in just 3 minutes]
Click here for a free medical interview supervised by a doctor that can be done on LINE
References
1) The Effects of Aromatherapy on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials, 2020 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7769645///
