It is said that 20-40% of women suffer from PMS symptoms . There are individual differences in the symptoms and peaks of PMS, and some people may have suddenly experienced worsening PMS symptoms.
This time, for women who are worried that PMS has suddenly gotten worse, I will explain the causes of sudden worsening of PMS and the pattern of symptoms. Also, I will explain the possibility of diseases other than PMS, so please refer to it.
Find out in this article
- What makes PMS symptoms worse
- Patterns of PMS symptoms
- Possible diseases other than PMS
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Factors that make PMS symptoms worse
PMS symptoms typically peak in your 30s, but there are a number of factors that can exacerbate PMS symptoms. In order to improve the symptoms of PMS, it is very important to know what the cause is. If you feel that PMS has gotten worse, check if there is a cause that applies to you.
stress
PMS symptoms can be exacerbated by stress. Before menstruation, the brain hormone called serotonin decreases, and mental symptoms such as emotional instability and irritability are likely to occur . When you have mental symptoms, adding stress can spur symptoms and make them worse.
Not only the stress in everyday life, but also the stress you feel when you put up with your symptoms can cause PMS to worsen, so if your symptoms are severe, it is recommended that you do not put up with it and consult a doctor.
caffeine
Caffeine can also exacerbate PMS symptoms. Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the nerves and may exacerbate mental symptoms such as irritability and emotional instability.
The main foods and drinks that contain a lot of caffeine are tea, coffee and chocolate. In fact, there is data that women who drink two cups of coffee a day have worse PMS symptoms, so avoid foods and drinks containing a lot of caffeine, especially before menstruation1).
tobacco
Smoking has also been found to be associated with exacerbation of PMS symptoms2). Cigarettes are said to worsen the symptoms of PMS because they have a function to worsen the blood flow and cause coldness and the balance of the autonomic nerves to collapse.
Not only smoking cigarettes, but also passive smoking can make PMS worse, so be careful .
alcohol
Female hormones (progesterone and estrogen) slow the metabolism of alcohol in the liver. Therefore, drinking alcohol before menstruation can make you more prone to hangovers and hangovers, which can make your PMS symptoms worse.
Not only does alcohol itself aggravate PMS symptoms, but if the amount of alcohol increases, PMS symptoms worsen, so it is recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol before menstruation or reduce the amount3).
Why do PMS symptoms vary from person to person?
The symptoms of PMS vary from person to person, not only due to the effects of female hormones, but also depending on the person's personality and living environment. As a result, some women have no PMS symptoms at all, while others have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives. In addition, there are many cases in which PMS symptoms suddenly worsen even though there were no PMS symptoms before.
The exact cause of PMS is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by fluctuations in female hormones. In addition, it is said that people with serious personalities are more likely to have severe PMS symptoms, so caution is required for those who fall under this category.
To alleviate PMS, lifestyle changes, low-dose pills, and herbal medicines are used. Herbal remedies that are effective for PMS symptoms include:
- Kamishoyosan: Dizziness, headache, anxiety, irritability, sweating, etc. caused by stress
- Toki Shakuyakusan: Dizziness, stiff shoulders, lower back pain, cold legs, heavy head, etc.
It is important to choose the method that suits each symptom, so if you are suffering from PMS, please consult your doctor.
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Also read the following articles
Read commentary on PMS and herbal medicines
Know the appearance pattern of PMS symptoms
Generally, PMS symptoms disappear naturally when menstruation begins, but the appearance pattern of PMS symptoms can be divided into four main types.
- Symptoms begin about 7 days before menstruation and disappear when menstruation begins
- Occurs from ovulation to the onset of menstruation
- Occurs before or after ovulation, then reappears after symptoms subside
- Occurs from ovulation until the end of menstruation
PMS symptoms vary from person to person, and the timing at which PMS suddenly worsens varies from person to person. However , if symptoms appear between the end of menstruation and ovulation, other illnesses may be involved.
Could it be PMS?
Here are some diseases that are often mistaken for PMS.
- dysmenorrhea
- Menopause
- depression
- pregnancy
If your symptoms get worse during menstruation, you may have dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea may hide other diseases such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids, so be careful.
Women in their 40s and 50s who are perimenopausal may be at risk of menopause. In addition, if psychotic symptoms are strong even in PMS, the possibility of PMDD may be considered.
Although it may seem unrelated, depression is also affected by the menstrual cycle and can be mistaken for PMS. In early pregnancy, symptoms similar to PMS may occur.
If your PMS suddenly gets worse or you think you have another disease, see a gynecologist as soon as possible.
summary
Many women suffer from PMS, and symptoms and peaks vary from person to person. Many women's PMS symptoms suddenly worsen due to stress, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, so it is important to understand the cause in order to improve PMS.
Depending on the symptoms, there is a possibility of diseases other than PMS such as dysmenorrhea, menopause, and depression. If the symptoms are severe or suddenly worsen, it is recommended that you see a gynecologist as soon as possible and receive a diagnosis.
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Click here for a free medical interview supervised by a doctor that can be done on LINE
References
1) Gul Pinar et al. Premenstrual Syndrome in Turkish college students and its effects on life quality. 2011 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21147455/
2) So Hee Choi et al. Association Between Smoking and Premenstrual Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33324253/
3) María del Mar Fernández et al. Premenstrual syndrome and alcohol consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2018 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/29661913
