What is PMS? Explanation of premenstrual syndrome symptoms and treatment methods

Are you menstruating soon? At that time of year, you get irritable at the slightest things, you get sleepy during the day even though you should be sleeping well at night, and your body feels sluggish... Don't you have those kinds of worries? It could be PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome). Curiously, PMS symptoms tend to subside once menstruation begins. What is PMS? why does it happen I want to manage painful PMS symptoms! I have compiled an article for you.

Find out in this article

• What is PMS
• Causes of PMS
• Main symptoms of PMS
• How to improve PMS

What is PMS

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is the physical and mental discomfort that occurs before menstruation begins. The timing of PMS symptoms varies from person to person, with early people starting to appear 10 days before the start of menstruation, and slow people starting to appear 3 days before. PMS is characterized by symptoms that subside with the onset of menstruation. Then, when the next menstrual period approaches, the same physical and mental disorders will repeat. Even if you feel unwell for some reason, you may think that it is just your imagination, and when you start menstruating, you may be convinced later that "Is that why you are not feeling well?" Diagnosis of PMS is based on physical symptoms such as chest tightness and pain, headaches and swelling, and mental symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, depression and confusion.

• Appeared before menstruation for 3 consecutive months
• Do symptoms subside when menstruation begins?
• Are the symptoms severe enough to interfere with daily life?
• The criteria are whether the symptoms are caused by drugs, alcohol, or other diseases.

Causes of PMS

Possible causes of PMS include female hormone imbalance, autonomic nervous system disturbances, bad lifestyle habits, and the effects of stress. However, it is not limited to only one. One of the female hormones, progesterone, is closely related to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that relieves anxiety and tension. In addition, the tension and relaxation of the mind and body are also controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and under the influence of sleep deprivation and excessive stress, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves are out of balance and cannot function normally. PMS is caused by a combination of factors, such as strong physical symptoms and strong mental symptoms.

Symptoms of PMS

The symptoms of PMS vary from person to person, and the symptoms that appear also change with age. Compared to puberty when menstruation has just started, it seems that the symptoms tend to be more severe with age. Also, the more serious and methodical people are, the more likely they are to get PMS, and there are many cases where they put up with it, saying, "This much is okay." So what are the symptoms of PMS?

physical symptoms

One of the most common physical symptoms is pain. Symptoms include abdominal pain, headache, and lower back pain. Some people may feel tightness in their chest or stomach as pain. Appetite may change. You may lose your appetite, eat too much, or crave sweets. There may be some people who are worried about rough skin or who cannot get rid of swelling.

psychiatric symptoms

Emotional problems are the most common psychiatric symptoms. You may lose control of your emotions, such as getting irritated and crying easily. Some people may feel a change in their sleep. Even though you sleep well at night, you do not feel as though you are getting a good night's sleep, or you feel sleepy during the day. You may find yourself in a daze, having difficulty concentrating, and not making progress in your work or household chores.

Is there a possibility of PMDD if there are many psychiatric symptoms?

If your mental symptoms are so painful that they interfere with your daily life, you may have PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). PMDD is a type of PMS in which mental symptoms are more intense, and even though there are usually no depressive symptoms, before menstruation, self-denial cannot be suppressed, and feelings of despair, vulnerability, and frustration. From there, they become aggressive towards people around them. The cause of PMDD is unknown, but it is believed that, like PMS, the balance of female hormones is deeply involved.

Read the following articles together
I want to read more about the difference between PMS and PMDD

Self-care that improves PMS

There are various symptoms of PMS, but it is possible to get along well by taking measures and preparing yourself. It's not a good way to put up with "this is nothing...". Let's see what kind of self-care we have.

self care for overeating

Whether you want to eat junk food or eat something sweet, you just want to be full! For those who say, let's accept yourself with a good appetite. If you deny yourself that you have an appetite, the guilt will become stressful, and you will become even more irritated and eat... you may fall into such a vicious cycle. You can reduce your appetite by eating more often and choosing foods such as fruits and nuts, but one of the measures is to balance hormones with a low-dose pill.

constipation self care

Drink plenty of water to prevent constipation. Fermented foods improve the intestinal environment without relying on pharmaceuticals, so it is recommended to incorporate yogurt, natto, miso soup, etc. into your diet. Before menstruation, the body tries to retain water due to the action of progesterone, resulting in hard stools and poor bowel movement. You can also place your palms on your tummy and massage in a clockwise motion to encourage bowel movement.

Self-care for swelling and dullness

To improve swelling and sluggishness, let's drain excess water accumulated in the body. It is recommended to slowly soak in the bath or move your body by stretching. It improves blood circulation throughout the body and improves metabolism. There are medical devices to improve swelling of the legs, but it is also expected that foods containing potassium, such as apples, bananas, tomatoes, and cucumbers, can be effective in reducing swelling.

Incorporating Chinese herbal medicine may lead to alleviation of various symptoms

Taking herbal medicines is also effective for painful PMS and PMDD symptoms. Kampo medicine comprehensively reviews various things such as the person's constitution and lifestyle, and gradually improves symptoms from the inside of the body. There are various herbal medicines, but the herbal medicines that are effective for the symptoms of PMS and PMDD are as follows.

• Kamishoyosan: Depression, irritation, hot flashes, hot flashes, etc.
• Toki shakuyakusan: Tendency to coldness and anemia
• Keishibukuryogan: Hot flashes, headache, lower abdominal pain, etc.

There are individual differences in the symptoms of PMS and PMDD, and it is necessary to take Chinese herbal medicine that matches the symptoms . Kampo medicine gradually improves the symptoms, so it is easy to incorporate it into your life, so if you want to alleviate the symptoms little by little, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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summary

The symptoms of PMS vary from person to person, and symptoms may worsen with age. If your mental symptoms are so painful that they interfere with your daily life, you may have PMDD, which is more severe than PMS. Since menstruation comes every month, you want to reduce your worries as much as possible. It's not a good way to put up with "if only I can get through this period...". When you feel unwell, try self-care, visit a medical institution, and borrow the power of medicine to treat yourself so that you can live comfortably.