Despite being a common acronym and widely known, some of the symptoms of PMS are often not easily identified.
Firstly, we must clarify: What is PMS? Well, the acronym is short for Premenstrual Tension, and, in short, it defines a set of sensations that occur about 10 days before the start of the menstrual cycle, with PMS symptoms generally ending after menstruation.
Secondly, according to experts, the main reason for PMS is hormonal variation. Which occurs during the premenstrual period, that is, a variation that begins after a woman’s fertile period. It is proven that this variation interferes not only with the endocrine system, but also with the central nervous system, generating such symptoms. Therefore, in some cases, they just precede menstruation. But in others, they end up lasting throughout the entire menstrual period, and thus end only with the end of the flow.
What are the symptoms of PMS?
In principle, PMS symptoms can begin to be felt from a few hours, up to approximately 10 days before menstruation. They almost always disappear completely a few hours after the start of menstruation. However, if a woman is close to menopause, symptoms may persist throughout her period and even after it.
However, the signs can become more serious if the woman is going through a stressful time or even during the years before menopause. Monthly, PMS symptoms may be followed by a period of pain (cramps or dysmenorrhea), especially during adolescence.
In short, the most common symptoms are irritability, anxiety, agitation, anger, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, lethargy, depression and intense fatigue.
In the meantime, contrary to what many believe, PMS symptoms are not just psychological, they can also be physical. With this in mind, we, at Women’s Area, have listed all the physical and psychological symptoms of PMS.
Psychological symptoms
– Agitation;
– Anxiety;
– Confusion;
– Choro attacks;
– Depression;
– Difficulty concentrating;
– Emotional hypersensitivity;
– Forgetfulness or loss of memory;
– Irritability;
– Mood swings or worsening of mood disorders that are already present;
– Nervousness;
– Irritability;
– Binge eating;
– Loss of appetite.
Physical symptoms
– Perception of heartbeats (palpitations);
-Backache;
– Distension;
– Swelling and pain in the breasts;
– Changes in appetite and desire to eat certain foods;
– Cold;
– Cramps, feeling of being heavier or pressure in the lower abdomen;
– Dizziness, including vertigo;
– Ease of bruising;
– Fainting;
– Fatigue;
– Headaches;
– Heat waves;
– Insomnia, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep during the night;
– Joint and muscle pain;
– Lack of energy;
– Nausea and vomiting;
– Tingling in the hands and feet;
– Skin problems, such as acne and localized itchy dermatitis;
– Swelling of the hands and feet;
– Weight gain.
Clinical pictures
However, it is possible for other clinical conditions to worsen or intensify during PMS. Thus, including:
– Convulsive disorders, with more seizures than usual;
– Connective tissue diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) or rheumatoid arthritis, with exacerbations;
– Respiratory disorders, such as allergies and nasal and respiratory congestion;
– Migraines;
– Mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety;
– Sleep disorders, such as sleeping too much or not getting enough sleep.
However, be careful! According to experts, it is necessary to pay close attention to the symptoms as some mood disorders can cause similar symptoms. In conclusion, even if a woman does not have PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, in any case, it is possible for these symptoms to worsen before menstruation.
Basically, premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a disorder in which symptoms are so severe that they end up interfering with a woman’s professional, personal and emotional performance. In this way, it can range from loss of interest in daily activities and, in some more serious cases, it can even lead to suicidal incidences.
How to identify PMS symptoms
Firstly, if the symptoms are very strong, it is necessary to consult a doctor. This is because it can be quite confusing to differentiate PMS symptoms from other disorders. However, according to doctors, the diagnosis of PMS is mostly based on symptoms. However, to identify PMS, the doctor goes deeper and asks the woman to keep a daily record of her symptoms. So that from this record, the woman will then be aware of the changes in her body and temperament. This way, it also helps the doctor to identify the regular symptoms and thus determine the appropriate treatment for her.
However, if a woman has symptoms of depression, it is possible for her to undergo standard tests to diagnose depression. At the same time, she must be referred to a psychological professional. Although doctors are generally able to distinguish PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder from mood disorders based on the duration of symptoms. Anyway, if the symptoms disappear soon after the start of menstruation, they are probably caused by PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
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