PMS: what it is, symptoms and treatment (remedies and home options)

PMS (premenstrual tension) is a syndrome caused by natural hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, which can cause physical and/or emotional symptoms, such as anxiety, crying spells, muscle pain, colic and irritability.

Generally, PMS appears 1 to 2 weeks before menstruation and its symptoms may remain more intense until the day of menstruation.

Although they are very uncomfortable and can affect a woman’s daily life, most PMS symptoms can be alleviated naturally, through regular physical activity, drinking tea and eating a balanced diet. However, there are also women who have very intense symptoms and, in these cases, the use of medication may be recommended by the gynecologist. See the main tips for relieving PMS symptoms.

Main signs and symptoms

The main physical symptoms of PMS are:

• Muscle and joint pain;
• Sore breasts;
• Colic;
• Headache;
• Weight gain;
• Acne;
• Excessive tiredness.

Furthermore, nausea and vomiting are also other physical symptoms that can affect some women. Learn about other symptoms that may appear in PMS.

Emotional symptoms

The emotional symptoms of PMS include:

• Anxiety or stress;
• Change in appetite;
• Frequent anger or irritability;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Choro attacks;
• Insomnia or excessive sleep;
• Depression;
• Decreased libido.

Some signs and symptoms may be more serious in some women, characterizing premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a condition that causes symptoms similar to PMS, but which can generate anxiety attacks, greater aggression and absence from work, for example, making simple tasks difficult. everyday. Understand what premenstrual dysphoric disorder is and how to treat it.

Online symptom test

If you think you suffer from PMS, please answer the following questions to find out your chances:

How to confirm the diagnosis

As there are no laboratory tests to diagnose PMS, the general practitioner or gynecologist usually evaluates the reported signs and symptoms. To do this, the doctor may also ask for notes, for at least 2 months, about the beginning and end of signs and symptoms, and the duration of menstruation.

According to the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, the presence of 5 or more physical and emotional signs and symptoms, 5 days before menstruation, indicates the presence of PMS.

As the signs and symptoms of PMS can be confused with other situations, such as thyroid problems, depression or anxiety, the doctor may also order some more specific tests, such as blood tests and imaging tests for better evaluation.

Main causes

Although the causes of PMS are not yet fully known, it is believed that this condition is caused by variations in the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the central nervous system, which decrease levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, anxiety and appetite.

Furthermore, some theories indicate that genetic predisposition and deficiency of serotonin, vitamin B6 and magnesium can also cause PMS.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment to alleviate the signs and symptoms of PMS must be carried out according to the severity of the symptoms and on an individual basis, and can be carried out using medication or natural options.

1. Treatment with medicine

The remedies to treat the most intense symptoms of PMS and which should only be used under prescription and under the supervision of a general practitioner, or gynecologist, are:

• Oral contraceptives, such as ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone, which inhibit hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle, reducing swelling;
• Progesterone injectionsuch as medroxyprogesterone, which is a contraceptive that interrupts menstruation for 3 months, inhibiting the signs and symptoms of PMS;
• Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen and ponstan, which relieve headaches, cramps, pain in the breasts or legs;
• antiemetics, such as dimenhydrinate or bromopride, may be useful to control nausea at this stage;
• Antidepressants, such as sertraline and fluoxetine, which help increase the amount of serotonin, relieving some PMS symptoms, such as irritability, anxiety, depression and binge eating;
• Anxiolytics, such as alprazolam and lorazepam, which have calming properties, relieving symptoms of stress, anxiety and irritability.

Treatment for women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder is carried out in the same way as PMS. However, higher doses of medication and follow-up with a psychiatrist to adjust medications and a psychologist may be necessary to help control anxiety, irritability or stress.

2. Natural treatments

Natural treatments may be sufficient to alleviate milder PMS symptoms, but they can also be used to complement medication therapy in cases of stronger symptoms. Some natural treatments for PMS include:

• Physical exercises, such as yoga, walking or cycling help to increase serotonin and endorphin levels in the body, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as improving bowel function and blood circulation, combating swelling;
• Supplements, such as magnesium, evening primrose oil, calcium, vitamin E and vitamin B6, can improve serotonin levels in the body, relieving PMS symptoms;
• herbal medicines, in the form of teas, tablets or extracts, such as valerian, passionflower, agnocasto and St. John’s wort, they can be used to alleviate various PMS symptoms, such as anxiety, tiredness, irritability, insomnia and breast pain;
• Acupuncture, which promotes relaxation, reducing headaches, stress and anxiety, and improving sleep quality. See how acupuncture can help treat PMS.

During PMS, it is recommended to maintain a balanced diet, prioritizing foods rich in omega 3, such as fish, avocado, almonds and olive oil, which have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce symptoms such as irritability, headache, anxiety and insomnia.

Furthermore, it is also important to prioritize the intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, which have good amounts of fiber, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6, helping to combat bloating, constipation and improving general well-being. Discover all the foods that should be prioritized during PMS.