All about PMS; meaning, symptoms, causes, and tips to control it

Pre menstrual syndrome or PMS

It has become such a common term but do we actually understand what it is?

PMS is referred as a syndrome because in the medical world we call something a syndrome when we can put a specific description on it and everybody doesn’t look the same. This shows that we as women all have different combinations of symptoms for PMS and they might even differ each month.

What are the Symptoms of PMS

In general when there is PMS it includes a combination of three different types of symptoms that are emotional symptoms, physical symptoms and behavioral symptoms.

Emotional symptoms may include

Irritability
Anger
Rage
Feeling depressed
Feeling like crying
Feeling of social withdrawal

2. Physical symptoms of PMS

Breast tenderness
Migraine
Insomnia
Upset stomach
Pain in or around hips, Lower back and joints
Acne breakouts
Bloating
Fluid retention
A little bit of weight gain

3. Behavioral symptoms

This might generally include food cravings

What Causes PMS?

It’s the hormones

Fluctuations of hormone levels
Level of dopamine and serotonin are on lower level generally known as the feel good hormones.

10 Foods that Fights PMS

Tips to control PMS

Have a good quality sleep
Regulate your food habits till you have symptoms
Exercise or eat chocolate to increase levels of serotonin
Practice stress reduction techniques such as yoga, going to walk, be out with friends etc.
Go to a doctor so they can help you find a treatment that is safe and effective if you have serious symptoms.