Premenstrual Syndrome
If you experience premenstrual syndrome each month, relief is available. At Reid Health, we can help you find solutions for a range of symptoms.
Battling back against premenstrual syndrome
Periods are a regular part of life for most women, from their teenage years to menopause. More than 90% experience some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
The OB/GYNs and women’s health providers at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana, can help you manage and treat severe PMS symptoms so you can get on with your life.
What is premenstrual syndrome?
A syndrome is a collection of symptoms. PMS is a collection of physical and mental symptoms that occur during the one to two weeks before your period begins.
Most women experience PMS at least occasionally. However, it can come and go over the years, worsening and then improving. In most cases, symptoms are mild, but they can be severe enough to make you miss school or work or interrupt your daily life.
The exact cause of PMS isn’t known. It’s thought symptoms occur because of changes in hormone levels during your monthly cycles, often after ovulation. You ovulate anywhere from 10 to 16 days before your period. Afterward, levels of two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, begin to fall. Levels rise when your period begins, and PMS symptoms usually go away a few days later as hormone levels start to rise again.
Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
PMS affects people differently. Some develop emotional symptoms, others physical symptoms, and still others a combination of both. Symptoms of PMS might include:
- Acne
- Anxiety or depression
- Appetite changes, including food cravings
- Back pain
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Cramping
- Decreased interest in sex
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Mood swings
- Problems tolerating noise and light
- Sleep problems
Premenstrual syndrome treatments available at Reid
If you’re experiencing PMS symptoms in the week or two before your period, your OB/GYN can help you manage them. Mild or moderate symptoms might improve with changes to your diet and by exercising more. Your provider might recommend:
- Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein
- Exercising 30 minutes a day, most days of the week (and not just on the days you have symptoms)
- Finding healthy ways to manage stress, including meditation or mindfulness
- Limiting caffeine, sodium, and added sugar during the two weeks before your period
- Making it a priority to get enough quality sleep each night
- Quitting tobacco if you smoke
Severe PMS symptoms could need more than lifestyle changes. Your provider might recommend other treatment options, including:
- Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to reduce mental symptoms
- Birth control pills to help with physical symptoms
- Diuretics to limit bloating and breast tenderness
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers
Know your Reid OB/GYN is here for you. Some conditions can overlap or mimic PMS, including depression, anxiety, thyroid disease, and irritable bowel syndrome, and asking for help might help your doctor determine if you have PMS or another condition.
Your Reid provider can also help you manage other conditions related to your period, including heavy menstrual bleeding and a more severe form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder. No matter what you’re experiencing, we’re here to help.