Definition
Premenstrual syndrome is a combination of several symptoms that occur periodically, always a few days before menstruation. The symptoms are both physical and psychological. Premenstrual syndrome is a multifactorial disease with psychological, hormonal and neurological components.
Many women suffer from a mild form of premenstrual syndrome, but in some cases the symptoms can be so severe that the women have significant limitations in their everyday life. In these cases, drug therapy may be necessary. Here you can find out by which symptoms you can recognize the premenstrual syndrome: By these symptoms you can recognize the premenstrual syndrome
CAUSES: What causes premenstrual syndrome?
The exact cause of the premenstrual syndrome is not yet known. However, since PMS is a periodic condition, the most likely trigger is hormonal fluctuation during the female cycle. Since this does not explain the whole clinical picture, it is probably a multifactorial disease. Psychological causes and neurological causes are discussed as further factors besides the hormonal fluctuations.
SYMPTOME: What signs accompany PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome is characterized by many symptoms, both psychological and physical. Premenstrual Syndrome is a combination of up to 30 different symptoms, all of which can be combined with depression. Abdominal pain, flatulence, loss of appetite or attacks of hunger are among the physical symptoms reported by a particularly large number of sufferers.
Acne and skin impurities are also a common symptom. Many affected women also suffer from water retention in the whole body. The hands, feet and breasts are particularly affected.
Since this is also visible, it is a psychologically problematic symptom. However, the premenstrual syndrome itself can also lead to a variety of psychological complaints in addition to depression. These include anxiety, sleep disorders, concentration problems, irritability and aggressiveness as well as mood swings.
Not all affected women develop all symptoms, but the symptoms can also occur in isolation. The severity of the symptoms also varies from individual to individual. If the psychological symptoms predominate and severe depression is present, gynecologists refer to it as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, also known as PMDS.
This particularly severe form of premenstrual syndrome affects less than five percent of affected women. The premenstrual syndrome is often accompanied by symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract. These include nausea and vomiting.
These can occur directly after eating or completely independently. Some women also get premenstrual nausea from certain foods that they usually like to eat or drink. Some smells can also be perceived as more unpleasant and thus lead to nausea.
Many women can be helped by normal over-the-counter drugs against nausea. You can find more information under: Premenstrual syndrome and nausea. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to hot flashes.
These are characterized by a sudden feeling of warmth that starts in the breast area and then spreads throughout the body. These hot flushes are often accompanied by outbreaks of sweating in the affected areas of the body and can also cause the affected woman to wake up. Frequent outbreaks of sweating therefore also lead to sleep disorders.
In premenstrual syndrome, some women may experience such hot flashes. Many women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome have severe abdominal pain both premenstrually and during menstruation. This cramping pain is caused by tension in the uterine muscles.
Freely available painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can be taken to relieve the pain. If there is heavy bleeding, aspirin should not be used as an analgesic, as this weakens blood clotting and can increase bleeding. Many women are also helped by a hot-water bottle or warm tea to relieve the pain.
What helps against menstrual pain? In the female cycle there are strong hormonal fluctuations. Hormones, including the fluctuating sex hormones, affect the whole body and have a direct effect on the psyche.This can lead to a depressive disgruntlement completely independently of other illnesses or, in the case of basically existing depression, can trigger or intensify a depressive episode.
Especially women who are under great stress at work or at home tend to suffer from depressive moods during their cycle. These can also occur without other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. In severe cases, the women are given antidepressants, which, however, are only used after other therapies have failed due to severe side effects.
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