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Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Natural Remedies for PMS

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Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS)  (also called PMT, pre-menstrual tension or pre-menstrual depression) is a combination of physical and psychological symptoms that occur in some women in approximately the week before menstruation begins.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS: The physical symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) include # changes in appetite (e.g craving for sweets and chocolates), # headaches, # swollen, tender breasts, # water retention (with oedema, bloating and weight gain), # stomach complaints, # pelvic pain and backache  # increased perspiration, # intense energy, followed by fatigue. The incidence and severity of the symptoms vary from woman to woman and from cycle to cycle.

PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS: These include # irritability, # mood swings, # anxiety, # tearfulness, # depression,  # fatigue and # difficulties with impulse control - all typically occurring pre-menstrually.

Most women experience few, if any, of these pre-menstrual symptoms and most are able to carry on their usual activities without any problems. Others are mildly incapacitated. Some women, however, experience symptoms which are so debilitating that their day to day functioning and relationships may be affected to varying degrees.  

CAUSES:   PMS is probably caused by a variety of factors, which differ from person to  person.

• Social factors - such as education and expectations based on the observation of other women, (mother, aunts, sisters) - will affect a woman's attitude to menstruation as well as her expectations about how it may affect her.

• Psychological factors may also play a part. Because society accepts that women can become "emotional" premenstrually, some women may subconsciously use this time to communicate issues that they have within themselves and in their relationships. Women who have difficulties with body image or problems surrounding their womanhood also tend to be more prone to PMS.

• Biological/physical factors include water retention, fluctuating hormonal levels and  a deficiency in serotonin (the "feelgood" brain chemical). 

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RECOMMENDED READING/  TREATMENT/ NATURAL REMEDIES