Premenstrual syndrome occurs before critical days as a result of the pathological course of the second phase of the female cycle. Symptoms of PMS in women occur in 5-40 percent. Other names for this pathology are premenstrual illness, premenstrual tension.

Causes

The entire functioning of the female body is influenced by certain sex hormones:

• In the first phase of the cycle, estrogen is produced. It is characterized by a positive effect on the psycho-emotional and physical well-being of a woman, increasing vitality and various abilities.
• In the second phase of the cycle, progesterone is intensively produced. Its effect is sedative, depressing, causing bad mood, reducing performance.

Thus, during the transition from the first phase of the menstrual cycle to the second, a sharp change in hormonal levels occurs. This is how signs of PMS appear before menstruation - this is a peculiar reaction of the body.

Rapid changes in the balance of hormones lead to somatic and psycho-vegetative disorders.

Doctors call various reasons, contributing to the appearance of unpleasant symptoms in girls and women:

• heredity;
• gynecological diseases;
• improper, unbalanced diet;
• consumption of alcohol, nicotine, drugs;
• excessive physical activity;
• abortions;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• emotional instability.

PMS symptoms

They are so different that medicine divides them into groups.

Manifestations from the vegetative-vascular system:

• headaches, migraines;
• heartache;
• dyspnea;
• increased heart rate;
• increased blood pressure;
• pulsation in temples;
• swelling;
• high sensitivity to sounds and smells.

Manifestations nervous system:

• rapid mood changes;
• emotional instability - aggression, tearfulness, depression;
• insomnia or disruption of the day and night routine;
• feeling of fear;
• problems with appetite.

Manifestations from the digestive system:

• diarrhea or constipation;
• nausea, vomiting;
• increased gas formation;
• frequent urination.

Wondering how to relieve pain, many women struggle with discomfort on their own. It makes sense to consult a doctor and get help; the lack of proper therapy for premenstrual syndrome can lead to the development of a decompensated form of the disease.

How to distinguish from pregnancy?

Many people are concerned about the question - signs of PMS and pregnancy, what is the difference between their manifestations. And indeed, at first glance, these states are similar.

Signs of pregnancy include:

• weakness, fatigue;
• manifestations of nausea, vomiting;
• pain in the lumbar region;
• high sensitivity, discomfort in the mammary glands, their;
• change of mood.

Then how to distinguish PMS symptoms from pregnancy? First of all, you should wait for your period. If it happened, and before that there was unprotected sexual intercourse, you need to do it.

The test is based on a reaction to hCG, a hormone produced in a woman’s body after conception. But the test for early stages may not always show the correct result. Reliable data will be provided by an ultrasound and a visit to a gynecologist.

Do I need to go to the doctor?

How many days before your period PMS symptoms occur depends on individual characteristics woman's body. But in any case, if they are very pronounced and interfere with normal life, you need to see a doctor, undergo an examination and receive therapy.

• hormonal to restore the balance of hormones in the body;
• antidepressants – reduce emotional disorders;
• diuretics – relieve swelling;
• antihistamines - in the presence of allergic manifestations;
• vitamins.

The therapy is complex and lasts up to six months.

You can relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome by following these recommendations:

• balanced diet;
• restriction in salted, smoked foods;
• refusal of coffee, smoking, alcoholic beverages;
• complete rest;
• physical activity.

You can use the funds traditional medicine. Tea made from mint, chamomile, and motherwort are effective. They can complement drug treatment.

Video about the disease

The menstrual cycle has complex hormonal regulation, its phases follow one another, and in each of them certain sex hormones predominate in a woman’s body. For some women, the second phase of the cycle is accompanied by the appearance of signs of PMS.

The abbreviation PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome and refers to a complex set of symptoms that occur several days before the expected menstruation.

It is manifested by metabolic, endocrine and autonomic nervous system disorders. There are other names for the pathology: “premenstrual tension syndrome” and “premenstrual illness”.

PMS symptoms

Appear 2-10 days before the start of menstruation. They can be observed during both ovulatory and anovulatory cycles. Symptoms disappear with the onset of bleeding, less often after it stops.

There are more than 150 signs that can accompany. The main ones are:

1. 1 Changes in the digestive system: nausea, vomiting, bloating and discomfort in the abdomen, bowel problems (constipation or diarrhea), bulimia, changes in taste, cravings for alcohol or sweets.
2. 2 Pain of various localizations: in the lower back, lower abdomen and pelvic area, head, in the heart area.
3. 3 Breast engorgement, swelling of varying severity in the legs, arms, face, decreased diuresis and fluid retention.
4. 4 Neuropsychiatric disorders: mood swings, tearfulness, aggression, depressed mood, unmotivated fear, isolation, depression, suicidal thoughts.
5. 5 Skin manifestations: increased fat content, sweating, acne, hyperpigmentation.
6. 6 From the musculoskeletal system: joint pain, muscle weakness, lumbodynia, sciatica.
7. 7 Other manifestations: tachycardia, skin itching, dizziness, thirst.

Such symptoms bother 5 to 40% of women, and 10% of them note that PMS disrupts the normal rhythm of life and relationships with others.

Some features of premenstrual syndrome have been noticed. It is more pronounced in young women, although it also occurs after 40-50 years.

In girls, depression of mood and tearfulness are more often observed, in women after 40 years - aggression. Premenstrual symptoms are more typical for women living in large cities who are engaged in mental work and are underweight.

2. Clinical forms

Scientists have tried to combine the variety of manifestations into a single classification of forms of PMS. Currently, the classification proposed by V.P. Smetnik is often used. She divides all manifestations of PMS into 4 forms: neuropsychic, edematous, cephalgic and crisis.

2.1. Neuropsychic

In this form, symptoms of dysfunction of the nervous system predominate - mood swings, aggression, lability, weakness and fatigue. Auditory hallucinations, sexual dysfunction, and cognitive disorders (memory, attention) may occur.

2.2. Edema

A woman experiences swelling of varying severity in her legs and arms. Swelling of the fingers makes it difficult to remove wedding ring. The mammary glands become enlarged, become painful or sensitive, the volume of the abdomen increases, and the digestion process changes.

Some patients note weight gain, which occurs due to fluid retention (up to 700 ml/day).

Excessive sweating and increased sensitivity to odors are common. Many women with such symptoms turn to therapists and do not analyze the frequency of occurrence of complaints.

2.3. Cephalgic

In women with this form of PMS, headaches, dizziness, increased sensitivity to sounds and smells predominate, and there may be nausea and vomiting. The headache is often throbbing, appears in a certain part of the skull, but is not accompanied by an increase in blood pressure.

Some women notice a rapid heartbeat and increased sweating. Swelling and engorgement of the mammary glands may be observed, while diuresis is positive (the amount of urine excreted is greater than the amount of liquid drunk).

2.4. Krizovaya

Characterized by sympatho-adrenal crises. Blood pressure rises sharply, pressing pain in the chest and palpitations appear. Sometimes the patient notes coldness of the extremities and the appearance of fear of death.

There are no changes on the ECG. Crises occur in the evening or at night, as well as after stress or overwork. After an attack, the woman urinates profusely.

This form of PMS is the result of refusal to treat edematous, cephalgic or neuropsychic forms.

Severity	Lightweight	Average	Heavy
	Mild - with this form, 3-4 symptoms appear 2-10 days before the start of menstruation, but only 1-2 are pronounced.	An intermediate option between light and heavy	The appearance of 5-12 symptoms 3-14 days before menstruation, of which 2 to 5 are significantly expressed.
Stage	Compensation	Subcompensation	Decompensation
	Symptoms appear before menstruation and disappear with its onset; the disease does not progress over the years.	Over time, the number of complaints increases, as does the duration of PMS and its severity.	The course is severe, the symptoms are pronounced. The number and duration of light intervals with relatively good health are minimal.
Impact on daily life	The daily rhythm of life does not change. The quality of life does not suffer.	Woman's activity in everyday life family life decreases, but ability to work remains.	Woman loses her ability to work

Table 1 - Severity of premenstrual syndrome

2.5. Atypical forms

Some women experience symptoms that do not fit into the generally accepted classification. Some researchers point to the following manifestations of PMS:

1. 1 Hyperthermia with a regular increase in temperature in the luteal phase to subfebrile levels. There are no signs of inflammation in blood tests, and body temperature returns to normal with the onset of menstruation.
2. 2 Menstrual migraine. It manifests itself as a migraine headache during menstruation.
3. 3 With cyclical allergic reactions (usually in the form of urticaria, less often - Quincke's edema).
4. 4 Ophthalmoplegic form - unilateral drooping of the eyelid in the luteal phase.
5. 5 Hypersomnic – the appearance of lethargic sleep in the second phase of the cycle.
6. 6 Cyclic bronchial asthma.
7. 7 Cyclic gingivitis and stomatitis.

With PMS, these symptoms should recur every cycle for several months. To establish a connection with the cycle, you can keep a diary yourself and note the time when unpleasant sensations appear. This will help organize the information and make it easier for the doctor to make a diagnosis.

3. Theories of origin

Why do some women change cycle phases easily and painlessly, while for others it becomes a real challenge? There is still no consensus on this issue.

The following conditions contribute to the deterioration of well-being:

1. 1 Frequent stress, sedentary lifestyle.
2. 2 Menstrual irregularities and heavy, painful periods.
3. 3 Neuroinfections.
4. 4 Difficult pregnancy and childbirth.
5. 5 Consequences of abortion.
6. 6 Gynecological diseases.
7. 7 Injuries and operations.
8. 8 Chronic diseases.
9. 9 Sexual dissatisfaction.
10. 10 Poor nutrition, consumption of foods low in fiber, vitamins B and D, calcium.

One of the first to put forward the hormonal theory of PMS. Other theories have now been developed:

1. 1 Water intoxication.
2. 2 Allergic.
3. 3 Prolactin.
4. 4 Prostaglandin.
5. 5 Psychosomatic.

The following facts support the hormonal theory of PMS:

1. 1 Signs of pathology first appear with the onset of puberty; this condition is not typical for girls.
2. 2 Unpleasant sensations before menstruation can be observed throughout the entire reproductive period and practically disappear with the onset of menopause.
3. 3 Symptoms do not disappear in women who have had a hysterectomy with preservation of the ovaries.

The hormonal theory is associated with the predominance of estrogen levels over progesterone (relative hyperestrogenism) and their undesirable effects.

The development of water intoxication is associated with a violation of water-salt metabolism in the body. Normally, fluid retention occurs during the luteal phase of the cycle, but if there is an imbalance, this indicator increases even more. The consequence of this is mastodynia - pain and engorgement of the mammary gland.

Headache is also associated with overhydration and increased intracranial pressure. In some patients who are prescribed diuretics, the severity of pain decreases.

4. Diagnostics

In diagnosing PMS, confirmation of the cyclical nature of symptoms is of primary importance. There is no need to use all available examination techniques. Preference is given to those that are suitable for a specific form of pathology.

List of main diagnostic methods:

1. 1 Hormone tests will be indicative for most women with PMS. The level of estrogen (estriol), progesterone, and prolactin is determined in the second phase of the cycle.
2. 2 Assessing the levels of thyroid hormones, cortisol, C-peptide, sex-steroid-binding globulin and glucose tolerance test are of secondary importance.
3. 3 According to indications, ultrasound of the thyroid and mammary glands, ECG, EEG, CT, and MRI are performed.
4. 4 In case of neurological symptoms, a CT or MRI of the brain is necessary to exclude tumor formations. The interpretation of the results obtained is carried out jointly with neurologists.
5. 5 In the neuropsychic form, electroencephalography is desirable, the results of which determine functional disorders in the diencephalolimbic structure of the brain.

5. Treatment methods

It is possible with the help of psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. It is important for women to pay attention to their work and rest schedule.

Following a daily routine and bedtime (optimally no later than 10-11 p.m.) will help you get rid of unpleasant sensations. For those who have night shifts and on duty, it is better to transfer to day work.

It is important to alternate between work and rest during the day. Regular physical education and morning exercises are advisable; for some, a daily walk in the evening is enough.

Working with a psychologist is combined with keeping a special diary, which reflects all the symptoms that precede the onset of menstruation.

It is also useful to make a graph of basal temperature, which will allow you to notice the onset, as well as determine how many days before the start of menstruation the first signs of PMS appear.

Pregnancy can be one of the ways to treat PMS. Some women, with a delay, note the disappearance of unpleasant sensations.

5.1. Balanced diet

You definitely need to reconsider your diet. It is necessary to create a menu based on the principles of a healthy lifestyle, with restrictions simple carbohydrates, caffeine, salt, alcohol, trans fats.

Recommendations for limiting “harmful products” are more relevant for the second phase of the cycle. But on other days you should not abuse them. Additional enrichment of food with fiber, vitamins, minerals and trace elements is necessary. In most cases, it is recommended to take special multivitamin complexes.

Several studies have shown that taking vitamin D and calcium supplements can reduce the severity of migraines, mood swings and other symptoms. The effectiveness of additional intake of magnesium and B vitamins (especially B1, B2 and B6) is being studied. The duration of their use should not be less than 3-4 months.

The calorie content of the diet is maintained on average at 1200-1500 kcal; a more accurate calculation is made based on age, body weight and height.

5.2. Drugs

Drug treatment involves the prescription of hormonal drugs. The following groups of drugs can be used:

1. 1 (for example, Angelique, Jess plus, Yarina plus, Dimia, Janine, Chloe, Diane-35, Logest, etc.). Their effectiveness has been proven in studies; the selection of the drug is carried out only by the attending physician. He will also tell you how much pills you need to take and what to do if side effects occur.
2. 2 Dopamine receptor agonists (Bromocriptine, Dostinex).
3. 3 Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (Buserelin, Diferelin) are used to treat severe forms. They can cause depression and insomnia, so they are not recommended for long-term use.
4. 4 Gestagens (Duphaston, Mirena). This group is still sometimes prescribed in medical practice, although data on their effectiveness for PMS is contradictory. The theory of progesterone deficiency in the second phase of the cycle is already considered outdated abroad, since the influence of prolactin and prostaglandins has been proven.

To improve metabolism and the functional state of the central nervous system, Phezam, Lucetam, Vinpocetine, Magne B6 are used. For dysphoria, a psychotherapist may prescribe mild sedatives and antidepressants.

Normalize blood rheology, improve blood supply to tissues Pentoxifylline, Troxerutin, Nicergoline. Diuretics are prescribed for severe edema.

As aids use herbs that have a sedative effect: valerian extract, motherwort tincture.

Folk remedies for severe PMS may not be effective. Physiotherapy methods have a good effect.

Any attempts to cope with PMS must be combined with the right attitude, a change in perception of the disease and the world around us. For men, the condition in which a woman is may be incomprehensible. It is important that the spouse or sexual partner understands that the reasons for the changed behavior are hormonal fluctuations, and not a whim or whim.

Many women suffer from PMS, which occurs during the premenstrual days. What is PMS in women? How to deal with PMS? Let's look at this in more detail.

Decoding PMS

Many girls know firsthand about the unpleasant symptoms before menstruation. Probably every woman experienced psycho-emotional disorders and discomfort these days at least once in her life.

How does PMS stand for? - this is premenstrual syndrome (cyclic syndrome, premenstrual illness, premenstrual stress syndrome.) This is a complex set of symptoms that occurs cyclically in women a few days before menstruation.

PMS is characterized by disorders:

• psycho-emotional;
• metabolic-endocrine;
• vegetative-vascular.

These disorders negatively affect a woman’s lifestyle.

Symptoms of PMS in women

The clinical picture of the syndrome includes a number of symptoms:

1. Neuropsychic (these include: irritability, tearfulness, depression, aggression)
2. Symptoms associated with disorders of the vegetative-vascular system (these include: headache, heart pain, vomiting, nausea, migraine, dizziness)
3. Symptoms associated with disorders in the endocrine system (these include: swelling, itching, fever, breast swelling, sometimes chest pain).

Depending on the symptoms of PMS, the clinical form of the disease is divided into the following types:

Neuropsychic form.

With this form of the syndrome, symptoms such as depression, aggression, excessive irritability, tearfulness, general weakness predominate, and sensitivity to smells and sounds increases. This form of PMS is one of the most common among the others. 43.3% of women experience neuropsychiatric symptoms. Average age women with such symptoms are from 27 to 37 years old. In girls during adolescence, aggression predominates, and young women often become depressed during PMS

Cephalgic form.

This form is characterized by headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, irritability, depression, pain in the heart, breast engorgement, swelling, and greater sensitivity to odors. With this disease, the headache begins in the temporal part and becomes throbbing. 20% of women suffer from the cephalgic form of premenstrual syndrome. It occurs mainly in women of early reproductive age (about 32%) and late reproductive age (20%).

Edema form.

With this form, swelling of the face and limbs, skin itching and rash occurs, sweating increases, and pain in the mammary glands appears. There may also be bloating and general weakness. This form occurs mainly in women in early reproductive age and accounts for 46%. During active reproductive age, symptoms of the edematous form occur in only 6% of women.

Crisis form.

With this form, panic disorder is observed, starting with an increase in blood pressure, a feeling of chest compression, fear of death, an unpredictable feeling of anxiety, sweating, and shortness of breath. Symptomatic adrenal crises usually occur in the evening or at night and end with very copious urination. The crisis form is the most severe, but is extremely rare in women. Such crises can occur due to prolonged stress, constant fatigue, or any infections. In early reproductive age, this form occurs in 4% of women. In active age – 12.5% ​​and 20% in late age.

PMS symptoms are very diverse, there are about 200 of them.

The most common symptoms:

• irritability;
• tension;
• painfully low mood (dysphoria).

After the start of menstruation, symptoms disappear almost immediately. But if symptoms do not go away during the menstrual cycle, you should consult a doctor. Since the cause may be some disease, and not PMS.

How long PMS lasts depends on the woman’s lifestyle, her health and immunity. In some women, PMS is more pronounced, in others less.

Causes of PMS

Many people think that the causes of the syndrome are related to the psyche and state of mind of a woman. But in fact, the reason is a change in the hormonal background of a woman during the menstrual cycle. The syndrome is caused by a violation of the ratio of estrogen and the hormone progesterone in the luteal phase of a woman’s cycle. Signs of PMS before menstruation indicate their imminent onset.

The syndrome cannot occur in the following cases:

1. Before puberty
2. During pregnancy,
3. After the menopause phase,
4. In the absence of ovaries in women.

The development of the syndrome occurs not only from a lack of the hormone progesterone, but also depending on the characteristics of progesterone metabolism in the central nervous system.

One of the new theories is psychosomatic, where somatic diseases occupy the original place, and mental disorders appear as a result of hormonal imbalances.

The risk of premenstrual syndrome increases with age. Women living in big cities are more likely to suffer from the syndrome than women living in villages.

Stages of cyclic syndrome

There are 3 stages of PMS:

1. Compensated - symptoms stop with the onset of menstruation and do not progress with age.
2. Subcompensated - symptoms stop when menstruation ends and progress with age.
3. Decompensated - symptoms continue for several days after the end of menstruation.

The syndrome is divided into mild and severe degrees depending on the symptoms.

Mild degree - the presence of 3-4 symptoms, 1-2 of which predominate.

Severe degree - 5-10 symptoms immediately appear, 2-5 of which predominate.

Diagnosis of cyclic syndrome in women

Diagnosing the disease is quite difficult due to the large number of symptoms.

To diagnose the syndrome, the main point is the cyclical nature of PMS symptoms that occur before menstruation.

To make a diagnosis, the doctor orders blood tests for hormones in two phases of the menstrual cycle. The doctor examines the medical history and asks about the woman’s complaints.

The condition of the central nervous system and the level of brain damage are assessed using x-rays, depending on the patient’s age and the severity of the disease.

In the case of a neuropsychiatric form, it is necessary to additionally visit a neurologist and psychiatrist, who can prescribe EEG, craniography, and REG.

In case of edematous form, you need to monitor the amount of fluid you drink 3-4 days before and during your period. At in good condition the body fluid is released by 400 ml more than was drunk. The doctor examines the excretory function of the kidneys and may order a mammogram.

With cephalgia, a change occurs in the bones of the cranial vault, so an X-ray, EEG, REG are performed, and the fundus is examined. In this form, consultation with a neurologist, allergist and ophthalmologist is recommended.

In case of crisis, diuresis is measured (the volume of urine that is formed over a certain period of time. The pressure and volume of fluid drunk are also measured. EEG, craniography and REG are prescribed.

Treatment of premenstrual syndrome

How to deal with PMS? PMS treatment is carried out in a complex manner, regardless of the form of the disease. The main goal in the treatment of the syndrome is to regulate the function of the hypothalamus, eliminate female diseases, and normalize dehydration. What treatment will be given depends on the severity. To achieve improvement, it is necessary to carry out a three-month treatment cycle with a two-month break. If symptoms recur, the course of treatment should be continued.

The main methods of treating PMS:

• hormonal therapy (use of hormones progesterone, estrogens and others);
• physiotherapy (treatment with natural and artificially created natural factors);
• pharmacotherapy (conservative methods - treatment with drugs);
• acupuncture (acupuncture, reflexology).

To prevent the syndrome, you need to change your usual lifestyle and start taking vitamins. Try to avoid stress, sudden climate change. The use of combined oral contraceptives is highly undesirable. Abortions also have a negative impact on a woman’s body, so you should try to avoid them. To prevent PMS, you need to regularly exercise and do yoga. Excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine has a detrimental effect on the body.

2 Oh, these women!!! We cannot live without them, and being with them is terribly difficult. Unfortunately, the reproductive instinct does terrible things to men. Without access to a woman's pussy, any man loses the will to live, some have thoughts of suicide. As the hero said in one film, " Women, we cannot live without them, but they cannot write while standing". Sex hormones have strong influence on the human psyche, and if for guys this does not pose any particular problems, then under the influence of these substances women can be compared to schizophrenics. You have more than once noticed outbreaks of unmotivated aggression, mood swings, tears, laughter, hatred literally out of nowhere; this is one of the signs of an upset psyche. And when a young lady experiences PMS, the load on her already overloaded brain increases noticeably, and it begins to malfunction. What does PMS mean?? This abbreviation stands for " premenstrual syndrome", in fact, this is not a separate disease, but a set of symptoms that appear in women just before menstruation. As a rule, they " are sick" to one degree or another in almost half of all women, and appears three to five to seven days before the onset of menstruation.

PMS- this is a whole complex of negative symptoms and signs that manifests itself in 70 - 80 percent of girls before the onset of menstruation. However, as a woman ages, the symptoms of PMS worsen, for example, before the age of 30, every fifth woman experiences PMS syndrome, and after thirty years - already in half of all cases

Many women are very concerned about the question Does PMS occur in men?? The fact is that some men sometimes say as a joke that " I have PMS"and many young ladies take this for" at face value". Dear stolen, men don’t have PMS, because they didn’t have female sex hormones from birth, well, almost everyone. Some bearded Eurovision winners apparently still have them.

What is PMS?

These are severe mood swings, intolerance, aggressiveness, tearfulness, and severe touchiness. You know all this yourself, if you are a girl, of course. And if you are an alpha guy, then something like this female condition can plunge you into a quiet panic. Therefore, there is an opinion that you need to have several women, then today you date one hottie, tomorrow you choose a feisty slut, and then you go to your kawaii cutie. Therefore, I recommend having a calendar and marking the days of your lady, and as soon as PMS sets in, you urgently need to disappear for several days, or better yet for a week, at the same time you will miss your period.

Some world-wise men decipher PMS as " period of male suffering". Therefore, in order not to invent such decodings and experience all the delights of a missus who has gone crazy, just disappear from sight. Well, you understand, yes,

The female body is full of mysteries and unexpected reactions. To this day, scientists are trying to unravel the mystery of premenstrual syndrome. In some women it manifests itself very violently, while other ladies have no idea about it. Today's article will tell you about the signs before menstruation. A list of PMS symptoms and ways to eliminate them will be presented to your attention. If you experience one or more of the signs described below, it is recommended that you consult a gynecologist for examination and advice.

Causes of reactions

Why do PMS symptoms appear before menstruation? It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally. Previously, it was assumed that the symptoms arose due to mental and neurological diseases. Now it has been proven otherwise. The manifestation directly depends on changes in hormonal levels. That is why the symptoms are determined at the same time (before the next menstruation).

It is impossible to answer the question of why some women are susceptible to PMS, while others have no idea what it is. A study was conducted: patients with severe manifestations of premenstrual syndrome were given drugs that correct hormonal levels. However, some subjects still had symptoms. This suggests that the cause of PMS lies elsewhere. Often the manifestations are associated with diseases of the thyroid gland, circadian rhythm disorders, and psychological illnesses.

Timing of symptom onset

When can a woman feel signs of PMS (before her period)? How many days do they take to appear? It all depends on the length of the cycle and the individual characteristics of the body.

Some representatives of the fairer sex say that they feel PMS already 2 weeks before the next bleeding. This means that with the onset of the second phase, they begin to experience the symptoms described below. Other patients complain of five or seven days of PMS. Moreover, in all women, symptoms worsen approximately two days before the onset of menstruation. Let's look at the signs of PMS before menstruation and find out how you can deal with them.

Painful sensations in the abdomen

For many representatives of the fairer sex, the signs of PMS (before menstruation) are determined by pain. It can be pulling, stabbing or in the form of a spasm. This symptom goes away a few days after the start of menstruation. Some patients easily tolerate such ailment, while others cannot lead a normal lifestyle. How can you help in this case?

If immediate recovery is required, then you need to take any antispasmodic. The most popular drugs are “No-Shpa”, “Drotaverine”, “Papaverine”, “Papazol” and so on. They are purchased in pharmacies without a prescription. Painkillers such as Spazgan, Spazmalgon, Nimulid, Diclofenac, and Ibuprofen are also used.

Please note that severe pain before and during menstruation indicate the presence of pathology. A similar symptom occurs with endometriosis, inflammation, fibroids and other tumors.

Breast changes

What other common signs of PMS are there? Before menstruation, approximately half of all women of reproductive age complain about their breasts. In the area of ​​the mammary glands, compactions and nodules appear. You can easily feel them yourself. Also, fluid may leak from the nipple when pressed. The breasts slightly increase in volume and hurt.

Only a doctor can help a patient with such a symptom. Before prescribing therapy, you need to undergo an examination, which includes ultrasound diagnostics, hormonal studies, and sometimes mammography. If it is detected that has all the symptoms described above, treatment is prescribed.

Psycho-emotional imbalance

The main symptoms before menstruation (PMS): fatigue, irritability, frequent mood swings. They can be classified as psycho-emotional manifestations. More often, such signs occur in women who are engaged in mental work, whose work requires concentration. There is also a high risk of psycho-emotional imbalance with general fatigue and weakness. A woman's mood can change every minute. How can you help?

To begin with, all family members need to be patient. In just a few days, all the tension will go away. The woman herself needs to rest and walk more. Receive positive emotions from your favorite activities, don’t stress yourself out. As a last resort, you can take safe sedatives - motherwort and valerian. To prescribe more serious antidepressants, consult your doctor.

Increased appetite

Before menstruation and several days after it begins, a woman feels an increase in appetite. Note that this does not happen for all representatives of the fairer sex. Others, on the contrary, refuse food during this period. But if your appetite increases and you want chocolate and hearty food, then don’t deny yourself. But you shouldn’t lean on fatty, fried, salty foods. Know your limits. These foods increase other PMS symptoms. A small bar of good dark chocolate will not only not harm you, but will also improve your mood.

Indigestion can also be considered a symptom of premenstrual syndrome. Increasing progesterone levels has a relaxing effect on the intestines. As a result, the woman experiences constipation. There are members of the fairer sex who report diarrhea during PMS. This phenomenon is possible. It is usually a consequence of a nutritional disorder.

Discharge from the genital tract

What other symptoms and signs are there before menstruation? PMS can include discharge from the genital tract. Normally they are creamy, white or clear. The mucus is odorless and does not bother the woman.

The manifestation of premenstrual syndrome can be characterized by brown discharge. In most cases, this is a symptom of endometriosis or inflammation. If a woman detects mucus with white streaks, this indicates cervicitis or cervical erosion. A gynecologist treats these diseases and diagnoses them.

Signs of PMS that are often mistaken for pregnancy

Premenstrual syndrome is often confused with It usually occurs in women planning to conceive. Indeed, some signs are very similar. So, signs of PMS before your period or pregnancy? Let's figure it out.

• Increased appetite. During pregnancy, women's taste preferences change, just as before menstruation. If nausea and vomiting additionally appear, then most likely it is toxicosis of pregnancy.
• Weight gain. During pregnancy, the uterus grows and the woman's weight increases. Weight gain also occurs before menstruation. However, it is associated with fluid retention in the body. If you notice swelling (especially in the morning), then wait for your period.
• Dizziness and headache. Before and during menstruation, some women's hemoglobin levels drop. Anemia causes dizziness and general malaise. The same symptoms are present in pregnant women: weakness, fainting, drowsiness.

A test will help you reliably distinguish PMS from pregnancy. However, many manufacturers recommend testing only after a delay. If bleeding does not start on the appointed day, and all the described signs persist, then pregnancy is possible.

Correction: assistance

If you are very worried about the symptoms of PMS, then this condition definitely needs to be corrected. You can see a doctor and get prescribed medication. There are also some tips for how to help yourself and improve your well-being?

Use of medications

To correct PMS symptoms, gynecologists prescribe progesterone-based medications. These medications are used in the second phase of the cycle. These include Duphaston, Utrozhestan, Prajisan and others. If you are not planning a pregnancy in the near future, oral contraceptives may be prescribed. They relieve PMS symptoms, improving overall well-being and regulating hormonal levels. These are the drugs “Logest”, “Diane”, “Janine” and so on. All hormonal medications are taken strictly after examination and consultation with a doctor.

Additional ways to combat PMS: how to help yourself?

To alleviate PMS symptoms, follow these recommendations:

• sleep at least 7-9 hours a day;
• play sports or do five-minute gymnastics;
• eat right (increase fiber and limit fat);
• have regular sex life;
• take vitamin complexes rich in iron and substances that stimulate the formation of blood cells;
• Get examined by a doctor and treat existing pathologies in a timely manner.

Finally

You have become aware of the symptoms. Signs and treatment are presented to your attention. If premenstrual syndrome greatly spoils your life, knocking you out of your usual rhythm, then you should definitely consult a gynecologist. You will be prescribed suitable treatment according to your complaints. Self-administration of hormonal drugs is prohibited. With such therapy you can only harm yourself and aggravate the course of PMS. Many women report that after the birth of their child, all signs of PMS disappeared. For others, on the contrary, this process caused an intensification of the described symptoms in the future. Take care of yourself and be healthy!