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MoreUntil a few decades ago, this part of human psychology was pretty much undiscovered. Many false theories were floating around the medical community. Nobody could exactly pinpoint the causes and explanations of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS has only recently been given the attention it deserves. Now we are armed with a plethora of medical knowledge about the subject so we know what to expect. PMS affects somewhere between 80-90% of women. Not all women experience the symptoms at the same intensity. It is especially hard to deal with the psychological side of the problem. Premenstrual syndrome is due to a hormonal imbalance that occurs five to ten days before the period. There are a whole plethora of symptoms that you might face on a daily basis, around 200 have been associated with PMS by different women. It’s not easy to go through all that, so knowledge can be the best weapon.
Fatigue
Your body is preparing to shed the lining of the uterus. Thus, it will need all the strength it can muster to go through the process. For some women, their energy levels plummet around this time and both mental and physical challenges may seem difficult. This is no reason to worry. During this period, be sure to relieve yourself from all unnecessarily tiring activities. If you need to be active, eat some nuts or simple carbs. That should give you more than enough energy.
Moodiness
This is perhaps the most pronounced PMS symptom of all. It occurs due to a severe hormonal imbalance in your body. Estrogen levels rise and you may find it difficult to keep your emotions at bay. In some cases, this change can be barely noticeable. A small number of women experiences this syndrome in a more severe way. For some, mood changes mean a period of depression or anxiety.
Breast enlargement
Your breasts can become enlarged and swollen during PMS. Some women barely notice a change, while others change bra sizes. This occurrence happens due to an excessive amount of estrogen in your body. There are several studies that connect breast enlargement rates to genetics. Basically, if your mother or grandmother experienced it, you will too.
Breast tenderness
As it is with enlargement, tenderness can vary when it comes to severity. Many women can squeeze their breasts and feel nothing. Other may have problems with wearing a bra. When progesterone builds up in the body, the entire breast is more sensitive. When dealing with these symptoms, it’s important to know that it will pass. Painkillers can help during the worst of it. If the tenderness gets too severe, contact your doctor for advice.
Acne
During the premenstrual period, you may be dealing with acne. The culprit, in this case, are clogged pores in your facial area. Changes in your hormonal state make the skin excrete more natural oil (sebum). This, in turn, makes the skin greasier and prone to various forms of acne. Remember that touching the affected area will only make it worse. Instead of trying to pop them, try some natural remedies. Steaming with a hot towel or warm bath opens up the pores and allows the skin to breathe.
Food cravings
Both before and during your period, you may experience increased food cravings. Women require more calories during their period than they do during the rest of their cycle. It is recommended that women consume around 500 extra calories during this time to avoid low energy levels and symptoms associated with a lack of energy. Fatty and sweet foods fit the bill perfectly. They are the best at increasing serotonin levels and your body wants them.
Depression
Like we’ve said, estrogen and progesterone affect the balance of other hormones in the body. One of those hormones is serotonin. It is tasked with regulating our emotions. A lack of it causes a significant drop in the mood department. All your thoughts tend to focus on the negative side of things. If you want to battle this lack of serotonin, make sure to eat a lot of protein. You can basically reverse the mood-altering effects by countering the hormonal imbalance. The best way to do this is through quality protein sources. Eggs, nuts and various kinds of fish fit the bill perfectly.
Abdominal cramps
Your period signifies the shedding of the internal layer of the uterus. A few days before the actual period begins, the uterus prepares for the shedding. This may result in abdominal cramps, due to the muscles being near the wall of the uterus. To combat this symptom, you should massage your stomach and relax when the cramps take place. They usually go away after no longer than 30 minutes.
Migraines
Before your period, you may experience an alteration of your estrogen levels. This may result in your brain having a hard time to comprehend the sudden change. As a consequence, you might find yourself suffering from migraines. Don’t worry, they are easily treatable and you won’t have to suffer for long. Basically, any conventional headache therapy will work perfectly to make the migraines disappear. Pain medicines alongside fruit will be the perfect solution to your headache problem. Drinking a lot of water is another solution to the existing conundrum.
Bloating
This is also one of the most prominent PMS symptoms. There isn’t an exact cause of this, but the main suspects are always hormones. Also, the vicinity of the uterus has a lot to do with this particular symptom. To solve it, be sure that your calcium and magnesium intake is right around the daily recommended intake. These two minerals are decreased bloating symptoms and alleviate any stomach pain.
