PMS

Women Dealing With PMS Symptoms
Premenstrual syndrome is a painful fact of life for many women. Commonly known as PMS, premenstrual syndrome is a term used to describe the symptoms females experience one to two weeks before their period approaches.

PMS isn’t a one-size fits all phenomenon. PMS can impact the lives of women in many different ways. Some women experience only mild to moderate PMS symptoms while others feel like staying in bed for a couple of days, a month, or even longer!

PMS symptoms typically end once the period begins, and go away for good during pregnancy and after menopause. Otherwise, PMS is an unpleasant reality women of all ages have to deal with each and every month.

The Cause of PMS
Physicians can’t point to any single cause for PMS. It’s more likely that several factors work together to cause these uncomfortable symptoms, and it’s clear that hormonal changes are a key issue. Women who have more severe PMS symptoms may have wider hormone swings than others. Ageology physicians recommend women with PMS have their hormones checked with saliva testing.

At the same time, brain chemistry may play a role. Stress and emotional disturbances like anxiety and depression aren’t a root cause of PMS, but PMS exacerbate a woman's state. There are several other potential reasons for PMS, all of which can combine with fluctuating hormone levels to make symptoms more severe. Reasons may include:

• Progesterone deficiency
• Vitamin and mineral deficiency
• Too much salt in the diet
• Too much alcohol consumption
• Too much caffeine

Identifying PMS Symptoms
PMS comes with a broad range of symptoms. Some women may experience many of these symptoms at the same time. The symptoms can affect a woman’s body and emotions, and can include:

• Acne breakouts
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Swollen or tender breasts
• Headache
• Upset stomach
• Bloating
• Backache
• Constipation/diarrhea
• Joint or muscle pain
• Anxiety or depression
• Appetite changes/food cravings
• Mood swings
• Heavy painful periods

Treating PMS Symptoms
Treating PMS symptoms includes a holistic approach. Ageology physicians always explore lifestyle issues before prescribing any PMS treatments. For example, studies show that exercise and nutritional support can be effective in reducing PMS symptoms in many women.

When that is not enough to alleviate severe PMS symptoms, Ageology's Chicago-based physicians can prescribe bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to optimize progesterone levels. These bioidentical hormone treatments can also reduce the intensity of menstrual cramps and otherwise optimize a woman’s hormones so she feels better all month.

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