women s health issues
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Introduction
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)is a group of physical and psychologic symptoms that start several days before a menstrual period begins and usually end a few hours after the first day of a period.Premenstrual dysphoric disorderis a form of PMS in which symptoms are so severe that they interfere with work, social activities, or relationships. PMS includes any combination of the following: becoming irritable, anxious, moody, or depressed or having headaches or sore, swollen breasts. Doctors base the diagnosis on symptoms, which a woman is usually asked to record daily. Consuming less sugar, salt, andcaffeineand exercising may help relieve symptoms, as does taking pain relievers, birth control pills (sometimes), antidepressants, or certain nutritional supplements. Because so many symptoms, such as a bad mood, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness, have been ascribed to PMS, defining and identifying PMS can be difficult. About 20 to 50% of women of childbearing age have PMS. About 5% have a severe form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder. 