Premenstrual
Stress Syndrome
Premenstrual
syndrome, or PMS is the name given to the cyclic
occurrence of distressing symptoms experienced by many
women in their reproductive years. The symptoms usually
appear 1 to 2 weeks prior to menses but diminish
significantly or disappear completely within 5 to 7 days
after the start of menstruation.
Up
to 150 different symptoms has been reported. The most
common symptoms associated with PMS are approximately as
follows: 80% experience irritability, anxiety, abdominal
cramps; 60% report cravings for sweets and binge eating;
40% report bloating, weight gain and fluid retention;
5-20% describe depression. Mood swings, breast tenderness
fatigue, headaches, insomnia, dizziness or fainting,
crying alternating constipation and diarrhea, allergic
complaints and skin irritations are also cited.
The
cause of PMS some experts believe results from an
imbalance between specific feminine hormones. That
imbalance and its possible effects are as follows:
Excess Deficient
Estrogen Progesterone
Prolactin
Prostaglandins
Nutrition
in treatment of PMS is essential. Unbalanced nutrition
plays a role in PMS development. To ensure proper
nutritional recommendations we look at each patient
individually.
PMS Self
Test
Read
the list of symptoms in the box below. Choose (1) (2) or
(3) depending on which number best describes you. Mark (0)
if it does not pertain to you at all.
0
= I don’t get these symptoms at all.
1=
I have this symptom mildly. Its present in my life but it
doesn’t interfere with my daily activities.
2
= I have this symptom moderately. I experience moderate
discomfort, and I know its harder to do my daily
activities but Im still able to perform them.
3
= I have this symptom severely. I feel almost as though I
can’t perform some or all of my activities normally. I
feel my whole life is altered severly by discomfort or
emotional changes.
|
Irritability
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Anxiety
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Fatigue
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Headaches
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Confusion
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Anger
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Stress
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Restfulness
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Tenseness
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Depression
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Moodiness
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Clumsiness
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Back
Pain
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Sadness
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Guilt
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Hopelessness
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Apathy
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Overwhelmed
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Loneliness
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Nausea
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Forgetfulness
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Insomnia
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Changes
in bowel movements
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Difficulty
in concentration
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Uncertainty
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Violent
tendencies
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Cravings
for sweets
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Binge
eating
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Weight
gain
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Low
self esteem
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Breast
tenderness
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Lumps
in breast
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Swelling
of extremities
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Abdominal
bloating
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Dizziness/fainting
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Out
of body feelings
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Feeling
of being a different person
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Feeling
uncomfortable in my body
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
Add
up your numbers. If your total score is 20 points or
higher you maybe suffering from PMS.
If
you are interested in more information about PMS and a
consultation with us call 703.288.1702.
