Condition before PMS. Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with folk remedies

Doctors have long puzzled over the causes of female malaise before menstruation. Some healers associated it with the phases of the moon, others with the area in which the woman lived.

The girl’s condition before her period remained a mystery for a long time. Only in the twentieth century the veil of secrecy was lifted a little.

PMS is a mix of 150 different physical and mental symptoms. To one degree or another, about 75% of women experience manifestations of premenstrual syndrome.

How long does PMS last for girls? Unpleasant symptoms begin to appear 2-10 days before the start of menstruation, and disappear with the appearance of the “red” days of the calendar.

• Crime chronicle. PMS is not only frayed nerves and broken plates. Most road accidents, crimes, and thefts committed by women occurred between the 21st and 28th days of the menstrual cycle.
• Shopping therapy. According to research, a few days before their period, women are most susceptible to the temptation to buy as much as possible.
• Women engaged in mental work and residents of large cities are more susceptible to symptoms of PMS.
• The term PMS was first used by Robert Frank, an obstetrician-gynecologist from England.

Why does premenstrual syndrome occur?

Numerous studies have not been able to identify the exact causes of premenstrual syndrome. There are many theories of its occurrence: “water intoxication” (impaired water-salt metabolism), allergic nature (increased sensitivity to endogenous substances), psychosomatic, hormonal, etc.

But the most complete is the hormonal theory, which explains the symptoms of PMS by fluctuations in the level of sex hormones in the 2nd phase of the menstrual cycle. For the normal, harmonious functioning of a woman’s body, the balance of sex hormones is very important:

• - they improve physical and mental well-being, increase tone, creativity, speed of assimilation of information, learning abilities
• progesterone - has a sedative effect, which can lead to depressive symptoms in phase 2 of the cycle
• androgens - affect libido, increase energy, performance

During the second phase of the menstrual cycle, a woman's hormonal background changes. According to this theory, the cause of PMS lies in the “inadequate” reaction of the body, including the parts of the brain responsible for behavior and emotions, to cyclical changes in hormonal levels, which is often inherited.

Since the days before menstruation are endocrine unstable, many women experience psycho-vegetative and somatic disorders. In this case, the decisive role is played not so much by the level of hormones (which may be normal), but by fluctuations in the content of sex hormones during the menstrual cycle and how the limbic parts of the brain, responsible for behavior and emotions, react to these changes:

• an increase in estrogen and first an increase and then a decrease in progesterone- hence fluid retention, swelling, engorgement and tenderness of the mammary glands, cardiovascular disorders, irritability, aggression, tearfulness
• hypersecretion - also leads to fluid and sodium retention in the body
• excess prostaglandins— , digestive disorders, migraine-like headaches

The most likely factors influencing the development of the syndrome, about which medical opinions do not differ:

• Decreased serotonin levels- this is the so-called “hormone of joy”, can be the cause of the development of mental signs of premenstrual syndrome, since a decrease in its level causes sadness, tearfulness, melancholy and depression.
• Vitamin B6 deficiency— a lack of this vitamin is indicated by symptoms such as fatigue, fluid retention in the body, mood swings, and breast hypersensitivity.
• Lack of magnesium - magnesium deficiency can cause dizziness, headaches, cravings for chocolate.
• Smoking. Women who smoke are twice as likely to experience premenstrual syndrome.
• Overweight . Women with a body mass index of over 30 are three times more likely to suffer from PMS symptoms.
• Genetic factor— it is possible that the peculiarities of premenstrual syndrome are inherited.
• , complicated childbirth, stress, surgical interventions, infections, gynecological pathologies.

Main symptoms and manifestations of premenstrual syndrome

Groups of symptoms for PMS:

• Neuropsychiatric disorders: aggression, depression, irritability, tearfulness.
• Vegetovascular disorders: changes in blood pressure, headache, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, tachycardia,.
• Exchange-endocrine disorders: swelling, increased body temperature, chills, engorgement of the mammary glands, itching, flatulence, shortness of breath, thirst, memory loss, .

PMS in women can be divided into several forms, but their symptoms usually do not appear in isolation, but are combined. In the presence of psychovegetative manifestations, especially depression, women’s pain threshold decreases and they perceive pain more acutely.

Neuropsychiatric	Crisis form	Atypical manifestations of PMS
Disturbances in the nervous and emotional spheres: anxiety disorders feeling of unreasonable melancholy depression feeling of fear depression impaired concentration forgetfulness insomnia (see) irritability mood swings decreased or significant increase in libido aggression	attacks of tachycardia blood pressure surges heartache attacks of frequent urination panic attacks Most women have diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract.	low-grade fever (up to 37.7°C) increased drowsiness bouts of vomiting allergic reactions (ulcerative gingivitis and stomatitis, etc.)
	Edema form	Cephalgic form
	swelling of the face and limbs thirst weight gain itchy skin decreased urine output digestive disorders (constipation, diarrhea, flatulence) headache joint pain Negative diuresis with fluid retention is noted.	The leading ones are mainly neurological and vegetative-vascular manifestations: migraine, throbbing pain, radiating to the eye area cardialgia (pain in the heart area) vomiting, nausea tachycardia increased sensitivity to smells, sounds in 75% of women, radiography of the skull shows hyperostosis, increased vascular pattern The family history of women with this form is burdened with hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases.

PMS occurs differently in every woman, and symptoms vary significantly. According to the results of some studies, women with PMS have the following frequency of manifestation of one or another symptom of PMS:

Symptom	frequency %	Hormonal theory of PMS
irritability	94
breast tenderness	87
bloating	75
tearfulness	69
depression sensitivity to odors headache	56
swelling weakness sweating	50
heartbeat aggressiveness	44
dizziness pain in the lower abdomen nausea	37
increase in pressure diarrhea weight gain	19
vomit	12
constipation	6
pain in the spine	3

Premenstrual syndrome can aggravate other diseases:

• Anemia (see)
• (cm. )
• Thyroid diseases
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Bronchial asthma
• Allergic reactions
• Inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs

Diagnostics: what can masquerade as symptoms of PMS?

Since dates and deadlines are easily forgotten, to make your task easier, you should keep a calendar or diary where you write down the start and end dates of menstruation, ovulation (basal temperature), weight, and symptoms that bother you. Keeping such a diary for 2-3 cycles will greatly simplify diagnosis and allow you to track the frequency of PMS symptoms.

The severity of premenstrual syndrome is determined by the number, duration and intensity of symptoms:

• Mild form: 3-4 symptoms or 1-2 if they are significantly pronounced
• Severe form: 5-12 symptoms or 2-5, but very pronounced, and regardless of the duration and their number, if they lead to disability (usually the neuropsychiatric form)

The main feature that distinguishes premenstrual syndrome from other diseases or conditions is cyclicality. That is, deterioration in well-being occurs several days before menstruation (from 2 to 10) and completely disappears with their arrival. However, unlike psycho-vegetative ones, physical discomfort in the first days of the next cycle can intensify and smoothly transform into disorders such as menstrual migraine.

• If a woman feels relatively well in phase 1 of the cycle, then this is premenstrual syndrome, and not a chronic disease - neurosis, depression,
• If pain appears only immediately before and during menstruation, especially when combined with - this is most likely not PMS, but other gynecological diseases - chronic endometritis, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and others.

To establish the form of the syndrome, studies of hormones are carried out: prolactin, estradiol and progesterone. The doctor may also prescribe additional diagnostic methods, depending on the prevailing complaints:

• For severe headaches, dizziness, decreased vision and fainting, a computed tomography or MRI scan is prescribed to rule out organic brain diseases.
• If there is an abundance of neuropsychiatric diseases, an EEG is indicated to exclude epileptic syndrome.
• In case of severe edema, changes in the daily amount of urine (diuresis), tests are performed to diagnose the kidneys (see).
• In case of severe and painful engorgement of the mammary glands, it is necessary to perform an ultrasound of the mammary glands and mammography to exclude organic pathology.

Not only a gynecologist examines women suffering from PMS, but also involves psychiatrists, neurologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, cardiologists and therapists.

Premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy?

Some symptoms of PMS are similar to those of pregnancy (see). After conception, the content of the hormone progesterone increases in a woman’s body, which also occurs during PMS, so the following symptoms are identical:

• fast fatiguability
• breast swelling and tenderness
• nausea, vomiting
• irritability, mood swings
• lower back pain

How to distinguish pregnancy from PMS? Comparison of the most common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy:

Symptoms	Pregnancy	Premenstrual syndrome
Breast tenderness	accompanies the entire pregnancy	with the onset of menstruation the pain goes away
Appetite	the attitude towards food changes, you want inedible, salty, beer, things that a woman usually doesn’t like, the sense of smell is greatly heightened, ordinary smells can be very irritating	may crave sweet and salty foods, sensitivity to smells
Back pain	only in later stages	May have lower back pain
Increased fatigue	starts 4-5 weeks after conception	can appear either immediately after ovulation or 2-5 days before menstruation
	mild, short-lived pain	individually in each case
Emotional condition	frequent mood swings, tearfulness	irritability
Frequent urination	Maybe	No
Toxicosis	from 4-5 weeks after conception	possible nausea, vomiting

The signs of both conditions are very similar, so it is not easy to understand what exactly is happening in a woman’s body and distinguish pregnancy from PMS:

• The easiest way to find out what causes poor health is to wait until your period starts.
• If the calendar is already late, you should take a pregnancy test. A pharmacy test will give reliable results only if menstruation is delayed. It is sensitive to the pregnancy hormone (hCG) excreted in the urine. If you don’t have the patience and nerves to wait, you can take a blood test for hCG. It shows almost one hundred percent results on the tenth day after conception.
• The best option to find out what is bothering you - PMS syndrome or pregnancy - is to visit a gynecologist. The doctor will assess the condition of the uterus and, if pregnancy is suspected, prescribe an ultrasound.

When to see a doctor

If the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome significantly reduce the quality of life, affect the ability to work and are of a pronounced nature, treatment cannot be avoided. After a thorough examination, the doctor will prescribe drug therapy and give the necessary recommendations to alleviate the syndrome.

How can a doctor help?

In most cases, treatment is symptomatic. Depending on the form, course and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, a woman needs:

• Psychotherapy - mood swings, irritability, depression, from which both the woman and her loved ones suffer, are corrected using stabilizing behavioral techniques and psycho-emotional relaxation.
• For headaches, lower back and abdominal pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for temporary pain relief (Nimesulide, Ketanov, see).
• Diuretics for removing excess fluid from the body during edema (see).
• Hormonal therapy is prescribed for insufficiency of the second phase of the cycle, only after functional diagnostic tests, based on the results of identified changes. Progestogens are used - Medroxyprogesterone acetate from 16 to 25 days of the cycle.
• prescribed for a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms (insomnia, nervousness, aggressiveness, anxiety, panic attacks, depression): Amitriptyline, Rudotel, Tazepam, Sonapax, Sertraline, Zoloft, Prozac, etc. in phase 2 of the cycle after 2 days from the onset of symptoms.
• In crisis and cephalgic forms, it is possible to prescribe Parlodel in phase 2 of the cycle, or if prolactin is elevated, then in a continuous mode, it has a normalizing effect on the central nervous system.
• For cephalgic and edematous forms, antiprostaglandin drugs (Indomethacin, Naprosyn) are recommended in the second phase of the menstrual cycle.
• Since women often have elevated levels of histamine and serotonin during PMS, the doctor may prescribe 2nd generation antihistamines (see) 2 days before the expected worsening of the condition at night before the 2nd day of menstruation.
• To improve blood circulation in the central nervous system, it is possible to use Grandaxin, Nootropil, Aminolon for 2-3 weeks.
• In case of crisis, cephalgic and neuropsychic forms, drugs that normalize neurotransmitter metabolism in the central nervous system are indicated - Peritol, Difenin, the doctor prescribes the drug for a period of 3-6 months.
• Homeopathic medicines Remens or Mastodinon.

What can you do?

• Full sleep

Try to sleep as long as your body has time to fully rest, usually 8-10 hours (see. Lack of sleep leads to irritability, anxiety and aggression, and negatively affects the functioning of the immune system. If you suffer from insomnia, try walking before bed, breathing technology.

• Aromatherapy

In the absence of allergies, compositions of specially selected aromatic oils are a good weapon against PMS symptoms. Geranium and rose will help normalize the cycle. Lavender and basil effectively fight spasms. Juniper and bergamot improve mood. Start taking baths with aromatic oils two weeks before your period.

Hiking, running, Pilates, bodyflex, yoga, dancing are an excellent way to treat the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome in women. Regular exercise increases endorphin levels, which helps combat depression and insomnia, and also reduces the severity of physical symptoms.

• Two weeks before your period, take vitamin B6 and magnesium

Magne B6, Magnerot, as well as vitamins E and A - this will make it much more effective to combat such manifestations of PMS as: rapid heartbeat, heart pain, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and irritability.

• Nutrition

Eat more fruits and vegetables, foods high in fiber, and also include calcium-rich foods in your diet. Temporarily limit the consumption of coffee, chocolate, cola, as caffeine increases mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. The daily diet should include 10% fat, 15% protein and 75% carbohydrates. Fat intake should be reduced, and beef consumption, some types of which contain artificial estrogens, should also be limited. Herbal teas and freshly squeezed juices, especially carrot and lemon, are beneficial. It is better not to drink alcohol; it depletes reserves of mineral salts and B vitamins, disrupts carbohydrate metabolism, and reduces the liver’s ability to utilize hormones.

• Relaxation practices

Avoid stress, try not to overwork and maintain a positive mood and thinking; relaxation practices - yoga, meditation - help with this.

• Regular sex

This helps fight insomnia, stress and bad mood, increases endorphin levels, and strengthens the immune system. At this time, many women's sexual appetite increases - why not surprise your partner and try something new?

• Medicinal plants

They can also help relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome: Vitex - relieves heaviness and pain in the mammary glands, Primrose (evening primrose) - for headaches and swelling, is an excellent antidepressant, normalizes libido, improves well-being and reduces fatigue.

A balanced diet, adequate physical activity, vitamin supplements, healthy sleep, regular sex, and a positive attitude towards life will help alleviate the psychological and physical manifestations of premenstrual syndrome.

When does PMS begin? This question can often be heard from women. PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome - this is the emotional and physiological instability of the female body, which provokes conflict with itself and others. To prevent this condition? Every woman needs to know the main rules of behavior and the characteristics of her body before the approach of menstruation.

The abbreviation PMS entered the lexicon of medical terms of gynecologists not so long ago. This syndrome is characterized by changes in the psychological state and physiological functioning of the body of girls and women before the onset of their next period.

• displays of behavior uncharacteristic for a woman;
• tendency to start a conflict out of nowhere;
• headache;
• causeless tantrums;
• tearfulness;
• fatigue, etc.

According to statistics, about 90% of all women in the world are susceptible to developing PMS of varying strength. There are almost 150 different symptoms of this condition.

Symptoms

Premenstrual syndrome manifests itself in a large number. In some they manifest themselves particularly strongly, in others less intensely. Symptoms may not stop for several days, generally dragging on for even 10 days. They are classified into physiological and psychological.

Psychological ones include:

• depressive states;
• feeling depressed;
• stress;
• nervousness;
• unreasonable aggression and irritability over trifles;
• frequent mood changes.

Psychological signs are usually very pronounced and begin to gradually develop in the second half of the cycle. As a rule, the strength of such symptoms corresponds to the functioning of the nervous system and hormones.

Physiological ones include:

• nausea with vomiting;
• changes in blood pressure;
• aching heart pain or tingling;
• swelling;
• breast enlargement;
• the temperature rises - this happens very rarely;
• weight gain.

Physiological symptoms directly depend on a woman’s hormonal balance and her lifestyle.

Causes

In the 30s of the 20th century, gynecologist Robert Frank first defined the disease, which manifests itself with varying strength in all women before the onset of menstruation. He called it “premenstrual tension.”

At the same time, the doctor considered the imbalance of hormones in the body before menstruation to be the main cause of the ailments. Medical scientists are still trying to clarify the reasons for such changes in the body. Indeed, during this period, balanced women become truly hysterical, conflictual and emotional individuals.

Several theories of the development of PMS have been identified, but all of them cannot fully describe the causes of health problems before the onset of menstruation:

Hormonal disbalance

On specific days of the cycle - usually in the last 2 weeks - women experience a disruption in the balance of hormones between estrogen and progesterone. This causes psycho-emotional disorders, deviations in the functioning of the vegetative-vascular system, and problems with metabolic and endocrine processes.

An increase in the concentration of the hormone estrogen provokes a retention of sodium and water in the cells - in connection with this, swelling appears, abnormalities in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, as well as excretory organs, and a stomach ache.

Nervousness, tearfulness and fatigue are triggered precisely by hormonal imbalances.

Water intoxication

In accordance with this theory, the development of physiological and psychological abnormalities is associated with disturbances in water-salt balance. Delayed fluid excretion, swelling, acute perception of certain odors, itching of the skin are the consequences of neuroendocrine disorders.

The accumulation of water in the body before menstruation often causes excess weight gain. A woman’s weight usually increases by 3–5 kg, but from the day her period begins, these kilograms go away on their own.

Disorders of the central nervous system

This theory of the causes of PMS is considered the most relevant. It turns out that a disruption in the emotional and physical state is triggered by functional disorders of the central nervous system.

The older a woman is, the more pronounced the symptoms of PMS appear, and the tendency to depression increases. Young girls become aggressive and irritable, and they are characterized by frequent changes in mood and behavior.

Scientists have carefully studied the risk factors associated with PMS. The most common of them that affect the intensity of PMS manifestations include:

• Caucasian race;
• mental work and living in big cities;
• frequent pregnancies;
• absence of pregnancy, abortions and miscarriages;
• pathologies of the genitourinary system;
• gynecological operations;
• long-term thrush of the genital organs;
• prolonged depression and constant stress;
• chronic fatigue;
• infections;
• side effects of contraceptives;
• malnutrition;
• physical inactivity.

When PMS begins depends on the physiological processes in the woman’s body. Every day of the cycle, a woman’s body undergoes some changes in the genital organs. In the first half, the process of egg maturation lasts 14–16 days. Midway through the cycle, the egg leaves the follicle. In the remaining days before menstruation, the body prepares conditions for pregnancy, if it occurs, or begins to reject excess if it does not occur.

When the cycle begins, the woman feels good - but from the moment the egg is released - ovulation - negative changes begin. It turns out that PMS begins on average 1 - 2 weeks before menstruation. Sometimes a premenstrual symptom immediately follows ovulation.

How many days before menstruation

The psycho-emotional and physical condition begins to deteriorate somewhere between 2 and 10 days before menstruation. This time is individual for each woman and depends on the characteristics of her body, living conditions, temperament and state of health.

How long does it last

The main cause of PMS is a hormone imbalance. PMS becomes more severe after gynecological operations.

Feelings of discomfort, pain and other pathological changes begin to occur 1 to 10 days before menstruation. The condition lasts until the onset of menstruation. On her first day, the symptoms gradually disappear. If signs of PMS persist, you should visit a gynecologist for consultation.

How to relieve the condition

If PMS in a girl or woman is painful and lasts a long time, it requires medical correction to alleviate the condition and.

In order to normalize emotions, sedatives with natural ingredients are prescribed - for example, Novopassit.

To restore hormonal balance, hormonal drugs are prescribed - or Utrozhestan. Diclofenac is used to relieve pain.

Video about premenstrual syndrome

PMS: forms and signs. How to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome?

The established idea of ​​the fragility of the female body is justified: unlike men, representatives of the fairer sex actually have a more complex physiological organization, which is necessary to perform the reproductive function. An illustration of this is premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a condition that can undermine the physical and mental well-being of even the most balanced and healthy young lady. In this article, we will analyze the common prejudices associated with this condition and find out how to alleviate PMS.

Truths and myths about PMS

There are many stereotypes associated with premenstrual syndrome - this is explained by the fact that to date, scientists have not yet fully elucidated the mechanisms of occurrence of this phenomenon. In addition, the wide spread of PMS among women was publicly discussed relatively recently (previously, everything related to the menstrual cycle was a kind of taboo in society). It is not surprising that representatives of the fairer sex, who are lucky enough to never experience symptoms of discomfort before menstruation, as well as some men, consider this problem to be far-fetched. According to some sociologists, PMS is a cultural phenomenon: having learned about the existence of this syndrome, women begin to look for signs of psychological instability within the designated period, and every month on these days they explain the reasons for their bad mood with premenstrual disorder.

Nevertheless, most experts are inclined to believe that premenstrual syndrome is a complex physiological process that can be characterized by endocrine, psycho-emotional and vegetative-vascular disorders.

According to statistics, manifestations of PMS are observed in half of women of reproductive age, of which in approximately 5–10% the symptoms are so severe that they cause loss of ability to work. It is no coincidence that this condition is included in the international classification of diseases of the World Health Organization: in other words, diagnosed premenstrual syndrome is a justified reason for obtaining sick leave.

As a rule, the duration of PMS ranges from two days to a week, and with age, this indicator, as well as the severity of symptoms, tend to increase.

What is the reason for this phenomenon? A few days before the end of the menstrual cycle, the concentration of sex hormones in a woman’s blood decreases noticeably: the body understands that pregnancy has not occurred and is preparing to renew the inner layer of the uterus and the next round of preparation for conception. At the same time, according to one of the theories of the development of PMS, short-term changes in hormonal levels, which also affect the synthesis of biologically active substances in the central nervous system, lead to characteristic symptoms - fluid retention in the body, headaches, hardening of the mammary glands and sudden changes in mood. At the same time, as a woman ages - and, as a consequence, with an increase in the number of chronic diseases and pathologies of the reproductive system - the manifestations of PMS intensify.

Scientists believe that the reason premenstrual syndrome has proven to be an evolutionary advantage is that the condition (often accompanied by irritability and aggressiveness) increases the likelihood of separation from an infertile partner.

How to determine the presence of premenstrual syndrome

How to understand what is the reason for your poor health on the eve of your period? Doctors advise every woman, regardless of the presence or absence of signs of PMS, to keep a short diary, reflecting any changes in well-being throughout the entire menstrual cycle. For these purposes, you can use one of the many mobile applications. If you notice that a certain “set” of symptoms repeats in a similar way from month to month in the last days before physiological uterine bleeding, this can most likely be attributed to premenstrual syndrome.

There are four forms of PMS, combining similar types of manifestations:

• At neuropsychic form disturbances in the emotional sphere come to the fore: a woman becomes whiny, apathetic, irritable, even slight physical fatigue or unpleasant news can unsettle her, which on other days would cause only a momentary upset.
• Cephalgic form PMS is characterized by migraine, leading to a feeling of nausea. The pain may radiate to the eye area, accompanied by sweating, weakness, and numbness of the fingers. Some women use these signs to guess that menstruation is approaching.
• Edema form manifested by fluid retention in the body: a few days before menstruation, a woman notices that her face is swollen or heaviness in the mammary glands. Swelling may also appear on the legs in the afternoon. At the same time, a woman may feel a craving for salty foods, which indicates a violation of water-salt metabolism in the body.
• At crisis form PMS, which is initially more often observed in women who have a tendency to jumps in blood pressure, the syndrome reveals itself as hypertension in the evenings: the numbers on the tonometer exceed the norm, the pulse quickens and there is a feeling of lack of air.

Often, premenstrual syndrome manifests itself in a mixed form: headache and swelling are combined with irritability, and a general feeling of weakness and weakness is combined with pressure changes. In severe cases, PMS can cause a call to the emergency room, especially if a woman over 40 years of age suspects she has a hypertensive crisis, myocardial infarction or stroke. The opposite situations are also not uncommon - reassuring herself with the thought that it is just a matter of overwork and typical precursors to menstruation, the patient ignores the alarming symptoms of a serious illness.

There is nothing wrong with seeking advice from a doctor if PMS is severe. Firstly, to undergo an examination and make sure that the cause of the discomfort is precisely this phenomenon, and not a chronic disease that requires special treatment. Secondly, medicine has an arsenal of tools that can significantly alleviate premenstrual syndrome, and in some cases, even prevent its onset. At the same time, unfortunately, a universal medicine that allows you to cope with PMS once and for all has not yet been invented - but perhaps such a remedy will one day appear on pharmacy shelves.

Non-drug approaches

If PMS does not cause significant discomfort, then it will probably be possible to do without medications. Scientists noted that premenstrual discomfort is more often observed in urban women - this may be due to an unhealthy lifestyle and excessive stress, which also negatively affects hormonal levels. Therefore, the first step in solving the problem of PMS is stabilizing the emotional sphere.

• Psychological support involves individual consultations with a psychologist or classes in specialized groups aimed at combating stress. As part of the classes, you will either talk about your experiences and deal with the causes of chronic anxiety, or practice relaxation techniques: breathing exercises, art therapy, etc.
• Physiotherapy. Many women note that courses of massage or hardware procedures (for example, hydrotherapy) lead to a decrease or disappearance of PMS symptoms. This approach is especially useful for those who have other health problems - for example, osteochondrosis, consequences of previous operations, and so on.
• Lifestyle correction often allows you to improve the condition before menstruation without any auxiliary methods. Thus, proper nutrition and regular exercise help to lose weight, and healthy sleep prevents migraines even in cases where it is caused by PMS and not chronic lack of sleep. It has been proven that in women who follow a daily routine, premenstrual syndrome occurs less frequently and is milder than in others.

Hormonal therapy for PMS

Another direction in the fight against premenstrual syndrome is taking sex hormones. Such treatment is carried out exclusively under the supervision of a doctor.

The goal of hormone therapy is to eliminate the physical symptoms of PMS. The most common method is the prescription of combined oral contraceptives (COCs), which temporarily “turn off” the functions of the ovaries and take on the task of regulating the menstrual cycle. Thanks to this, the imbalance of sex hormones that causes the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome disappears. In some cases, doctors recommend taking COCs continuously - that is, without breaks for 7 days after finishing each pack of tablets.

In severe cases, when the use of COCs is impossible or ineffective, the patient can be prescribed progestin drugs (based on, for example, danazol) or drugs from the group of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (goserelin, buserelin). The effectiveness of such treatment reaches 85%, however, long-term use of such medications sometimes leads to side effects, so they are not prescribed for more than six months.

Medicines prescribed to women to relieve PMS symptoms

You can cope with PMS without hormones - especially when this condition manifests itself mainly in a neuropsychic form. Drugs from different groups, traditionally used as sedatives and normotonics (mood stabilizers), help relieve irritability and feelings of depression.

• Herbal medicines - such as “Fito Novo-sed”, “Novo-Passit”, “Deprim Forte” reduce feelings of anxiety and fear, and can also help with attacks of melancholy.
• Vitamins, homeopathy, dietary supplements : Leuzea extract, tinctures of ginseng, lemongrass, hawthorn, valerian are natural remedies that increase vitality and eliminate the feeling of depression. The drug "Mastodinon" is a homeopathic remedy developed specifically to combat PMS. Doctors also often prescribe multivitamin complexes to patients, which normalize metabolism and reduce the somatic manifestations of the syndrome.
• Over-the-counter and prescription sedatives - these are medications used for various indications that may also be effective for PMS. “Afobazol”, “Persen”, “Fito Novo-Sed” are the most popular over-the-counter drugs, which allows you to use them without consulting a doctor. If your doctor has prescribed you a drug that is sold exclusively by prescription, you should be especially careful with dosages and monitor for side effects.

Expert opinion: a specialist from the drug manufacturer talks about the use of Afobazole during PMS

“Afobazol” is a modern drug aimed at restoring the normal functioning of the nervous system and quickly eliminating manifestations of increased irritability and anxiety. The effect persists after completion of the course, which allows you to experience relief from PMS for a long time after treatment. Afobazole does not cause addiction and does not lead to withdrawal symptoms, which makes it possible to use it during those periods of life when it is really necessary. Another advantage of Afobazole is that it does not enter into drug-drug interactions. This allows it to be used as one of the means of complex drug therapy.

• Neuroleptics also called antipsychotic drugs - they are taken to relieve severe emotional disorders, psychoses, and severe dementia. In small dosages they have a sedative, anti-anxiety and hypnotic effect, but long-term use can aggravate the manifestations of PMS.

Since the symptoms of PMS are individual for each woman, it is not always wise to take the advice of friends or relatives when it comes to treating this condition - especially if they tolerate the last days of the cycle before menstruation more easily than you. Be consistent in choosing remedies against premenstrual syndrome, and if lifestyle changes and the use of over-the-counter medications do not alleviate your condition, be sure to consult a doctor.

The menstrual cycle has certain periods - during each of them the manifestation of typical symptoms is observed. The cycle begins with the formation of a follicle - on the first day when your period arrives. An egg is released from the follicle after 11-14 days - this phase is called the ovulatory phase.

From the beginning of ovulation until the start of menstruation, the luteal phase lasts - the maturation of the corpus luteum. During menstruation, the corpus luteum separates and the follicle begins to mature again.

The most striking symptoms before menstruation begin to appear in the ovulatory phase. Within a few days the following are observed:

• Sudden change of mood;
• Irritability;
• Insomnia or drowsiness;
• Craving for sweets;
• Chills.

During the release of the egg, the release of hormones is activated, which is why the psycho-emotional state of the woman is unstable. Precursors of menstruation are also expressed in increased fearfulness, light sleep and nightmares. Women during and before menstruation feel anxious; the danger is the effect of estrogens released in large quantities.

Premenstrual syndrome is not considered a deviation, but in medicine is considered a clinical phenomenon. PMS begins from the end of ovulation and lasts until the start of menstruation.

Signs of PMS before menstruation include:

• Aching, nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
• Tingling and nagging pain in the lower back;
• Increased appetite - attacks of hunger can even wake a woman late at night;
• Sensitivity, irritability;
• Temperature rise to 37°C;
• Increased fatigue, drowsiness.

Particular attention should be paid to the chest. A week before menstruation, the mammary glands become sensitive and painful. Wearing a bra brings discomfort, it becomes small. The breasts may increase in size and become painful when pressed lightly.

General symptoms

These symptoms may begin long before menstruation. Since they understand that menstruation will begin soon, mainly by discharge, first of all examine the pad.

When menstruation approaches, the discharge becomes white, sometimes brown, with a faint sour odor. They become somewhat richer than usual and have a curd-like consistency.

If white and brown discharge is abundant, itching or burning is felt - these are not signs of the onset of menstruation, but a symptom of a microflora disorder. Having noticed this, you need to immediately go to the gynecologist and take a smear for candidiasis.

Common period symptoms also include fatigue, lethargy, mild nausea and dizziness. Feelings of fear and anxiety often appear, and the emotional state is very unstable.

Since the first process after the release of the egg begins the release of hormones, the main symptoms before menstruation should be looked for in mood, feelings of hunger or satiety, and ability to work.

During the week

7-11 days before the start of her period, the girl gets tired faster than usual and complains of lack of concentration and drowsiness. Many begin to believe that no one understands them, they worry, fuss and quickly get irritated over trifles.

The approach of menstruation is noted by increased sweating, a feeling of heat that quickly turns into chills. The breasts begin to swell and the halos around the nipples become sensitive even to underwear - friction can cause tingling, goosebumps, and aching pain.

How to find out when your period starts:

• By feeling the breasts, pressing on the area of ​​the areola;
• Tracing the color and abundance of discharge;
• Watching for outbursts of irritation and fear.

Once these symptoms begin to appear, you can expect your period in 7-9 days.

For three days

In such a short period of time, the signs of approaching menstruation may become more intense and be replaced by others. This period is considered a crisis - premenstrual syndrome worsens and reaches its climax.

Some women, three days before menstruation, feel strong fear for their lives and safety, even to the point of paranoia - this is the work of hormonal levels, providing the body with complete preparation for pregnancy and protection of the fetus.

A sign of menstruation three days in advance are nightmares - women complain of light sleep and abrupt awakening in a cold sweat. A frequent accompaniment of a crisis period is migraine, especially in the morning.

How to determine that there are 3-5 days left until your period:

• Migraine, frequent increase in blood pressure;
• Increased feeling of fear, anxiety;
• Discharge of gray, white color;
• Body temperature is possible within 37-37.5 ° C.

A girl's periods are accompanied by minor rashes on her face. Most often - on the cheeks and forehead, in the same area the oiliness of the skin increases. All these symptoms occur when you have your period.

Per day

A day before her period arrives, the girl feels a nagging pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. When you stretch, you can feel pain and tingling that takes your breath away. Right before your period, your discharge becomes more abundant and darker in color than before.

In young girls, itching may begin at the site of the skin rash, and sweating also increases significantly. Girls notice heat in their cheeks and ears. Nervousness begins to fade, lethargy, fatigue, and desire for sweets become more apparent.

Beginning of menstruation

The first signs of menstruation are marked by nausea and characteristic discharge. The menstruation on the pad is brown in the first two to three hours, then red and bloody. The discharge is accompanied by abdominal pain, some report simultaneous indigestion.

A woman is immediately overcome by weakness and fatigue, even if her period starts in the morning. Appetite disappears, body temperature rises slightly. Many people note discomfort, twitching of the internal hip muscles and oblique abdominal muscles.

Determining days before menstruation

Signs before menstruation can be deceptive: due to general fatigue, lack of sleep or irregular nutrition, girls feel similar symptoms, but menstruation has just ended or does not occur.

To understand approximately what time remains before the onset of menstruation, you can use a pharmacy test. 11-14 days after your last period began, buy an ovulation test at the pharmacy. It is advisable to buy several and start monitoring from the 11th day.

By performing the test according to the instructions, you can determine which days of the cycle ovulation occurs on. From the day on which the ovulation test was positive, it is enough to count two weeks - your period should arrive during this period.

Since preparation for menstruation in a woman’s body depends on many factors, you should not worry if your period is delayed by 3-5 days. Analyze the events in your life during the last cycle. Delays in menstruation are completely justified and safe if at that time there were:

• Serious shocks, stress;
• Fasting or strict diets;
• Lack of sleep;
• A sharp change in climate (for example, a trip to a warm resort in winter and returning);
• The beginning of a new season - the turn of autumn and winter, winter and spring, etc.

How to get rid of PMS

We cannot regulate hormonal processes before menstruation on our own - they are natural and should occur. But it is possible to mitigate the symptoms that change throughout the month.

To calm and relieve irritability, you can take baths with essential oils of fir, Siberian pine or lavender. You need to add 5-6 drops to a bath of water.

Aromatherapy is useful - to fumigate a standard room of 9-15 m2 you will need 15 drops of essential oil of orange, bergamot, ylang-ylang. Sweet scents, such as vanilla, contribute to nausea and are not recommended.

If you cannot overcome the feeling of fear, obsessive thoughts do not allow you to sleep, it is better to limit yourself to unnecessary exits from the house and not to approach dangerous household appliances.

How to relieve pain syndrome

Frequent airing of the room, especially before bed, will be useful. An hour before bedtime, you can drink a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey or hot chamomile tea.

Try to relieve menstrual pain with a minimum set of medications. Instead of pills, herbal compresses applied to the lower back can help. A compress soaked in a warm decoction of chamomile is applied to the lower abdomen.

During menstruation, you should not take a bath for a long time. You can stay in the water for no more than ten minutes, since during menstruation the genitals are very vulnerable. You can add a decoction of chamomile, coltsfoot, to the bath, after lying down and relaxing for a while.

Many scientists and medical specialists have been studying the characteristics of the female body for several centuries. And only very recently it was finally possible to find out when PMS begins in females, and what its true manifestations are. Premenstrual syndrome has not been fully studied, but it is already known that when it appears, women feel unwell: fatigue, malaise appear, and excessive aggression or tearfulness may also occur.

There is no exact framework for how old PMS begins. Premenstrual syndrome is a fairly common phenomenon and is observed in 75% of women. This is a condition in which various pseudosymptoms appear that are characteristic of PMS.

It is characterized by certain psychological and physiological signs. For every woman or girl, this condition manifests itself differently and is expressed in varying degrees of intensity.

Some women do not have premenstrual syndrome at all, while in others it appears constantly. Age plays an important role here, because PMS occurs only in women who have reached puberty with a formed menstrual cycle. This condition occurs only once a month and is accompanied by characteristic symptoms that are individual for each woman.

How many days before menstruation does PMS appear?

As noted earlier, the syndrome is expressed differently in all women, therefore, how many days before menstruation it manifests itself and how long it lasts is all purely individual. As a rule, the first symptoms can be observed in a woman 2-10 days before the start of menstruation. Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, PMS symptoms can be expressed to a greater or lesser extent.

The appearance of PMS is explained by the fact that at a certain point in the menstrual cycle the level of hormones in the body changes. This affects psycho-emotional and physiological processes, which causes changes in a woman’s behavior and well-being.

Before the onset of menstruation, a few days before the onset of menstruation, the restructuring of hormones begins, which accordingly causes changes in the functioning of the body as a whole. This condition can often last two weeks, after which the hormonal levels return to normal and the woman can feel normal again.

But this is not the case for everyone - each body is individual, so often the manifestations of PMS in women may differ. Among the external and internal factors that influence the severity of symptoms, the following are of great importance:

• the presence of any diseases;
• food quality;
• Lifestyle;
• ecology.

It may happen that your period began earlier, and as a result, PMS will also appear several days earlier than expected. To identify the exact period of onset of premenstrual syndrome, you need to know your own cycle, which is especially easier for those girls whose periods occur regularly at the same interval. In the first year after the onset of menstruation, adolescents may have a fixed period for menstruation, but, as a rule, PMS is not observed during this period.

Causes of premenstrual syndrome

PMS can begin for many reasons, but, as a rule, the occurrence of the syndrome is caused by some internal factors:

• disturbances in the body's water-salt balance;
• allergic reactions;
• psychological reasons;
• physiological factors.

The main reason for the appearance of PMS is a change in hormone levels when their number increases in the second phase of the cycle. For a woman, the balance of hormonal levels is very important, since any deviations from the norm lead not only to changes in psycho-emotional terms, but also contribute to the exacerbation of certain diseases, as a result of which health may deteriorate and general malaise and weakness may appear.

Female hormones that ensure the normal and stable functioning of the entire body are presented below.

1. Estrogen is responsible for the physical and mental characteristics of the body, stabilizes muscle tone.
2. Progesterone is a steroid hormone that is necessary to prepare the body for pregnancy, but if its level increases in the 2nd phase of the cycle, a woman may experience a depressive state.
3. Androgens – increase physical and mental activity.

The beginning of the menstrual cycle can contribute to the occurrence of PMS, which is due to several reasons.

1. A decrease in the hormone serotonin becomes the main cause of mood changes, resulting in tearfulness and sadness.
2. Lack of vitamin B6 causes fatigue and mood changes.
3. Lack of magnesium – contributes to dizziness.

PMS is often transmitted genetically, which is the main reason for its appearance in a woman.

PMS symptoms

PMS in females has many manifestations. For some, they may not be particularly pronounced, while for others they may manifest themselves more intensely. Symptoms may last one day or may last up to 10 days. They are mainly divided into psychological and physiological manifestations.

Psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome:

• depression;
• depressed state;
• stress, nervousness;
• unexplained aggression;
• irritability;
• frequent mood changes.

Psychological symptoms are quite pronounced and often occur in women in the second phase of the cycle. Manifestations mainly depend on the function of the nervous system and the functioning of hormones.

Physiological symptoms:

• feeling of nausea and vomiting;
• instability of blood pressure;
• aching or stitching;
• swelling;
• breast swelling;
• quite rare, but an increase in temperature is possible;
• weight gain.

Physiological manifestations during premenstrual syndrome depend on hormonal levels, lifestyle and environment.

How to distinguish pregnancy from PMS

Many women are unable to distinguish between the signs of PMS and pregnancy. To know for sure, it is necessary to rely on the manifestations accompanying premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy.

Some symptoms are similar to each other, but they differ in duration and degree of manifestation.

1. Quite quick fatigue after light physical activity.
2. Enlargement of the mammary glands, their pain when touched - during PMS this manifestation does not last long, but during pregnancy it continues until childbirth.
3. Feelings of nausea, vomiting - PMS is rarely expressed by these symptoms, but pregnancy is characterized by such manifestations throughout the first trimester.
4. Irritability, frequent mood swings.
5. Pain in the lumbar region.

During pregnancy, attitudes towards nutrition change; often women may want to try specific foods. This does not happen during menstruation; only cravings for sweet or salty foods are possible.

How to relieve premenstrual syndrome

This condition in females can begin a few days before menstruation. Often there is a significant decrease in the body’s activity and performance. Any physical activity causes rapid fatigue, drowsiness and malaise.

In this case, you need to visit a doctor who should prescribe treatment. It is carried out after a medical examination, the patient’s complaints and the severity of PMS symptoms are taken into account.

Medications for PMS

To suppress symptoms and treat PMS, medications are prescribed that can stabilize well-being and reduce the impact of the syndrome on the body. Medicines are prescribed by a gynecologist and taken under his supervision.

1. Psychotropic drugs - with their help, the nervous system is restored and the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, such as irritability, nervousness and others, are weakened.
2. Hormonal medications are recommended for hormone deficiency in the body.
3. Antidepressants – help improve overall well-being, normalize sleep, reduce anxiety, disorders, panic, and eliminate depression.
4. Nonsteroidal medications are used for minor manifestations of PMS; they help eliminate headaches and abdominal pain.
5. Drugs that improve blood circulation.

Medicines are selected according to the characteristics of the female body, the symptoms and the degree of manifestation of signs of premenstrual syndrome are taken into account.