Condition before PMS. Treatment of premenstrual syndrome folk remedies

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

The condition of the girl before menstruation remained a mystery for a long time. Only in the twentieth century the veil of secrecy was slightly opened.

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 onset of menstruation, and disappear with the advent of the "red" days of the calendar.

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

Why does premenstrual syndrome occur?

Numerous studies do not allow to identify the exact causes of premenstrual syndrome. There are many theories of its occurrence: “water intoxication” (violation of water-salt metabolism), allergic nature (increased sensitivity to endogenous), 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 the 2nd phase of the cycle
• androgens - affect libido, increase energy, performance

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

Since the days before menstruation are endocrine unstable, many women experience psychovegetative and somatic disorders. In this case, the decisive role is played not so much by the level of hormones (which can 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 the retention of fluids, swelling, engorgement and soreness of the mammary glands, cardiovascular disorders, irritability, aggression, tearfulness
• hypersecretion - also leads to fluid retention, sodium in the body
• excess prostaglandins- , digestive disorders, migraine-like headaches

The most likely factors affecting the development of the syndrome, on which the opinions of physicians do not differ:

• Decreased serotonin levels- this is the so-called "hormone of joy", may 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- Symptoms such as fatigue, fluid retention in the body, mood changes, and breast hypersensitivity indicate a lack of this vitamin.
• Magnesium deficiency – Magnesium deficiency can cause dizziness, headaches, cravings for chocolate.
• Smoking. Women who smoke are twice as likely to get premenstrual syndrome.
• Overweight . Women with a body mass index over 30 are three times more likely to suffer from PMS symptoms.
• genetic factor- it is possible that the features of the course of premenstrual syndrome are inherited.
• , complicated childbirth, stress, surgical interventions, infections, gynecological pathologies.

The main symptoms and manifestations of premenstrual syndrome

Groups of symptoms in PMS:

• Neuropsychiatric disorders: aggression, depression, irritability, tearfulness.
• Vegetovascular disorders: changes in blood pressure, headache, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, tachycardia,.
• Metabolic and endocrine disorders: swelling, fever, chills, breast engorgement, itching, flatulence, shortness of breath, thirst, memory loss,.

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

neuropsychic	crisis form	Atypical manifestations of PMS
Violations in the nervous and emotional spheres: anxiety disorders feeling of unreasonable sadness depression feeling of fear depression impaired concentration forgetfulness insomnia (see) irritability mood swings decrease or significant increase in libido aggression	tachycardia attacks jumps in blood pressure heartache frequent urination episodes panic attacks Most women have diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract.	subfebrile temperature (up to 37.7 ° C) increased drowsiness bouts of vomiting allergic reactions (ulcerative gingivitis and stomatitis, etc.)
	edematous form	Cephalgic form
	swelling of the face and limbs thirst weight gain pruritus decreased urination indigestion (constipation, diarrhea, flatulence) headache joint pain There is a negative diuresis with fluid retention.	Leading mainly neurological and vegetative-vascular manifestations: migraine, throbbing pain, radiates to the eye area cardialgia (pain in the heart area) vomiting, nausea tachycardia hypersensitivity to smells, sounds in 75% of women, x-ray of the skull - hyperostosis, increased vascular pattern The family history of women with this form is aggravated by hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases.

PMS is different for every woman, and the symptoms vary greatly. According to the results of some studies, women with PMS have the following frequency of manifestation of one or another sign of PMS:

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

Premenstrual syndrome can aggravate the course of other diseases:

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

Diagnosis: what can masquerade as manifestations of PMS?

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

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

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

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

• If a woman feels relatively well in the 1st phase of the cycle, then this is a 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, hormone studies are carried out: prolactin, estradiol and progesterone. The doctor may also prescribe additional diagnostic methods, depending on the prevailing complaints:

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

Conducts a survey of women suffering from PMS, not only a gynecologist, but also involved: 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 in a woman’s body increases, which also happens during PMS, so the following symptoms are identical:

• fast fatiguability
• swelling and soreness of the breast
• 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
Soreness of the mammary glands	accompanies the entire pregnancy	Pain goes away with menstruation
Appetite	the attitude to food changes, you want inedible, salty, beer, something that a woman usually does not like, the sense of smell is greatly aggravated, ordinary smells can be very annoying	can crave sweet and savory, sensitivity to odors
Back pain	only late	may have back pain
Fatigue	starts 4-5 weeks after conception	can appear both immediately after ovulation, and 2-5 days before menstruation
	mild, short-term 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’s not easy to understand what exactly happens in a woman’s body and distinguish pregnancy from PMS:

• The easiest way to find out what caused poor health is to wait for the onset of menstruation.
• If the calendar is already late, you should take a pregnancy test. A pharmacy test will give reliable results only with a delay in menstruation. It is sensitive to the pregnancy hormone (hCG) excreted in the urine. If you do not have enough patience and nerves to wait, you can take a blood test for hCG. It shows almost one hundred percent result 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, will 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 have a pronounced character, treatment is indispensable. After a thorough examination, the doctor will prescribe drug therapy and give the necessary recommendations to alleviate the course of 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 loved ones suffer, are corrected by the methods of stabilizing behavioral techniques and psycho-emotional relaxation,.
• For headaches, pain in the lower back and abdomen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for the temporary relief of pain (, Nimesulide, Ketanov, see).
• Diuretics for removing excess fluid from the body with edema (see).
• Hormone therapy is prescribed for insufficiency of the second phase of the cycle, only after tests of functional diagnostics, based on the results of the identified changes. Apply gestagens - Medroxyprogesterone acetate from 16 to 25 days of the cycle.
• are prescribed for many neuropsychic symptoms (insomnia, nervousness, aggressiveness, anxiety, panic attacks, depression): Amitriptyline, Rudotel, Tazepam, Sonapax, Sertraline, Zoloft, Prozac, etc. in the 2nd phase of the cycle after 2 days from the onset of symptoms.
• With crisis and cephalgic forms, it is possible to prescribe Parlodel in the 2nd phase of the cycle, or if prolactin is elevated, then in a continuous mode, it has a normalizing effect on the central nervous system.
• With cephalgic and edematous forms, antiprostaglandin drugs are recommended (Indomethacin, Naprosin) in the second phase of the menstrual cycle.
• Since women often have elevated levels of histamine and serotonin with 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, Aminolone for 2-3 weeks.
• In the crisis, cephalgic and neuropsychic form, drugs are indicated that normalize the neurotransmitter metabolism in the central nervous system - Peritol, Difenin, the doctor prescribes the drug for a period of 3-6 months.
• Homeopathic preparations Remens or Mastodinone.

What can you do?

• Full sleep

Try to sleep as much as your body has time to fully rest, usually 8-10 hours (see. Lack of sleep leads to irritability, anxiety and aggression, negatively affects 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, rose and will help normalize the cycle. Lavender and basil effectively fight spasms. Juniper and bergamot are uplifting. Start taking baths with aromatic oils two weeks before your period.

Hiking, running, Pilates, body flex, yoga, dancing are a great way to treat symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in women. Regular exercise increases endorphin levels, which can help fight depression and insomnia, as well as reduce the severity of physical symptoms.

• Take vitamin B6 and magnesium two weeks before your period

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

• Nutrition

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

• Relaxation practices

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

• Regular sex

It helps fight insomnia, stress and bad mood, increase the level of endorphins, strengthen the immune system. At this time, many women increase their sexual appetite - why not surprise your partner and try something new?

• medicinal plants

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

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

When does PMS start? This question is often heard from women. PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome - this is the emotional and physiological instability of the female body, which provokes a conflict with oneself 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 reduction of PMS has entered the lexicon of medical terms of gynecologists not so long ago. This syndrome is characterized by changes in the psychological state and physiological work of the body of girls and women before the start of the next menstruation.

• manifestations of behavior uncharacteristic for a woman;
• propensity to start a conflict from scratch;
• headache;
• causeless tantrums;
• tearfulness;
• fatigue, etc.

According to statistics, about 90% of all women in the world are subject to the development of PMS of various strengths. Almost 150 different symptoms of this condition are known.

Symptoms

Premenstrual syndrome manifests itself in a large number. Some of them are particularly strong, while others are less intense. Symptoms may not stop for several days, generally dragging on even for 10 days. They are classified into physiological and psychological.

The psychological ones are:

• depressive states;
• feeling of depression;
• stress;
• nervousness;
• unreasonable aggression and irritability over trifles;
• frequent mood swings.

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

Physiological include:

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

Physiological symptoms directly depend on the hormonal balance of a woman, on her lifestyle.

Causes

In the 30s of the 20th century, gynecologist Robert Frank first defined the disease, which manifests itself with different strengths 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 ailments. Medical scientists are still trying to clarify the causes of such changes in the body. Indeed, during this period, balanced women become truly hysterical, conflict and emotional persons.

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

Hormonal disbalance

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

An increase in the concentration of the hormone estrogen provokes a delay in the cells of sodium and water - in connection with this, edema appears, abnormalities in the work of the heart and blood vessels, as well as excretory organs, and the stomach hurts.

Nervousness, tearfulness and fatigue are provoked precisely by hormonal disruptions.

Water intoxication

According to this theory, the development of physiological and psychological abnormalities is associated with disturbances in the water-salt balance. Delayed excretion of fluid, 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 weight gain. The mass of a woman usually increases by 3 - 5 kg, but from the day of the onset of menstruation, 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 failure in the emotional and physical state is provoked by functional disorders of the central nervous system.

The older the woman, the more pronounced the symptoms of PMS, in addition, the tendency to depression increases. Young girls become aggressive and irritable, 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, affecting the intensity of the manifestation of PMS, include:

• Caucasian race;
• mental work and living in big cities;
• frequent pregnancies;
• lack of pregnancy, abortions and miscarriages;
• pathology 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 in the body of a woman there are any changes in the genitals. In the first half - the process of egg maturation - lasts 14 - 16 days. In the middle of the cycle, the egg leaves the follicle. In the remaining days before menstruation, the body prepares the conditions for the course of pregnancy, if it occurs, or begins to reject the excess if it has not occurred.

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 to 2 weeks before menstruation. Sometimes a premenstrual symptom follows immediately after ovulation.

How many days before menstruation

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

How long does it take

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

A feeling 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 PMS symptoms persist, you should visit a gynecologist for a consultation.

How to alleviate the condition

If PMS in a girl or woman is painful and lasts a long time, then 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 stop the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome?

The well-established idea of ​​the fragility of the female body is justified: unlike men, the fairer sex does 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 shake the physical and mental well-being of even the most balanced and healthy young lady. In this article, we'll take a look at the common misconceptions associated with this condition and find out how to alleviate PMS.

Truths and myths about PMS

Many stereotypes are associated with premenstrual syndrome - this is due to the fact that, to date, scientists have not yet fully elucidated the mechanisms for the occurrence of such a phenomenon. In addition, the widespread use of PMS among women has been publicly discussed relatively recently (previously, everything related to the menstrual cycle was a kind of taboo in society). It is not surprising that the representatives of the weaker sex, who were lucky enough to never experience symptoms of discomfort before menstruation, as well as some men, consider this problem 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 at a designated time, and every month these days they explain the reasons for their bad mood precisely as premenstrual disorder.

Nevertheless, most experts are inclined to the position 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 about 5-10%, the symptoms are so pronounced that they cause disability. It is no coincidence that this condition is included in the international classification of diseases of the World Health Organization: in other words, a diagnosed premenstrual syndrome is a valid reason for obtaining a sick leave.

As a rule, the duration of PMS is from two days to a week, while this indicator, like the severity of symptoms, tends to increase with age.

What is the reason for this phenomenon? A few days before the end of the menstrual cycle, the concentration of sex hormones in the blood of a woman significantly decreases: 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, a short-term change in the hormonal background, which also affects the synthesis of biologically active substances in the central nervous system, leads to characteristic symptoms - fluid retention in the body, headache, breast tightening and sudden changes in mood. At the same time, with the age of a woman - and, as a result, with an increase in the number of chronic diseases and pathologies of the reproductive system - the manifestations of PMS increase.

Scientists believe that the reason PMS has proved 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 cause of your poor health on the eve of menstruation? Doctors advise every woman, regardless of the presence or absence of signs of PMS, to keep a short diary, reflecting in it 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 form 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 that combine similar types of manifestations:

• At neuropsychic form Violations of the emotional sphere come to the fore: a woman becomes whiny, apathetic, irritable, she can be unsettled even by slight physical fatigue or unpleasant news, which on other days would cause only a momentary upset.
• Cephalgic form PMS is characterized by a migraine that can go as far as nausea. The pain in this case can be given to the eye area, accompanied by sweating, weakness, numbness of the fingers. Some women, by these signs, guess about the approach of menstruation.
• edematous form manifested by fluid retention in the body: a few days before menstruation, a woman notes that her face is swollen or heaviness has appeared in the mammary glands. Edema can also appear on the legs - in the afternoon. At the same time, a woman may feel cravings for salty foods, which indicates a violation of the water-salt metabolism in the body.
• At crisis form PMS, which is initially more common in women with 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 - with pressure drops. In severe cases, PMS can be a reason to call the ambulance, especially if a woman over 40 suspects a hypertensive crisis, myocardial infarction or stroke. The opposite situations are not rare either - reassuring herself with the thought that it's just overwork and the typical precursors of menstruation, the patient ignores the alarming symptoms of a serious illness.

There is nothing reprehensible in the fact that with severe PMS, seek the advice of a doctor. Firstly, in order to undergo an examination and make sure that the cause of discomfort is precisely in this phenomenon, and not in 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 severe discomfort, then it will probably be possible to do without drugs. 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 affect hormonal levels. Therefore, the first step in solving the problem of PMS is the stabilization of 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 report that courses of massage or apparatus 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, the consequences of surgeries, and so on.
• Lifestyle Correction often allows without any auxiliary methods to improve the condition before menstruation. So, proper nutrition and regular exercise help to lose weight, and healthy sleep is the prevention of migraine, even in cases where it is caused by PMS, and not by chronic lack of sleep. It has been proven that in women who follow the daily routine, premenstrual syndrome occurs less frequently and is milder than in others.

Hormone therapy for PMS

Another way to combat premenstrual syndrome is to take sex hormones. Such treatment is carried out exclusively under the supervision of a physician.

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

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

Medicines given to women to relieve symptoms of PMS

You can cope with PMS without hormones - especially when this condition manifests itself mainly in a neuropsychic form. Drugs from various 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, tincture of ginseng, lemongrass, hawthorn, valerian are natural remedies that increase vitality and eliminate the feeling of depression. The drug "Mastodinon" is a homeopathic remedy designed specifically to combat PMS. Also, doctors often prescribe multivitamin complexes to patients, which normalize metabolism and reduce the somatic manifestations of the syndrome.
• OTC and prescription sedatives are medicines 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 them to be used without consulting a doctor. If your doctor has prescribed you a prescription-only drug, you should be especially careful with dosages and monitor side effects.

Expert opinion: a specialist from the manufacturer of the drug tells about the use of Afobazol during PMS

"Afobazole" is a modern drug aimed at restoring the normal functioning of the nervous system and quickly eliminating the 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 dependence and does not entail a withdrawal syndrome, so you can use it in those periods of life when it is really necessary. Another plus of "Afobazole" is that it does not enter into drug interactions. This allows it to be used as one of the means of complex drug therapy.

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

Since the signs of PMS are individual for each woman, it is not always wise to take the advice of friends or relatives in the treatment of this condition - especially if they endure the last days of the cycle before menstruation easier than you do. Be consistent in your PMS remedies and if lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications don't improve your condition, be sure to seek the advice of your doctor.

The menstrual cycle has certain periods - in each of them there is a manifestation of typical symptoms. The cycle begins with the formation of a follicle - on the first day when menstruation comes. After 11-14 days, an egg is released from the follicle - this phase is called ovulatory.

From the beginning of ovulation to the onset 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 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, therefore the psycho-emotional state of the woman is unstable. Harbingers of menstruation are also expressed in increased timidity, light sleep and nightmares. Women during and before menstruation feel anxiety, the danger is the action of estrogen, released in large quantities.

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

Signs of PMS before menstruation are:

• Aching, pulling pain in the lower abdomen;
• Stinging and drawing pain in the small of the back;
• Increased appetite - bouts of hunger can wake a woman even late at night;
• Sensitivity, irritability;
• Increasing the temperature to 37оС;
• 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 breast can increase in size, and with a slight pressure give painful sensations.

General symptoms

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

When menstruation approaches, the discharge becomes white, sometimes brown in color with a slight sour smell. They become somewhat more plentiful than usual, have a curd texture.

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. Noticing this, you should immediately go to the gynecologist and take a smear for candidiasis.

Common symptoms of menstruation are also fatigue, lethargy, mild nausea and dizziness. Feelings of fear, anxiety are often manifested, 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 sought in mood, hunger or satiety, and ability to work.

During the week

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

The approach of menstruation is noted by increased sweating, a feeling of heat, quickly turning into chills. The chest begins to swell and the nipple halos become sensitive even to underwear - friction can cause tingling, goosebumps, and aching pain.

How do you know when your period starts?

• Feeling the chest, pressing on the area of ​​​​halos;
• Tracing the color and abundance of secretions;
• Observation of outbursts of irritation and fear.

As soon as these symptoms begin to appear, you can wait for menstruation in 7-9 days.

For three days

In such a short period of time, the signs of approaching menstruation can 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 a strong fear for their lives and safety, up to paranoia - this is the work of the hormonal background, providing the body with complete preparation for pregnancy and protecting the fetus.

Nightmares are a sign of menstruation for three days - women complain of a light sleep and a sharp awakening in a cold sweat. A frequent companion of the crisis period is a migraine, especially in the morning.

How to determine that there are 3-5 days left before menstruation:

• Migraine, frequent increase in blood pressure;
• A heightened sense of fear, anxiety;
• Selection of gray, white;
• Possible body temperature in the range of 37-37.5 ° C.

In a girl, menstruation is accompanied by minor rashes on the skin of the face. Most often - on the cheeks and forehead, in the same area the oiliness of the skin increases. All these symptoms occur during menses.

Per day

A day before the menstruation comes, the girl feels a pulling pain in the lower abdomen and in the lower back. Stretching, you can feel pain and tingling, breathtaking. The discharge just before menstruation becomes more abundant, darker in color than before.

In young girls, itching may begin at the site of skin rashes, and sweating also increases significantly. Girls note the heat in the cheeks, ears. Nervousness begins to fade, lethargy, fatigue, desire for sweets are more manifested.

Start of menstruation

The first signs of menstruation are marked by nausea and characteristic discharge. Menstruation on the pad in the first two or three hours is brown, then red, bloody. Allocations are accompanied by pain in the abdomen, some note simultaneous indigestion.

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

Determination of days before menstruation

Signs before menstruation are also 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 what terms approximately remain before the onset of menstruation, you can use a pharmacy test. 11-14 days after your last period has started, buy an ovulation test from a pharmacy. It is advisable to buy a few, 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. From the day on which the ovulatory test was positive, it is enough to count two weeks - during this period, menstruation should come.

Since the 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 fully justified and safe if at that time there were:

• Serious shocks, stress;
• Starvation or strict diets;
• sleep deprivation;
• A sharp change in climate (for example, a trip to a warm resort in winter and returning back);
• The beginning of a new season is the turn of autumn and winter, winter and spring, and so on.

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 soothe and relieve irritability, you can take baths with essential oils of fir, Siberian pine or lavender. 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 smells, such as vanilla, contribute to nausea, so they are not recommended.

If you can’t overcome the feeling of fear, obsessive thoughts don’t let you fall asleep, it’s better to limit yourself to optional exits from the house and not to approach dangerous household appliances.

How to relieve pain

Frequent airing of the room will be useful, especially before going to bed. 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 syndromes 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 can 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 bathroom, lie down a bit and relax.

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

There is no exact framework for how many years PMS occurs. Premenstrual syndrome is a fairly common phenomenon and occurs in 75% of women. This is a condition in which various pseudo-symptoms appear that are characteristic of PMS.

It is characterized by certain psychological and physiological characteristics. For each woman or girl, this condition manifests itself in different ways and is expressed in varying degrees of intensity.

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

How many days before menstruation does PMS show up?

As noted earlier, in all women the syndrome is expressed differently, therefore, how many days before menstruation it manifests itself and how long it lasts - all this is purely individual. As a rule, the first symptoms can be observed in a woman 2-10 days before the onset of menstruation. Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, the symptoms of PMS 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 the psycho-emotional and physiological processes, which causes changes in the behavior, well-being of a woman.

Before the onset of menstruation, in a few days, 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 background returns to normal and the woman can again feel normal.

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

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

It may happen that menstruation began earlier, and as a result, PMS will also appear a few days earlier than expected. To identify the exact period of the onset of premenstrual syndrome, you need to know your own cycle, it is especially easier for those girls who have menstruation regularly at the same interval. In the first year after the onset of menstruation, adolescents may have a period for the duration of 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 onset of the syndrome is due to some internal factors:

• violations in the body of water-salt balance;
• allergic reactions;
• psychological reasons;
• physiological factors.

The main reason for the appearance of PMS is a change in the level of hormones, 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 entail not only changes in the psycho-emotional plan, but also contribute to the exacerbation of certain diseases, as a result of which health may worsen and general malaise and weakness appear.

Female hormones that ensure the normal and stable functioning of the whole 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 with an increase in its level 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, as a result of which tearfulness and sadness appear.
2. Lack of vitamin B6 - causes fatigue, mood changes.
3. Lack of magnesium - contributes to dizziness.

Often, PMS is genetically transmitted, which is the main reason for its occurrence in a woman.

PMS symptoms

PMS in females has a lot of manifestations. For some, they may not be particularly pronounced, for others they may be more intense. Symptoms may last one day or may last up to 10 days. Basically, they are divided into psychological and physiological manifestations.

Psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome:

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

Psychological symptoms are quite pronounced and are common in women in the second phase of the cycle. Basically, the manifestations depend on the function of the nervous system and the work of hormones.

Physiological symptoms:

• feeling of nausea and vomiting;
• instability of blood pressure;
• aching or stabbing;
• puffiness;
• breast swelling;
• Rarely enough, but a rise in temperature is possible;
• weight set.

Physiological manifestations during the period of premenstrual syndrome depend on the hormonal level, lifestyle and environment.

How to distinguish pregnancy from PMS

Many women are unable to distinguish between the symptoms of PMS and pregnancy. To know for sure, you need to rely on the manifestations associated with premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy.

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

1. Satisfied with rapid fatigue after light physical exertion.
2. Enlargement of the mammary glands, their soreness when touched - during PMS, this manifestation is not long-term, but during pregnancy it continues until childbirth.
3. Feeling of nausea, vomiting - PMS is rarely expressed by these symptoms, while pregnancy is characterized by such manifestations throughout the first trimester.
4. Irritability, frequent mood swings.
5. Pain in the lumbar region.

During pregnancy, the attitude to nutrition changes, often women may want to try a specific food. With menstruation, this does not happen, only a craving for sweet or salty is possible.

How to relieve premenstrual syndrome

This condition in the female can begin a few days before menstruation. Often there is a significant decrease in the activity of the body and its 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 the symptoms and treat PMS, medications are prescribed that can stabilize well-being and weaken the effect 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 drugs - recommended for hormone deficiency in the body.
3. Antidepressants - help to improve overall well-being, normalize sleep, reduce anxiety, frustration, panic, and eliminate depression.
4. Non-steroidal drugs - used for minor manifestations of PMS, they help eliminate headaches, and pain in the abdomen.
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.