Premenstrual syndrome is a condition that occurs at least once in about 3 out of every 4 women and shows itself with symptoms such as emotional changes, tenderness in the breasts, food cravings, tiredness, a state of mental tension, irritability, weight gain and depression.
The most important feature of these symptoms is that they have a predictable cycle. However, both the physical and the emotional changes, and their intensity, vary from person to person. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taner Usta, specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, shared with us the signs and causes of this very common syndrome.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF THE SYNDROME?
Premenstrual syndrome has a wide variety of signs. These signs are emotional, behavioural and physical. Among the emotional and behavioural changes are tension and anxiety, depression, crying spells, mood changes, uncontrolled anger, changes in eating habits and food cravings, difficulty sleeping, social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating and changes in libido. Joint and muscle pain, headache, tiredness, weight gain, abdominal pain, tenderness in the breasts, acne, diarrhoea or alcohol intolerance are the physical signs that appear in the syndrome.
These changes are generally severe enough to affect daily life and, in many women, disappear on the 4th-5th day after the menstrual cycle begins. In a small number of women these effects are extremely severe. This very serious situation is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder and certainly requires treatment.
WHAT ARE THE KNOWN CAUSES?
It is not yet known exactly which causes lead to premenstrual syndrome. However, it is thought that this syndrome is experienced when more than one factor comes together. At the head of these are the hormonal changes that occur in the body before the cycle. This situation disappears with pregnancy or with the menopause.
In addition, the chemical changes occurring in the brain during this period are also thought to cause premenstrual syndrome. A fall in the amount of serotonin, which acts as a neurotransmitter, causes mood changes and thus leads to depression, tiredness, food cravings or sleep problems. Finally, undiagnosed depression can also lead to this syndrome. However, depression alone does not cause all the signs. In treatment, changes in eating and drinking habits, contraceptive pills, activity and psychological support also have a very important place.
Small changes made in daily life or various treatment methods help to bring the tension experienced before menstruation under control. What matters at this point is to prevent the problems that arise from affecting life negatively.