PMS also known as the premenstrual syndrome is a combination of symptoms that women experience a week or two before their menstrual cycle. These symptoms can include mood swings, cramping, headaches, nausea, and bloating. It is believed that women get symptoms before ovulating because estrogen and progesterone levels fall dramatically if you are not pregnant. While there are some women who get mild PMS symptoms, there is a large majority who have severe pain, making them unable to go on about their daily activities. The severe PMS symptoms is known as a premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Women who are experiencing PMDD symptoms are also experiencing significant mental distress and depression because the pain is so severe. This, in turn, causes problems in relationships, work, school, and everyday life. About 15% of women who have PMDD are suicidal. However, there are many solutions that can help out with the symptoms and ease the women back into their daily routines.
Antidepressants
One solution to PMDD includes antidepressants, especially if the women is experiencing anxiety and depression. The type of antidepressants that are usually used in these cases is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). When these antidepressants are taken, there is an increase in serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is believed to influence the way in which women’s bodies react to a great amount of hormones that are released during menstruation.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy for PMS is a great alternative to treating PMDD. Hormone therapy is able to provide relief to many of the symptoms that women experience before and during menstruation. 3 out of 4 women are impacted by PMDD, usually in their late twenties to their late forties. There are over 150 physical and emotional symptoms that are experienced due to the menstrual cycle, and the severity of them can greatly impact the way you live your life. At Radiance Anti Aging, hormone therapy for PMS is used on women experiencing PMDD by testing and balancing hormone levels of progesterone and estrogen. At Radiance Anti Aging, you would learn how to integrate lifestyle changes and healthy eating habits with hormone therapy that can provide great relief.
Some common hormone therapy that is used is birth control. Birth control contains two particular hormones; progestin and drospirenone that can help alleviate the symptoms of women who are experiencing severe PMDD symptoms. hormonal contraceptives can be taken in many different ways, such as through pills, vaginal ring, patch, coils, or injections.
Diet and Lifestyle Change
Exercising regularly is a great and healthy way to reduce any PMS symptoms. A healthy lifestyle change also includes cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and smoking. Practicing yoga and meditation can help alleviate symptoms as well.
It is important to remember that you have many different options when it comes to dealing with PMS symptoms, especially severe ones. There are many women out there experiencing the same symptoms you are, so you are not alone. Looking through all available options and finding the best one for you and your health should be the number one priority. When visiting your doctor, always ask questions and address everything that is bothering you. If there is a treatment that you thought might work for you, but it isn’t anymore, it is okay to go back to your doctor and find different solutions.