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Most women of childbearing age are familiar with the symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome and that cyclically return, just like a Swiss watch. In fact, how many times have we felt fatigue, irritability, muscle and joint pain, breast tension, headache. These are some of the most common symptoms that characterize this syndrome and which, as the name suggests, precede the arrival of menstruation by a few days.
And even if not all suffer from it, to be interested it’s a good chunk of women. The diagnosis is clinical and is made after recording and evaluating the symptoms reported by the patient. You can act on symptomatology adopting for example good habits these include a healthy diet low in salt and sports.
So what are the causes and remedies to be adopted in case of PMS? We talked about it with Doctor Elisabetta Colonese, Surgeon, specialized in Gynecology and Obstetrics, couple infertility therapy.
What is that
«Premenstrual syndrome is a set of psychological and physical symptoms that occur in the life of women of childbearing age in the days leading up to menstruation. It is also quite common, since it affects you 2 to 5% of the female population»Explains the doctor.
Symptoms
“The symptoms, which can manifest themselves from a physical and psychological point of view, are:
- mood swings and changes (e.g. sudden sadness and unwarranted crying);
- marked irritability;
- outbursts of anger;
- tendency to depression;
- increase in interpersonal conflicts;
- headache;
- fatigue;
- anxiety;
- emotional tension;
- breast tenderness;
- joint and muscle pain;
- difficulty concentrating;
- tendency to lethargy;
- easy fatigue;
- lack of energy;
- body swelling;
- increase or decrease in sleep hours;
- increased hunger.
In particular, the desire to consume prevails sweet, fatty or rewarding foods and there may also be a decrease in interest in the usual activities related to sport, study, work, family, friends, hobbies, continues the expert “
On days such as those preceding the onset of menstruation, it can therefore happen to get caught up in “culinary whims” and of wanting to eat chocolate, fried foods or foods that fall under the name of comfort food, or that food that “makes us feel good” from a psychological point of view. It is important though don’t let go too much to greedy temptations, which would seem to be a solution in the moment of desire. In reality they are counterproductive in the long term, especially when we consider that the weight could be affected.
When it starts
“PMS usually starts 5 to 10 days before of the menstrual cycle (therefore in the luteal phase of the cycle) and then disappear with the arrival of the same menstruation. In some women though it may start a little earlier – around the 14th day – that is the canonical day of ovulation in a 28-day cycle ”, specifies Dr. Colonese.
Causes
“There may be some underlying premenstrual syndrome hormonal fluctuations, or an imbalance in the relationship between estrogen and progesterone. Other causes may reside in a lower presence in the body of serotonin levels (also called a good mood hormone) and in a altered hydrosaline exchange. These oscillations, in some more sensitive women, can precisely cause the onset of symptoms of PMS ».
Remedies
«We must pay attention to nutrition, then add a little salt to dishes and prefer seasoning in the form of spices. Furthermore, it is good:
- avoid alcohol;
- reduce coffee;
- limit or avoid sweets;
- drink at least 2 liters of water a day;
- take a supplement of magnesium and B vitamins.
Between natural remedies we can mention for example the ginkgo biloba which influences the well-being and energy of the woman. An important help also comes fromphysical exercise, then green light to running, walking, yoga, pilates.
If these remedies are not sufficient and PMS turns into a problem that is difficult to manage or unbearable for the woman, you can opt for a estrogen-progestogen therapy which can be the pill, the ring, the patch. In this way ovulation is prevented and consequently the hormonal fluctuations that cause the symptoms of PMS are avoided ”, concludes the expert.
In general therefore, we can counteract the typical symptoms of PMS by following small but simple tricks that can help us get better especially these days.
If the symptoms were to be felt with a certain intensity, it is better to talk about it with your own trusted gynecologist who will evaluate the most suitable therapy.
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