PMS Resource
Center
Premenstrual
Stress Syndrome
article syndicated from Wikipedia
Premenstrual stress syndrome (PMS,
also called Premenstrual stress, Premenstrual
tension, PMT) is stress which
is a physical symptom prior to the onset of menstruation.
PMS
is exceedingly common, occurring in 75% of women
of reproductive age during their lifetime. A more
severe
form of PMS is premenstrual
dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This occurs in about
5% of women. Both are characterized by symptoms of
mood swings, depression,
anxiety and irritability that occur prior to menses,
usually in the two week period between ovulation and menses. It is often accompanied by physical symptoms
of abdominal bloating and cramping.
Diagnosis
of PMDD requires a persistence of symptoms for several
menstrual cycles, and differentiation from major
depression and anxiety disorders.
Treatment
usually begins with lifestyle modification. Reducing
caffeine,
sugar and sodium intake may help. Supplements of vitamin
B6 and calcium carbonate have
been shown to help reduce symptoms. Vitamin B6 should
be taken in doses of 50 to 100 micrograms per day.
Calcium carbonate should be taken in doses of 1200
milligrams a day. Exercise will help reduce depression
and anxiety symptoms. Keeping a symptom diary will
help cue sufferers to exacerbating and relieving strategies.
Prescription
treatments include the selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors,
like fluoxetine (Prozac®), sertraline (Zoloft®), paroxetine (Paxil®)
and citalopram (Celexa®).
This
article is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation License. It uses material
from the Wikipedia article "Premenstrual
Stress Syndrome".
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