Many women would agree that their PMS Symptoms before their menstrual cycle is worse than their period itself. Your menstrual cycle is a continuous, repeating part of your physiology. PMS symptoms are not limited to how your body feels but how your mind functions as well. These PMS symptoms can affect your body and mind in countless ways — the specifics are different between women and can be different throughout your life as you age. PMS symptoms may be grouped into 5 basic categories: PMS-A (anxiety), PMS-C (craving), PMS-D (depression), PMS-H (hydration) and PMS-O (Other).
Did you know that the majority of women experience significant symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) or have Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)? You don’t have to suffer from serious PMS symptoms alone. Visit Dr. Neera Bhatia OBGYN in San Antonio to help get relief from possible PMS or PMDD symptoms.
What’s the Difference between PMS Symptoms and PMDD?
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms typically begin one to two weeks before a woman starts her menstrual period. Most women experience some PMS symptoms, but intense PMS appears in about 10% of women. As women age into their 30s, the risk of developing PMS increases.
PMS symptoms usually go away a couple of days before the period begins. PMS can include severe headaches, mood swings, depression, back and pelvic pain, widespread pain, exhaustion, and diarrhea/constipation. These PMS symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, and thyroid disorders.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is an extremely severe type of premenstrual syndrome exclusively 2 weeks preceding our period. Most notably, PMDD causes intense and potentially debilitating functional impairment, depression, and anxiety. Other emotional changes such as feeling out of control or overwhelmed may occur. Other physical symptoms include headaches, joint or muscle pain may also occur. The degree of pain may indicate other possible conditions such as endometriosis or adenomyosis that only your obgyn can diagnose.
If you are experiencing PMS symptoms that disrupt your daily life, please request an appointment with Dr. Neera Bhatia here to find out if you suffer from PMS, PMDD, or just want more understanding of your menstrual cycle.
Finally, a Study on Menstrual Cycles!
The world of women’s medicine has not had a significantly large population study for menstruation before, but that changed with one preliminary study powered by the iPhone Research app. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health performed a research study including 6,100+ women who reported their menstrual cycle symptoms.
The most common complaints of normal period symptoms include tender breasts, bloating, and cramps. See “The Breakdown” below for the most recent statistics on period symptoms.
The Breakdown
According to the study, 83% of participants reported abdominal period cramps, 63% experienced bloating, and 61% suffered from menstrual tiredness. Approximately 50% of women documented acne, breast tenderness/pain, low back pain, mood swings, headaches, and changes in appetite. Other menstrual cycle symptoms that were often reported include trouble sleeping, nausea, hot flashes, painful ovulation, and diarrhea/constipation. The study found that these menstrual cycle symptoms are common among all demographics. No matter age, location, or race, women appear to be very similar in terms of their menstrual cycles.
If you have symptoms of PMS, PMDD, or struggle with your menstrual period, call Dr. Neera Bhatia’s office at 210.222.2694 or schedule an appointment online here. Dr. Neera Bhatia OBGYN is conveniently located in San Antonio inside of the Metropolitan Professional Building.
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