WHAT IS PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME OR PMS?

Do you sometimes feel like you could murder everybody around you?

Do you crave certain foods so much it’s almost unbearable?

Have you been accused of being too moody around the time of your periods?

You, my dear, are PMSing. What is PMS in periods, you ask?

WHAT DOES PMS STAND FOR?

PMS syndrome, or to be more precise and correct Premenstrual Syndrome, is something that you experience around the time before your periods. It is the changes in your mood, emotions, physical and mental health, and behavior that occur:

• Between ovulation (somewhere around the midpoint of your period cycle) and sometime before your period starts
• They last a few days after your periods begin.
• They affect your daily life and activities

Premenstrual syndrome is a very common issue that women of reproductive age face. Studies have shown that nearly 48% of the women who menstruate experience PMS. The symptoms are so severe for some that it disrupts their regular way of life. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PMS?

PMS symptoms are often mild or moderate, but you might experience severe symptoms too. You are likely to experience these symptoms every month before a period starts. PMS involves a few different symptoms. You might not experience all of them, but PMS involves some that are also listed below:

• You feel anxious or on edge for no reason at all
• You are more irritable than usual, and small things make you angry
• Your appetite has undergone a change; you are craving certain foods more than usual, especially sweets
• Your sex drive goes up or down drastically
• You tear up more than usual
• You feel it’s difficult to concentrate or remember things
• You feel tired all the time
• Your sleeping pattern too has changed; trouble sleeping

Some physical symptoms of PMS that you might face could be:

• Headaches
• Bloated abdomen
• Being unusually sensitive to light and sound
• Acne
• Sensitive breasts
• Being unusually clumsy
• Feeling constipated
• Cramps
• Muscle pain
• Diarrhea, etc.

CAUSES OF PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

Researchers have not found exactly why it is that some people experience the symptoms of PMS so severely while others don’t. They do have a few theories, though. Some of them are as follows:

• HORMONES – You could have a few changes in your hormones due to your period cycle. During the phase after ovulation, hormones reach their peak and then come down just as quickly, which could lead to some of the behavioral symptoms mentioned above.

• BRAIN – The neurotransmitters are a part of your brain. They help perform important functions like regulating your mood, emotions, and the way you behave. A drop in the levels of estrogen (the reproductive hormone) could trigger a change in the way your brain behaves. These changes in your brain could lead to sleeping problems, feeling sad or depressed, etc.

• MENTAL HEALTH – If you have some mental health conditions like depression or anxiety, you have higher chances of experiencing a more severe form of PMS called PMDD or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

Sometimes, it happens that mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and postpartum depression have some connection to your family; some of them might have experienced these. It significantly increases your chances of experiencing PMS; however, there are no studies to prove the same.

• LIFESTYLE: Some habits can affect the way you experience the given symptoms. Some of the practices listed below can give you PMS mood swings so bad that you might end up giving yourself whiplash, so try avoiding these:
• Not exercising daily
• Smoking is a big no-no
• Drinking (We hope you already saw this one coming)
• Lacking good quality sleep
• Eating junk foods can increase your PMS cramps even more (foods that are too salty, sweet, or fatty)

THINGS TO DO:

If things have gotten to a point where you need to take medications for your symptoms, it is time to see a doctor. There is no cure for PMS, but certain practices might help. Give these a try:

• DRINKING FLUIDS – Drinking a lot of fluids can help ease bloating. Drink herbal teas like chamomile or red raspberry leaf tea, etc.
• DIET – Eat a balanced diet that is full of all the nutritious elements your body needs
• VITAMIN D – Get more vitamin D through natural sources like food and sunlight
• SUPPLEMENTS – Ask your doctor to prescribe you supplements like folic acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B-6, etc.
• SLEEP – Sleeping helps in every ailment. Try getting at least 7- 9 hours of sleep.
• SELF-CARE – Take out time to do things you like, your hobbies and passion, socialize, and go out

Do you know what else self-care is? Give yourself the best for your periods. RIO Sanitary Pads are made for women who prioritize their comfort over anything else. RIO Pads are made with the best absorbent material to soak in everything, even your blood clots. The fit is perfect for preventing leaks or any discomfort. It is thick and long-lasting without being too heavy. With RIO, you better your periods!

Some people might think or make you believe that PMS is not a real thing. It very much is; how else could you explain the mental, physical and emotional turmoil of so many menstruators at almost exactly the same time around? Don’t let others belittle or downplay your struggles with PMS. If you think it has become too much for you to handle or it is disrupting your way of life, consult a doctor immediately as it could hint at something more serious.