PMS Symptoms are not normal, although common.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) affects about 75% of women of reproductive age. It causes emotional and physical symptoms before menstruation. Though common, these symptoms aren't a typical part of the menstrual cycle.
PMS symptoms usually happen in a regular pattern every month. However, the type and severity of symptoms can differ a lot among women. Some may have mild symptoms that they barely notice, while others may find them severe, interfering with their daily activities.
PMS includes emotional and behavioral symptoms, like mood swings and changes in appetite or libido, as well as physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness and fatigue. These symptoms typically go away within four days of starting the menstrual period, regardless of their type or severity.
Diagnosing PMS can be hard because there aren't specific lab tests for it. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says a symptom must happen for at least three cycles and disrupt normal activities for a PMS diagnosis. Keeping a symptom journal each month can help diagnose it accurately.
Understanding the Causes of PMS:
Hormonal Imbalances: PMS can be caused by changes in hormones. During the luteal phase, there's often not enough progesterone and slightly more estrogen. Keeping progesterone stable is important because changes can affect serotonin levels, which impact mood. When estrogen and progesterone are off balance, serotonin levels can drop, causing mood changes.
Low Serotonin Levels: Women with PMS often have lower serotonin levels, a key chemical for mood control. This might explain feelings of depression, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and food cravings.
Nutritional Factors: Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals like Calcium, Vitamin D, Thiamine, and Riboflavin can worsen PMS symptoms. Making sure you have enough of these nutrients might help lessen PMS effects.
Gut Health: The variety of bacteria in your gut, called the gut microbiome, might affect PMS. Research suggests that adding helpful bacteria could reduce PMS symptoms, showing how important gut health is.
Endocrine Disruptors: Chemicals in the environment, called endocrine disruptors, can mess with hormones and make PMS worse. Reducing exposure to these chemicals could potentially ease PMS symptoms.
Functional Medicine Approach to PMS:
Functional medicine aims to find and treat the underlying reasons for PMS instead of just treating symptoms. It involves thorough testing to understand each person's specific hormonal, gut, and nutritional health.
Hormonal, Adrenal, and Metabolism Testing: This simple home lab test can show if there are hormone imbalances, adrenal issues, or metabolism problems, which can all affect PMS.
Comprehensive Stool Test: This test checks gut health by looking at the balance of good and bad microorganisms, how well you digest and absorb nutrients, and your immune system's status. Since gut health is important for overall well-being, this test is vital for understanding and treating PMS.
Conclusion: Although PMS is widespread, it shouldn't be considered normal. Identifying the root causes like hormonal imbalances, nutritional gaps, gut problems, or environmental factors is crucial for managing and possibly overcoming PMS. A personalised and holistic approach can help relieve symptoms and enhance life quality.
Please see mentioned Lab tests in the link below:
Lab Tests – Synergised
