Health Centres - Premenstrual syndrome (PMS or PMT)
What is premenstrual syndrome?
Symptoms of PMS
There are more than 100 recognised symptoms that may be due to PMS. Fortunately, most women experience only a handful of problems. The most common symptoms are listed below.
- Irritability.
Physical
- Breast tenderness.
How do I know if I have PMS?
The symptoms are similar to PMS, but are severe enough to impair or prevent quality of life.
PMDD is a depressive disorder.
What causes PMS?
When should I seek treatment?
For the majority of women, the symptoms are a minor inconvenience you can recognise, anticipate and deal with yourself.
You could ask for a double appointment to give more time for discussion.
Or your GP may prefer to have a quick word at first, then ask you to come back and discuss things in depth.
The Family Planning Clinic and Well-Woman Clinic are other sources of help.
What treatments are available?
A placebo is a treatment that is ineffective (eg a dummy tablet) but has the psychological effect of making you feel better.
To demonstrate a treatment is better than a placebo requires careful scientific study.
Not all PMS treatments have been subjected to evaluation in this way.
- Mood swings.
- Losing your temper easily.
- Loss of confidence.
- Crying for no particular reason.
- Aggression.
- Poor concentration.
- Tiredness.
- Abdominal swelling or bloating.
- Weight gain.
- Swollen ankles.
-
Headaches and possibly migraine.
Recognising your symptoms are due to PMS is an important first step.
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