PMS: Premenstrual Symptoms That Men May Not Fully Understand

What Is PMS?

Many people have heard someone say, “My mood is changing because my period is coming.” These symptoms may sometimes be dismissed as overreacting or being unreasonable. In reality, they can result from physical and hormonal changes before menstruation. This condition is known as PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome.

PMS refers to a group of symptoms that usually develops approximately one week before menstruation. The symptoms may affect the body, emotions, and behaviour, including:

๐ Irritability or mood swings
๐ Sadness or anxiety
๐ Increased appetite or food cravings
๐ Difficulty sleeping
๐ Breast tenderness
๐ Headaches
๐ Fatigue

These symptoms can affect daily activities, relationships, work, and overall quality of life.

What Causes PMS?

The exact cause of PMS is not yet fully understood. However, it is believed to be associated with changes in female reproductive hormones during the menstrual cycle, particularly after ovulation.

Fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone can affect several systems in the body, including mood and emotional responses.

Changes in brain chemicals may also contribute. Serotonin, for example, plays an important role in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite. When serotonin levels decrease, some women may experience:

๐ Sadness
๐ Irritability
๐ Anxiety
๐ Difficulty controlling emotions
๐ Changes in sleep or appetite

What Are the Symptoms of PMS?

PMS symptoms can generally be divided into two main groups: emotional and behavioural symptoms, and physical symptoms.

Emotional and Behavioural Symptoms

People with PMS may experience:

๐ Mood swings
๐ Irritability or anger
๐ Stress
๐ Difficulty concentrating
๐ Sadness or low mood
๐ Anxiety
๐ Increased appetite or food cravings
๐ A desire to be alone
๐ Reduced interest in socialising
๐ Insomnia or sleeping more than usual

Physical Symptoms

Common physical symptoms include:

๐ Breast tenderness or swelling
๐ Muscle or joint pain
๐ Headaches
๐ Abdominal discomfort
๐ Bloating
๐ Constipation or diarrhoea
๐ Temporary weight gain
๐ Fatigue or low energy
๐ Acne before menstruation

Is PMS Dangerous?

PMS does not usually cause serious complications, and the symptoms often improve or disappear after menstruation begins.

However, some people experience symptoms severe enough to interfere with daily life, work, study, or relationships.

Severe emotional symptoms may indicate Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or PMDD, which is a more serious condition than PMS. Possible symptoms include:

๐ Severe depression
๐ Intense anxiety
๐ Extreme mood changes
๐ Significant irritability or anger
๐ Thoughts of self-harm

Anyone experiencing severe emotional symptoms or thoughts of self-harm should seek medical help promptly.

Is Menstrual Cramping Part of PMS?

Menstrual cramps are not usually considered a primary symptom of PMS. They are more directly related to menstruation and the contractions of the uterus.

In some cases, severe menstrual pain may be associated with a gynaecological condition such as endometriosis.

Mild menstrual pain that does not interfere with daily activities may be managed with pain-relieving medication under the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

A medical assessment is recommended when the pain:

๐ Is severe or worsening
๐ Prevents normal work or daily activities
๐ Requires frequent injections or strong pain medication
๐ Occurs with heavy or unusual bleeding
๐ Does not improve with general treatment

How Can PMS Symptoms Be Relieved?

Managing PMS can begin with lifestyle adjustments.

๐ Exercise regularly.

๐ Eat a balanced and nutritious diet.

๐ Reduce very salty, sugary, or highly processed foods.

๐ Limit caffeine, particularly when it worsens anxiety or sleep problems.

๐ Get sufficient sleep.

๐ Practise stress-management or relaxation techniques.

๐ Keep a record of symptoms and menstrual cycles to identify patterns.

When lifestyle adjustments do not provide sufficient relief, or symptoms significantly affect daily life, a doctor may consider medication.

Possible treatments include:

๐ Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, which help regulate serotonin activity in the brain

๐ Certain hormonal contraceptives, including some formulations containing drospirenone

Medication should only be used after an appropriate medical assessment and under a doctor’s supervision.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Consult a doctor when PMS symptoms:

๐ Become severe or difficult to manage

๐ Cause significant mood changes, depression, or anxiety

๐ Lead to persistent sleep difficulties

๐ Cause unusually severe menstrual pain

๐ Interfere with work, study, daily activities, or relationships

๐ Do not improve with lifestyle changes

Summary

PMS is not attention-seeking behaviour, and it is not something women deliberately cause. It is a real condition associated with hormonal and chemical changes in the body before menstruation.

Understanding PMS can help women take better care of themselves while allowing partners, family members, friends, and colleagues to provide greater understanding and appropriate support.

When symptoms become severe or interfere with everyday life, they should not be ignored. A medical consultation can help identify the condition and determine the most appropriate treatment.

 

Reference :

Piyavate Blog PMS That Men Never Understand
ArokaGO Providers Piyavate Hospital