From Proyar Laboratory we want to share with you the 1st part of an exclusive article for our clients, written by Dr. Jorge Alonso. Physician, MN 67.640, Director of the Phytomedicine postgraduate program at U.B.A. and President of the Latin American Society of Phytomedicine.
Premenstrual Syndrome (Part 1)
DEFINITION
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by the cyclical appearance of one or more physical and psychological symptoms, immediately before menstruation arrives. The intensity of the pain can affect daily tasks: work and social relationships.
Characteristic are changes in mood and behavior in the time period preceding menstruation (from several days to 2 weeks before), followed by a period of relief in the phase after menstruation.
INCIDENCE
PMS can appear at any time during reproductive life, although it is more common between 30 and 40 years of age. After pregnancy, gynecological intervention or with the use of contraceptives, the syndrome appears with greater intensity. Approximately 80% of women of reproductive age experience physical and behavioral changes during that period, which are considered normal, without these necessarily causing disability or discomfort in all cases. In 2 to 10% of cases the symptoms are severe enough to harm the woman at work, in her lifestyle or in interpersonal relationships.
SYMPTOMATOLOGY
In some cases, the discomfort prevents the woman from continuing with her work activities normally. The most common discomforts are:
• Affective symptoms: sadness, anxiety, anger, emotional lability, irritability, apathy, crying or desperation episodes, paranoia, self-harm tendencies.
• Painful symptoms: headache, mastalgia (breast pain), cramps (paresthesias) in the legs and musculoskeletal pain.
• Neurovegetative symptoms: nausea, palpitations, gastritis, hot flashes.
• Cognitive symptoms: decreased concentration, indecision, reduced reflexes.
• Behavioral symptoms: lack of motivation, decreased impulse control, social isolation, reduced work efficiency.
• Others: weight gain, edema, heaviness, low urine output, acne, dry or oily hair. Small bruises on the skin of arms and legs, insomnia, hypersomnia (sleepiness), anorexia, food cravings, fatigue, lethargy. If the woman suffers from allergies, these may be exacerbated during this time. Usually the discomfort arises from ovulation, continues until the menstrual period and disappears once menstruation is finished.
CAUSES THAT PRODUCE IT
The exact cause of this disorder is not known, although different hypotheses are considered, most of them based and related to the hormonal changes occurring in the cycle:
• Progesterone deficiency
• Estrogen excess.
• Interactions between ovarian hormones and neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin and GABA).
• Disorders in the production of other hormones (testosterone, prolactin, aldosterone).
• Alterations in glucose and prostaglandin levels (normally they increase during ovulation and decrease during menstruation).
• Vitamin B6 deficiency.
• Stress and other emotional factors (psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology).
AGGRAVATING CAUSES
Practice has shown that certain factors increase the risk of suffering from premenstrual syndrome:
• Number of births: the more children one has, the greater the chances of suffering from PMS.
• Abrupt discontinuation of oral contraceptives frequently produces discomfort when the period approaches.
• After gynecological intervention (e.g. tubal ligation).
• History of severe preeclampsia (severe hypertension crisis during pregnancy).
• Stress would intensify pain during menstruation.
• After age 30, premenstrual discomfort may intensify. They will gradually disappear with the arrival of menopause.
• Sedentary lifestyle can favor the appearance of PMS.
Continued in second part.
