Premenstrual syndrome (PMS ,also known as premenstrual tension (PMT) affects about 80% of women, with 10% having severe PMS that has a significant effect on their day to day lives.
SLIDESHOW: Swipe to the left to move to the next slide or use the arrows
What is Premenstrual Syndrome ?
PMS is used to describe a range of symptoms that occur in women after ovulation and usually ends when menstruation starts.
What causes Premenstrual Syndrome?
The cause of PMS is not well understood. There are several theories which look at:
- changes in sex hormone levels
- changes in brain chemicals that affect mood
Symptoms of PMS
Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome may vary from month to month and in some months may be more severe than others.
PMS and sore breasts and nipples
One of the most common symptoms you may experience as a result of premenstrual syndrome is sore breasts and nipples. Excessive water stored in the body leads to bloating which is the main cause of sore breasts after ovulation. Accummulation of water in the breast tissues leads to stretching of the skin and puts the other tissues under tension which accounts for the soreness.
Other physical symptoms of PMS
Other physical symptoms of PMS include:
- weight gain
- tiredness
- sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or too little)
- changes in appetite (food cravings and overeating)
PMS and mood swings
Mood swings are a common symptom of PMS. Other mood related PMS symptoms include:
- anger
- irritability
- anxiety
- crying spells
How do I know I have PMS
PMS symptoms are so varied that it’s sometimes difficult to know for sure that you have PMS. There are no tests to tell you whether you have PMS or not. The best way is to keep a menstrual diary over a few months. Here you can write down what symptoms you have and when you have them. If symptoms start around the middle of your cycle and end when you menstruate, then you probably have PMS. From the time you menstruate until around the middle of your cycle, you should not have any symptoms. If you have symptoms throughout the whole of your cycle, there are 2 possibilities:
- you don’t have PMS
- you have PMS but you may have another condition in addition
Other health problems that may behave like PMS include:
- depression
- chronic fatigue
- irritable bowel syndrome
- cyclic water retention
Natural progesterone cream for PMS symptoms
Research has shown that women who suffer from PMS, especially when it is very severe, tend to have low progesterone in relation to estrogen in the later part of the menstrual cycle. This can be relieved to a great extent by using natural progesterone cream for two weeks every month. This helps to restore the body’s natural hormonal balance. The best results will be achieved if natural progesterone cream is used together with stress management techniques and adjustments in diet.
Assuming you have a 2 ounce container of natural progesterone cream that contains a total of 960mg. That means that:
1/2 teaspoon= 40mg
1/4 teaspoon= 20mg
1/8 teaspoon= 10mg
For the first 2 months, use one 2 ounce jar per month from days 10 to 12 until day 26to 30. Start counting with the first day of your period as day 1. Starting on day 10, 11 or 12, apply a small dab of cream at night for a few nights, then a small dab of cream morning and night. Finish off the last 3 or 4 days with bigger dabs of cream, making sure you use up the whole 2 ounce jar. Do this until day 26-30 depending on when you expect to see your period. If your period starts before day 26, stop using the cream. Once you see your period, start counting day 1 again, then start the cream on day 10,11 or 12. When your symptoms are less severe, you can reduce the amount you use aiming to use 1/2 of a 2 ounce jar per month.
Find out more about natural progesterone cream
- What is progesterone and USP natural progesterone?
- Guidelines for using natural progesterone cream
- Wean yourself off synthetic hormones
- What are the side effects of progesterone? Should I expect the same from a natural bioidentical progesterone cream?
- What should I expect when I start using natural progesterone cream?- What are the side effects of bioidentical progesterone?
Hi. I’m 33, and for the past 3 months my periods have been on like an 18 day cycle. My husband and I are trying to conceive but no luck. The harder we try the more out of whack my system gets. I have two children already with no complications. The weird thing this month with my cycle is I started on the 8th of January, and if I had a 28 day cycle like before than it wasn’t due until the 18th. I felt like I was ovulating the entire 10 days before starting and the symptoms haven’t ceased since day one of my period and it’s day 4. Day one I barely bled, it looked like implantation bleeding. Day two was fairly light. Day three and presently day four is really heavy and clotty but I haven’t had the cramps nor do I have the pressure I normally feel in my vagina when standing. I still have swollen breast, and serious bloat. I even have crying spells and my emotions are out of whack. Should I worry about cervical cancer or early menopause???? I had a pap recently and it’s normal, like every year. Any advise would be appreciated. My doctor tries putting me on BC but I don’t like BC and most importantly we’re trying to have a baby. Thank you for any insight.
Have you tried the INTIMIA breast pillow? This pillow is simply amazing and has literally changed my life. I suffered terribly with tender/swollen and sore breasts during PMS and mensturation. It was a nightmare to fall asleep and stay asleep – I was dependant on medication until I found out about INTIMIA! wow – this pillow is just great as it’s lightweight/soft and luxurious feel comfortably separates the breasts, eliminating pressure and soreness. Everyone women should own one of these . Check it out at http://www.intimia.com
Terri maybe it’s like a sign that like you shouldn’t be like having so many like children. This planet is like overpopulated. Like. TWO IS ENOUGH!
My nipples r sore In the bottom of my stomach hurts some time I craves some food I sleep all-day, some days I snap
Well anonymous tipper…keep your bias opinions to yourself, its people like you who keep this world depressing…and could you sound more childish by saying like this, like that and like….seriously grow up, Terri’s living her life by looking forward to a better future…and Terri I hope things work out for you
How can i be pregnant after 1yr 4 months of miscarriage with different symptom every months thinking am pregnant but not advice me am 32 year
My left nipples has been hurting since last month, not both nipples. I’m trying to figure out what could be the cause of the pain. It’s real tender.. help