The list of potential signs and symptoms for Premenstrual Syndrome is long, but most women only experience a few of these problems. Meaning, if you haven’t been able to manage your premenstrual syndrome with lifestyle changes and the symptoms of PMS are affecting your health and daily activities, see your doctor.
To enumerate, Menstruation Cycle is a normal process that females undergo hormonal changes. Whereby, their bodies prepare for a potential pregnancy. Not to mention, a woman would experience various symptoms as an indication of the start of her menstruation period/cycle.
Although everyone has gone through the process of puberty regardless of gender, the transition is different between girls and boys. In girls, entering puberty would mean having the monthly period wherein blood comes out through a girl’s vagina.
Basically, your menstrual cycle can say a lot about your health. And therefore, understanding how to start tracking your menstrual cycle and what to do about irregularities is of great importance.
So, in that case, Do you know when your last menstrual period began or how long it lasted? If not, it might be time to start paying attention.
Why is Menstruation important?
Simply, because you’ll be able to understand more about what’s normal or not for you during your ovulation time and identify important changes. Such as a missed period or unpredictable menstrual bleeding. And while menstrual cycle irregularities usually aren’t serious, sometimes they can signal health problems.
By definition, menstruation — aka having your period — is when blood and tissue from your uterus come out of your vagina. It usually happens every month. Menstruation can be unpredictable which would lead to possible future frustrations.
So, you should prepare yourself, through knowledge and the right menstrual utilities to avoid complications and problems. Your menstrual cycle helps your body prepare for pregnancy every month. It also makes you have a period if you’re not pregnant.
Important to realize, your menstruation cycle and period are controlled by hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Not forgetting, you have 2 ovaries, and each one holds a bunch of eggs. And these eggs are super tiny — too small to see with the naked eye. Learn more about What is the Menstruation Cycle?
What is Premenstrual Syndrome?
Premenstrual Syndrome are symptoms that a woman may have to deal with days before her actual period. Whereby, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) has a wide variety of signs and symptoms. Including mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability, and depression.
It’s estimated that as many as 3 of every 4 menstruating women have experienced some form of premenstrual syndrome. Symptoms tend to recur in a predictable pattern. But, the physical and emotional changes you experience with premenstrual syndrome may vary. From just slightly noticeable all the way to intense.
And although some women/girls do experience irregular periods, it’s still normal. Not unless there are symptoms that would show otherwise. Also, know that not all the menstrual cycle is regular.
The length of a woman’s menstrual cycle is different from one woman to another, which can vary from 23 to 35 days. So, if your friend’s menstruation length is short and yours is longer, you should not worry about it since it is all normal. Still, you don’t have to let these problems control your life.
What are the Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome?
Exactly what causes premenstrual syndrome is unknown, but several factors may contribute to the condition:
- Cyclic changes in hormones. Signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome change with hormonal fluctuations and disappear with pregnancy and menopause.
- Chemical changes in the brain. Fluctuations of serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that are thought to play a crucial role in mood states, could trigger PMS symptoms. Insufficient amounts of serotonin may contribute to premenstrual depression, as well as fatigue, food cravings, and sleep problems.
- Depression. Some women with severe premenstrual syndrome have undiagnosed depression, though depression alone does not cause all of the symptoms.
PMDD signs and symptoms include depression, mood swings, anger, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, difficulty concentrating, irritability and tension. A small number of women with premenstrual syndrome have disabling symptoms every month. This form of PMS is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Below are examples of emotional, behavioral and even physical signs and symptoms;
Emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms;
- Tension or anxiety
- Depressed mood
- Crying spells
- Mood swings and irritability or anger
- Appetite changes and food cravings
- Trouble falling asleep (insomnia)
- Social withdrawal
- Poor concentration
- Change in libido
Physical signs and symptoms;
- Joint or muscle pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Weight gain related to fluid retention
- Abdominal bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Acne flare-ups
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Alcohol intolerance
For some, the physical pain and emotional stress are severe enough to affect their daily lives. Regardless of symptom severity, the signs and symptoms generally disappear within four days of the start of the menstrual period for most women.
What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?
In reality, there is about 85 percent of women that experience premenstrual syndrome. And also, there are a few that have more severe symptoms to the point of work or personal relationship disruption.
Preferably, this is known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). If you are wondering how you will deal with this, then here are some tips to help you alleviate the symptoms.
Including;
- Exercising
- Small and frequent meals
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and sweets
- Calcium supplements
- Stress management
Generally, treatments and lifestyle adjustments can help you reduce or manage the signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Learn more about When to See a Doctor and Treating Menstruation Problems with Chinese Medicine.
How can I Track my Menstrual Cycle?
To find out what’s normal for you, start keeping a record of your menstrual cycle on a calendar. Begin by tracking your start date every month for several months in a row to identify the regularity of your periods.
If you’re concerned about your periods, then also make note of the following every month:
- End date. How long does your period typically last? Is it longer or shorter than usual?
- Flow. Record the heaviness of your flow. Does it seem lighter or heavier than usual? How often do you need to change your sanitary protection? Have you passed any blood clots?
- Abnormal bleeding. Are you bleeding in between periods?
- Pain. Describe any pain associated with your period. Does the pain feel worse than usual?
- Other changes. Have you experienced any changes in mood or behavior? Did anything new happen around the time of change in your periods?
For some women, the use of birth control pills can help regulate menstrual cycles. Treatment for any underlying problems, such as an eating disorder, also might help. However, some menstrual irregularities can’t be prevented.
What are Menstrual Cups?
A menstrual cup is a type of reusable feminine hygiene product. It’s a small, flexible funnel-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone that you insert into your vagina to catch and collect period fluid. Cups can hold more blood than other methods.
Leading many women to use them as an eco-friendly alternative to tampons. And depending on your flow, you can wear a cup for up to 12 hours. And as an example, it would be Menstrual Cups like the DaisyCup. However, for starters, menstrual cups are those flexible cups that could fit inside your vagina. Generally, collecting the blood during the period.
After all, your tampons or pads may make you feel uncomfortable, but with menstrual cups, you will feel like you are not wearing any menstrual tool at all. What’s more, is that this product is cost-saver since it can be reused for 2-4 years or a max of 10 years!
Available brands of reusable cups include the Keeper Cup, Moon Cup, Lunette Menstrual Cup, DivaCup, Lena Cup, and Lily Cup. There are also a few disposable menstrual cups on the market, such as the Instead Softcup.
Takeaway,
As can be seen, your period will be present in your life until your late 40’s, which is why it is necessary for you to know a lot about the menstruation cycle. So that you are well aware and prepared enough for what’s next.
But remember, if you think that there’s unusual with your period, do not delay your checkup and go to your doctor.
Check out on this app, which makes it easy to chart your cycle and figure out your fertile days.
Resources,
I hope you enjoyed reading the revised guide above on how to maintain your periods, therefore, help us share with other readers online.
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All in all, below are more useful and related topic links;
- Periodontitis Symptoms & Causes
- 6 Ways to Keep Your Gums Healthy
- Daisy Menstrual Cup: Your Period
- The menstrual cycle: more than just your period
- How to Deal with a Period in Elementary School
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