What are the modern methods, treatment of PMS - the topic of the article. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a general term meaning a complex of physical and emotional changes, which to some extent are observed in almost 80% of women of childbearing age. In most women, the symptoms of PMS that occur in the second half of the menstrual cycle are minimally expressed and are easily tolerated. However, in about 5% of cases, the physical and psychoemotional changes accompanying the approach of menstruation are so pronounced that they have a serious impact on everyday life, up to a significant disability.
Scientific recognition
PMS was seen as a real disease only in the last few decades. During this time, its prevalence has increased significantly. According to many researchers, this can be due to the modern way of life and the nature of nutrition. Girlfriend theory, in past centuries, a woman spent a significant part of her childbearing age in a state of pregnancy, which prevented the isolation of PMS as an independent symptom complex.
Prevalence of PMS
PMS can develop only if a woman has ovulation and menstruation. As a result of these processes, the egg leaves the ovary every month, and approximately two weeks later menstrual bleeding occurs. Thus, PMS can not be observed until puberty, during menopause or during pregnancy. PMS is more common in women aged 30 to 40, but can occur at any age, from adolescence to pre-retirement.
Predisposing factors include:
• the presence of a family history of PMS;
• recent childbirth or abortion;
• starting or stopping oral contraceptives;
• postpartum depression.
For many years, scientists are trying to find out the causes of PMS, but the exact etiology of this disease has not yet been revealed. The obvious connection between the onset of symptoms and the menstrual cycle suggests a certain role for fluctuations in the level of hormones.
Possible reasons
It is assumed that the severity of PMS symptoms can be affected by the following factors:
• imbalance of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone);
• increasing the level of prolactin (a hormone involved in the regulation of reproductive function and lactation);
• a decrease in serotonin levels, which contributes to an increase in the sensitivity of the body to fluctuations in the level of hormones.
The role of malnutrition, lack of nutrients and physical activity is also not excluded. It is believed that PMS develops under the influence of the aggregate of all these factors, although in each individual case its pathogenesis is individual.
Symptoms
According to modern ideas, there are more than 150 physical and emotional manifestations of PMS. The most typical of them are:
tenderness of the mammary glands;
• headache;
• edema;
• 3 bloating;
• Constipation or diarrhea;
• change in appetite; b back pain; skin rashes (for example, acne).
Somatic manifestations of PMS can cause a significant discomfort to a woman, but emotional changes can be even more depressing.
These include:
- emotional lability (mood swings), propensity to depression;
- irritability;
- decreased self-esteem;
- fatigue;
- impaired ability to concentrate.
Symptoms of PMS are so diverse that its diagnosis is based mainly on the time of their onset (the second half of the menstrual cycle). If the symptoms persist after the end of menstruation and at the beginning of the next menstrual cycle, the diagnosis of PMS is unlikely. Specific studies or laboratory tests that make it possible to diagnose PMS do not exist. However, in order to exclude other causes of the appearance of symptoms, for example, hormonal disorders, a thorough examination can be conducted.
Troubleshooting pms
When the diagnosis is made, the relationship between the onset of symptoms and the phase of the menstrual cycle is taken into account. The patient can record these data on their own for 3-4 months, and then show them to the doctor at the reception or use it for self-monitoring. To date, there are no specific treatments for ICP, but there are a number of measures that can help alleviate symptoms and significantly improve the quality of life of the patient.
Self-monitoring
Not every woman suffering from PMS needs medical care. Some patients note that the symptoms are significantly reduced or disappear with simple measures. The transition to a healthy diet with low fat and high fiber content (corresponds to a diet that is usually recommended for the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system and improvement of the general condition of the body). Fractional meals every three hours. It is noticed that the regular use of products containing complex carbohydrates, helps to reduce the manifestations of PMS. Regular exercise improves mood. The use of relaxation techniques, such as yoga or Chinese Tai Chi Chuan gymnastics, also benefits greatly.
• Restricting the use of caffeine and alcohol.
• Reception of food supplements containing vitamins
and microelements. There are descriptions of cases of significant alleviation of PMS symptoms on the background of ingestion of evening primrose oil and vitamin B1; in other sources, the beneficial effect of food additives with magnesium, calcium and zinc is reported. There is no single effective treatment regimen for PMS. If the change in diet and lifestyle does not bring improvement or the symptoms of the disease are pronounced, it is possible to use some medications:
• progesterone - is given in the form of rectal or vaginal suppositories;
can help reduce such manifestations of PMS as irritability, anxiety and engorgement of the mammary glands;
• tableted oral contraceptives - are prescribed to suppress ovulation; However, in some cases, their use leads to a worsening of the condition;
• Estrogen plasters - require simultaneous administration of small doses of progesterone to protect the endometrium;
• antidepressants - mainly from the group of serotonin reuptake inhibitors; contribute to the elimination of emotional manifestations of PMS;
• diuretics - effective in severe swelling;
• danazol and bromocriiptype - are sometimes used to reduce breast engorgement with PMS.
Reflexology, aromatherapy and herbal medicine are also considered as a means of combating PMS. Patients often use them if they think that the usual recommendations are ineffective or the doctor treats with insufficient understanding of their condition. Specialists in alternative methods of treatment usually have the opportunity to devote more time to the patient than an ordinary doctor, which is certainly their advantage.