$Unique_ID{BRK00781}
$Pretitle{Genitourinary System}
$Title{Does Premenstrual Syndrome Occur Only With Crampy and Painful Periods?}
$Subject{premenstrual stress symptoms PMS}
$Volume{J-23}
$Log{
The Menstrual Cycle*0009101.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Does Premenstrual Syndrome Occur Only With Crampy and Painful Periods?


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QUESTION:  When I am about to have my period, I know it because I get tired,
depressed and just can't sleep.  And it always seems worse when I am under
some type of stress at work.  I think I have Premenstrual Syndrome, but my
girl friend says that only comes when your periods are crampy and painful.
Can you help us clear up this difference in opinions?

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ANSWER:  It may be easier to clear up your conflicting viewpoints, that it is
to deal with your condition, which seems to be Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).
The symptoms of this condition may vary greatly from individual to individual,
but usually include depression, irritability, nervousness, agitation, insomnia
and fatigue.  Any type of mood alteration may occur, and recent research
reveals that stressful conditions at work or at home, can increase the
severity of the symptoms, and so your symptoms may change from month to month
depending upon conditions.  However your girl friend is wrong about the
symptoms of cramps and pain that may start with the flow of menses.  That is
called dysmenorrhea, or painful periods, and does not have to be present to
make a diagnoses of PMS, although it is common in women with PMS and begins
during their teens and diminishes with age.  However PMS may start in the
teens and twenties and seems to increase in severity with the passing years.
Dealing with the symptoms of the condition depends upon the causes, which may
be many and complicated.  If there is an evident increase of weight due to
fluid retention, cutting back on salt and the use of a diuretic (water pill)
may be helpful.  In your case, you might consider counseling, and a stress
reduction program seems indicated.  Some women respond to the use of hormones,
and birth control pills, while still others may require the use of mild
tranquilizers, when other methods fail to control the symptoms during this
time of the month, and when their life style is markedly disturbed.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
