Women's Health
Premenstrual Syndrome
Written by Mark Abell
Premenstrual Syndrome affects more than 70 percent of women. It's real, and it can be a pain. The syndrome has been well documented within medical literature and deserves more than merely a title. It deserves our attention.
For most women, the problems associated with the menstrual cycle become nothing more than a nuisance. It comes, and it goes, much like clockwork; and the majority of the symptoms of going through "cycle" bear witness to the fact that they remain fertile. Twenty percent or so, however, will go through severe symptoms. And for them, there may be help.
The majority of women who have problems with their menstrual cycles can attest to having some or all of the following symptoms: bloating and weight gain, emotional lability, headaches (usually migraine), acne, and joint pain. But, from the time of ovulation to menstruation, which is generally the middle of the cycle to the end, some women experience either more severe difficulties or an overbearing degree of the same symptoms, especially irritability; and nothing seems to be able to help. They feel lousy, have a low-self esteem, and want to crawl under a rock until it's all over. The pain is relentless. Weight gain seems to be making its rounds. And talk about nothing working. Life is not what it's supposed to be - at least not for those couple of days or so that seem to drag on for a week.
Well, the exact cause of the premenstrual syndrome is really not known. A couple of things have been postulated, such as water retention (which has an affect on the central nervous system as well as other organs), an excess amount of estrogen, and possibly even a deficiency in dopamine - a neurotransmitter - but no one cause has been shown. For starters, and trying to keep things simple, it is recommended that women restrict their salt intake and do more exercises; this help decrease the degree of water retention. When the body retains water, you might look at it like diluting the body, since nothing else is (also) being added. The electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium, are affected. These "electrolytes" are used by the body for a number of reasons; for example, if the amount of sodium in the body is depleted (lowered) compared to, for instance, that which is in the brain, there will be an adverse affect on behavior, amongst other things. The reason can be simply explained. The body is "looking" for equilibrium between two areas - the blood and inside the brain (for this example). If, as in the retention of water, the amount of "salt" is lowered outside of the brain, the brain will have more water drawn "into it", making the "system" unstable". The result - behavioral changes. Electrolytes are important. Take a little, add a little, and you can alter behavior, amongst other things. And this is just one reason for the "problems" associated with the cycle.
For women who experience severe "bloating" or a retention of water (fluid), diuretics are sometimes used and helpful. Caution should be used, however, when adding or suggesting the use of diuretics as they, like all drugs, have their side affects. A diuretic is a drug that will allow the passage of more fluid through the kidneys, thus eliminating some of the bloating. The diuretics work, sometimes, at the expense of yet other electrolytes, such as potassium. So, ask your doctor and use caution. They do work, but that doesn't mean that taking more than prescribed will help you. As in all medications, check with your own physician before changing the way they are used. For women with more severe problems, other than just bloating, the drug Pyridoxine is sometimes used. It is a cofactor in the synthesis of dopamine, which is one of the important neurotransmitters in the brain.
Although not entirely related to the premenstrual period, menstrual cramps is also a major complaint amongst women during the child bearing years. Long before Ibuprofen was released as a medication available over-the-counter, Motrin was used quite often for the relief of common cramps during the menstrual cycle. And it still is. In fact, Motrin (generic - Ibuprofen) remains the prototype medication for the treatment of such cramps and discomfort. Try it. As long as there isn't a history of ulcers, heartburn, or bleeding in the stomach, you can take one to three tablets (200 mg) three times a day with food. It works well.
For more information about the premenstrual syndrome, check out the following Internet URLs:
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