We all know PMS.
So you’ve heard of PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome, which are the symptoms both emotional and physical that appear with each menstrual cycle, we all know about this, all women experience some form during their lifetime.
Just in case we need a refresher on PMS:
The symptoms can occur about one or two weeks before bleeding and stops when the period begins. There are a number of different symptoms, they can range from physical and the emotional, including mood swings, irritability, anxiety, stress, and gloominess. Other physical symptoms include breast tenderness, bloating, acne, and aches. Most symptoms will reoccur over time, and women all have different symptoms.
Some women may have severe emotional stresses or anxieties during that time of the month, but others might just experience a craving for sugar. If it messes with your daily life, then this is considered a premenstrual syndrome.
PMS can also change as you get older. The symptoms can shift as your body continues to change. One way to look at it is to ask if these changes cause problems with work or your family once a month, and do they affect you in the week before your period. Then, it’s PMS.
There are all kinds of emotional signs of PMS:
- feeling gloomy
- crying
- mood swings
- anger
- stressed out
- feeling out of control
- not wanting to be around friends or family
- trouble sleeping
- anxiety
- irritability
It’s hard to know sometimes when you’re PMS-ing, but here are some ideas to help you feel a little better during that time of the month:
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day
- Eat healthy foods like vegetables and whole grains
- Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol
- Try to get more sleep
- Take clinically supported Jubilance (oxaloacetate) once a day, every day of the month
So what exactly is PMDD?
PMDD stands for premenstrual dysphoric disorder and it is a severe form of PMS. PMDD is said to affect between 2-6% of women and can disrupt women’s lives completely. It is a disorder that occurs in the luteal phase of the cycle, about six days before menstruation and the symptoms don’t stop until the end of bleeding.
PMDD is a crippling disorder that causes extreme depression that interferes with day-to-day life. It is a chronic condition that continues to occur every month and is hard to treat.
What is the difference between PMS & PMDD?
PMS is also linked with the luteal phase within the four phases of the menstrual cycle, but exactly how it happens isn’t completely figured out yet. Scientists believe that changing hormone levels are an important factor, like the loss of progesterone, which is a depressant for the central nervous system, but so far there isn’t conclusive evidence on the causes of PMS.
PMDD is also a biological phenomenon; it is a severe and chronic medical condition that needs attention and treatment. Like PMS, the exact cause of PMDD is not known, but it may be a reaction to normal hormone changes in the menstrual cycle.
The biggest factor that distinguishes PMDD from PMS is that when the symptoms start it affects one’s ability to function at home, at work, and in relationships. It is a severe form of PMS and requires treatment from a doctor. It is also distinguished by how long the symptoms last.
