We call a set of premenstrual syndrome physical and psychological signs recurring female menstrual cycle related. These signs of PMS occur before and during menstruation , then disappear for at least a week later. They must occur in several successive cycles. Otherwise , it speaks only of premenstrual symptoms.
Americans have individualized psychiatric syndrome for mental disorders PMS: premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) , they have included in their classification of psychiatric illnesses in 1994.
What are the risks and health significance of premenstrual syndrome?
If 50 to 80% of women between puberty and menopause suffer from premenstrual symptoms , more or less frequent and severe. Suffers only a small part of a syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or 3-6% of all menstruating women (Anne Gompel).
According to the study Cocoon (Women's Health , 2009) , premenstrual syndrome as defined medical affects almost 13% of women and 4% severe. But one year , severely affected women generally are more , and those who did not complain one year before describing this a year later. This is a transient syndrome and more variable than a disease.
Premenstrual syndrome is associated with more divorces , professional and academic failures or poorer performance. It causes a lot of absenteeism and loss of transient and recurrent activity. Its impact on quality of life can be very high , but totally neglected.
What are the causes of PMS?
It would be a disturbance multi-organ related to sudden hormonal changes during ovulation. An argument in this regard is that the symptoms disappear during pregnancy and menopause , and do not exist before puberty. Hormone levels are not the only cause , the sensitivity and the number of receptors for these hormones are probably a major part in the various manifestations of premenstrual syndrome.
Estrogen-progestin contraceptive (pill) in blocking ovulation , hormonal changes removes her , but the therapeutic benefit of PMS is not insured , it may be necessary to try several pills before finding the right one.
Estradiol and progesterone affect the movements of the water in the body and cortisol , as well as the brain. Estrogens stimulate serotonin (neurohormone welfare) and catecholamines (up and general activity) , they promote neuronal stability. Progesterone , it inhibits the activity of neurons in general and its metabolites (products of its chemical degradation) have a variety of actions that could explain a part of severe premenstrual syndrome.
Involvement of genes is also very likely , since the twins suffer the same way.
You should also know: the link between premenstrual dysphoric syndrome and major depression was found.
What are the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome?
The symptoms vary in intensity from one woman to another , but are quite similar in general.
- Physical disorders: swelling of the abdomen and / or breasts , headaches , weight gain (water retention) , sleep disorders or compulsions for sweet ...
- Psychological disorders: fatigue , anxiety , difficulty concentrating , feeling of being overwhelmed , loss of self-control , aggression , sadness , apathy , lack of motivation , depression ...
These symptoms all have in common the time of their appearance before menstruation and disappear during the following week.
Positive diagnosis is made when a woman has at least five signs every month for a year , always before and during menstruation and a symptom-free interval after menstruation.
Tables are available from self-gynecologists to grade the severity of symptoms and determine precisely the extent of the disease.
