PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)
- Variety of symptoms that some females experience
- Occurs before the menstrual period
- 2 weeks – couple days before period
- Some females never experience PMS
Symptoms
- Nervous tension, anxiety, irritability, Bloating, weight gain, depression/mood swings, fatigue
Causes aren’t completely understood…
- More common in 30’s women
- Related to hormone imbalance
- Nutritional deficiency
Treatment
- Change in diet & exercise
- Serious cases
- Consult with doctor and follow the prescriptions exactly (eg: antidepressant drugs)
Dysmenorrhea
- Aka “menstrual cramps”
- Painful contractions in the uterus
- Usually mild – lasting several hours
- More painful cramping lasting 1-2 days is normal
Treatment
- Light exercise
- OTC pain reliever can help (except aspirin!)
- Warm bath/heating pad may relax muscles
* Severe or persistent cramping may be an indication that medical attention is necessary*
Amenorrhea
- Lack of menstruation by age 16 or stopping of menstrual cycle in a female who previously menstruated
- Cause
- Physical defects in sex organs
- Diseases
- Diabetes
- Tumors
- Infections
- Lack of maturation of the endocrine system
- Excessive athletic activities
- Emotional distress
- Eating disorders/starvation