nursing faculty

2. Definition and Introduction…
 Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a condition that affects a
woman’s emotions, physical health, and behavior during
certain days of the menstrual cycle, generally just before her
menses.
 PMS is a very common condition. Its symptoms affect up to 85
percent of menstruating women. It must impair some aspect of
your life for your doctor to diagnose you.
 PMS symptoms start five to 11 days before menstruation and
typically go away once menstruation begins. The cause of PMS
is unknown.

3. causes
 Risk factors for premenstrual syndrome include:
 a history of depression or mood disorders, such
as postpartum depression or bipolar disorder
 a family history of PMS
 a family history of depression
 domestic violence
 substance abuse
 physical trauma
 emotional trauma

4. Causes…
 Associated conditions include:
 dysmenorrhea
 major depressive disorder
 seasonal affective disorder
 generalized anxiety disorder
 schizophrenia

5. Symptoms…
 The symptoms of PMS include:
 abdominal bloating
 abdominal pain
 sore breasts
 acne
 food cravings, especially for sweets
 constipation
 diarrhea
 headaches
 sensitivity to light or sound
 fatigue

6. Symptoms…
 Emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms
 Tension or anxiety
 Depressed mood
 Crying spells
 Mood swings and irritability or anger
 Appetite changes and food cravings
 Trouble falling asleep (insomnia)
 Social withdrawal
 Poor concentration
 Change in libido

7. Diagnosis….
 Your doctor must also rule out other causes, such
as:
 anemia
 endometriosis
 thyroid disease
 irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
 chronic fatigue syndrome
 connective tissue or rheumatologic diseases
 Pelvic exam

8. Easing the symptoms..
 drinking plenty of fluids to ease abdominal bloating
 eating a balanced diet to improve your overall health and energy
level, which means eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and
reducing your intake of sugar, salt, caffeine, and alcohol
 taking supplements, such as folic acid, vitamin B-6, calcium,
and magnesium to reduce cramps and mood swings
 taking vitamin D to reduce symptoms
 sleeping at least eight hours per night to reduce fatigue
 exercising to decrease bloating and improve your mental health
 reducing stress, such as through exercising and reading
 going to cognitive behavioral therapy, which has been shown to
be effective