Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) used to be called Premenstrual Tension (PMT) and is a collection of approximately 150 symptoms that women have once a month just prior to having her menstrual flow of blood. The symptoms may be predictable each month but may vary in intensity. The symptoms usually start when the ova (egg) are released and stop shortly after the blood flows. A small percentage of women who have PMS have the symptoms so severely that they are said to have premenstrual dysphoric disorder which is a severe form of PMS. Women who have PMS have a great deal of difficulties with menses.

There are more than 150 different symptoms associated with PMS but the main ones are abdominal bloating, abdominal cramping, acne, stress or anxiety, aggression, insomnia, or trouble staying asleep, joint or muscle pain, headaches even migraines, crying spells, unpredictable bursts of anger, extreme mood swings. The onset of PMS symptoms may also make other medical conditions worse including skin disorders, respiratory problems, allergies, infections, or eye problems such as bulbar disturbances, conjunctivitis.

There are some risk factors that if you are aware of them and avoid them you may be able to decrease the intensity at which the symptoms are felt or you may be able to avoid the PMS symptoms altogether.

> Drinking or eating large quantities of caffeine

> Increasing age

> Having given birth

> Extreme Stress

> A History of depression

> Smoking

> Family history

> Lacking in proper diet

> Lacking in proper exercise

> Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals

It is difficult to make a diagnosis because there is no test to determine PMS. Basically the list of symptoms is what will help the doctor to diagnosis the diseases.

Certain conditions may be worse when PMS is present such as allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines and seizure disorders.

There are many different treatment that are designed to bring relief of the symptoms of PMS to those who suffer from it. The treatments include:

Hormonal intervention by using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Dietary reduction of caffeine, refined sugar and sodium intake from the diet at the same time that fiber is increased.

The individual must receive adequate amounts of sleep each night.

Exercise also helps especially aerobic exercise.

Vitamin and mineral supplements such as calcium supplements, Vitamin B6, magnesium, manganese, tryptophan

Drugs such as fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, clomipramine, fluvoxamine, and also nefadozone.

Some doctors prescribe hormonal replacement therapy such as combined oral contraceptive pill and the contraceptive patch, Progesterone support in the form of suppositories and vaginal creams.

Evening Primrose Oil, gamma-Linolenic acid and clonidine have been used with success.

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