Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a disorder that is disruptive in nature because symptoms (physical, emotional and psychological) can make it difficult to handle normal daily tasks. Women with PMS need a guideline to handling PMS successfully and if you continue reading this article you may get some very helpful tidbits of information about what PMS is and how to successfully handle the symptoms of PMS.

During the two weeks prior to menses also called the Luteal phase of the menstrual period a woman may experience one or more symptoms in a group of symptoms referred to as PMS. Out of the 40 million who suffer from PMS approximately 5 million of them require medical treatment in order to handle the symptoms successfully. The balance of them has mild symptoms that do not require treatment or use home remedies to help relieve the symptoms they experience.

There are over 150 symptoms classified as PMS symptoms that a woman may experience. When a woman has PMS those around her may hear her describe herself as being “out-of-control”, or feeling anxious, or she may exhibit signs of depression. She may have uncontrolled crying spells, or complain of having headaches or being fatigued. She may have different symptoms each month and even different intensities of symptoms, one month having mild cramping and the next month experience severe cramping. Her symptoms may be a combination of physical, emotional and psychological ones that can make diagnosing PMS difficult.

There is however, a regular pattern of symptoms that are seen in the two-week period prior to the beginning of menses. Most cases of PMS begin at puberty, after a pregnancy, after starting birth control pills, or after a hormone related surgery such as a tubal ligation or hysterectomy, or it may start around the onset of menopause. All of these different starting events have hormones in common which is why scientists theorize that the cause of PMS may be connected to, or triggered by hormonal changes.

There are studies being conducted to try to figure out not only the cause(s) of PMS but to answer questions such as why some women experience severe symptoms and others have only mild symptoms? Why do some women experience headaches with their PMS and others experience migraines?

Knowing all of the above is it any wonder that women have a difficult time handling PMS successfully?

The best way that a woman can deal with and handle the symptoms of PMS is to first of all learn all she can about PMS. Arm herself with an arsenal of information so that she does not feel alone in her suffering. There is data out there about the symptoms she is experiencing. They are known symptoms of PMS and they are not, all in her head as some people might have her believe. PMS is a real disorder that can be diagnosed and treated. She can locate a knowledgeable doctor who can diagnose her with PMS and help her to design a treatment plan that will more than likely be a combination of diet changes, exercise, medication and maybe even some alternative treatments that can bring her relief from her symptoms.

Another very helpful tool that she can utilize to help her handle her PMS better is to be involved in support groups for women with PMS. When she is able to communicate with others suffering the same disorder, she will not feel alone and she can be empowered to learn ways of handling PMS successfully.