What if women were elevated to a lofty position during their menses? A review of PMS

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a recurrent syndrome tied to the menstrual cycle of up to 40% of menstruating women.  PMS is defined by its cyclical nature, beginning seven to fourteen days prior to the onset of the menstrual cycle, and usually resolving within a few days of menstruation.  There are over 150 possible physical and behavioral symptoms associated with PMS, with the most severe cases occurring in 2% to 5% of women between 26 and 35 years of age.  Symptoms are easily described by most women experiencing this well recognized condition, but the actual etiology of the syndrome remains elusive.  Despite this fact, there are a variety of treatments available that prove effective for many women.

Symptoms
PMS can develop at anytime in a menstruating woman’s life, although the risk is greater in younger women.  Women are also at increased risk if their mother had PMS, they have given birth to several children, they live a sedentary lifestyle, or they experience high stress.  Once PMS develops it is often persistent, although the symptom complex may vary.  The most common symptoms include breast tenderness, fluid retention, weight gain, acne, abdominal bloating, irritability, depression, anxiety, nervousness, mood swings, low self esteem, social isolation, low libido, lethargy and fatigue, insomnia, headache, joint pain, back pain, constipation, diarrhea, clumsiness, and increased appetite coupled with food cravings, typically sweet and salty foods.  Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a more serious manifestation of a symptom complex which includes physical symptoms, but focuses more on the behavioral aspects of PMS.  The symptoms must occur cyclically and be serious enough to interfere with a woman’s normal activities.