PMS and Mood Swings
Women are blessed with the gift of giving birth to a new life. But as with every blessing, this has a catch, reproduction in women is linked with the monthly process of menstruation. Menstruation refers to the biological phenomenon that occurs only in the female species of the human race. It signifies puberty in girls and is a sign that a girl is now a woman. The start of periods or the menstruation cycle is known as menarche. Menarche happens when the girl’s reproductive system has matured and starts working together. The uterus is the exclusive reproductive organ of the female body. The fallopian tubes and ovaries are associated with the uterus, that lies in the pelvic region of the abdomen. Every month a tiny egg is released by the ovaries, that travels down the fallopian tube and gets attached in the uterus. Hormone estrogen is released, that helps stimulate the uterus to make its wall thick by lining it with extra blood and tissue. It is a natural response to accommodate an embryo, if the egg gets fertilized by a sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterus sheds the egg, the extra blood and the tissue lining out of the body. This monthly shedding by the uterus through the vagina, is known as the menstruation cycle or menstruation period.
What is PMS and Mood Swings
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is seen when ovulation occurs and the start of menstruation. There are many symptoms of PMS that can be mild or very severe. PMS symptoms disrupt the personal and professional life of women for a few days, before the start of her periods. This emotional and physical disturbances are the body’s signal to a woman that she has ovulated and will be starting her monthly periods. PMS has over 150 recognized symptoms, and mood swings are a part of PMS.
PMS and mood swings are caused due to fluctuating levels of hormones in the body after ovulation. These fluctuating hormones cause the normal tenderness in breasts, bloating or headaches in women. It is seen that if there are below normal levels of serotonin, a chemical in the brain, it may result in symptoms other than physical, like mood swings.
Symptoms of PMS and Mood Swings
As mentioned above, there are number of symptoms that are associated with PMS and mood swings. These symptoms vary in duration and severity from cycle to cycle and woman to woman. The following are the common symptoms associated with PMS and mood swings.
Anxiety
Tension
Feeling of anger
Depression for no apparent reason
Feeling of crying
Oversensitivity to minor issues
Exaggerated mood swings
Changes in sexual desires
Loss of attention
Confusion
Forgetfulness
Difficulty to concentrate
Becoming clumsy or having butter fingers
There are a few common physical symptoms associated with PMS like:
Breast tenderness
Bloating
Swelling in arms and legs
Migraines
Back pain
Temporary insomnia
Energy level changes
Nausea
Acne
Weight gain
Change of appetite and craving for certain foods
PMS and mood swings can be easily distinguished from other similar psychological and physiological symptoms in other clinical illnesses. PMS and mood swings are seen only during ovulation and before the start of the menstruation cycle. The rest of the days are symptom free.
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