Related articles: Premenstrual syndrome
Definition
Premenstrual syndrome is a complex of objective and subjective symptoms that occurs from one to two weeks before the menstrual flow. The intensity and frequency of these symptoms is also quite variable, affecting most of the female population in various ways.Unfortunately, in some women the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome reach such intensity that they interfere with normal daily activities.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Acne
- Aggression
- Anorexia
- Asthenia
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Decline in sexual desire
- Swollen ankles
- Abdominal cramps
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- dysphoria
- Dehydration
- Dismennorea
- Abdominal distention
- Mood disorders
- Kidney pain
- Ovarian pain
- Articolar pains
- Muscle pains
- Edema
- Swollen legs
- Abdominal swelling
- Breast swelling
- Insomnia
- hyperphagia
- Nervousness
- Swollen and tired feet
- Water retention
- Mood swings
- Foam in urine
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue with spasms (spasmophilia)
- Sweating
- Night sweats
Further indications
However, the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are extremely variable and difficult to assess in their entity; for example, although the list is particularly long (mood swings, food cravings, tiredness, irritability, breast tenderness, depression, abdominal swelling, swollen legs, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, changes in appetite, eating disorders, headache, acne, water retention, anxiety, weight gain, muscle or joint pain, behavioral disorders), most women complain of only part of these disorders. Moreover, in most women the symptoms of the menstrual syndrome disappear as soon as menstruation arrives, to then recur with a certain systematicity before the beginning of the new cycle. Although the milder forms can be considered praphysiological, when the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome become particularly intense it is necessary to intervene first of all with in-depth diagnostic investigations. If the diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome is confirmed, the pharmacological treatment can use hormonal therapies (oral contraceptives), painkillers, anti-inflammatories and antidepressants. To alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in less severe cases, and as a support to drug therapy, dietary correction (reduction of salt and increase of fluids due to water retention problems, consumption of at least 4-5 servings per of plant foods, possibly accompanied by a multivitamin, and reduction of alcohol, coffee and chocolate consumption) and behavioral (reduction of stress, with increased physical activity and greater attention to the needs of one's body, such as adequate night rest) ). On the herbal front, some herbal teas can be of some help in alleviating the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (see dedicated article), given that even their simple preparation represents a renewed gesture of attention to one's body.
