What is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is now widely recognised as a medical condition that affects some women of childbearing age in many ways. Premenstrual syndrome is related to menstrual hormones and can present itself with physical and psychological symptoms.
Known Causes 
Further research is still needed into the exact cause of PMS, but there is strong evidence that the symptoms are related to changes in hormone levels experienced throughout the monthly cycle.
Premenstrual syndrome visually increases in severity when there are alterations in hormone levels such as during puberty. following childbirth, after a miscarriage or termination, when starting or stopping the contraceptive pill, or even occasionally after a hysterectomy. If you have suffered from postnatal illness, you are also more likely to suffer from PMS. It often becomes more severe as women enter their late thirties and forties; however, any woman of childbearing age can stiffer from it.
PMS sometimes seems to run in families, but a genetic link has not been established. If you feel able to talk to other members of your family about your PMS, you may find that they also suffer and have found some treatment that has helped them.
The only way that you will be able to tell if you definitely have PMS is by recording your symptoms on a menstrual chart. If you are uncertain whether you are suffering from PMS. You should complete the chart for at least three consecutive months. It is also a good idea to take your completed menstrual chart to your GP.
Symptoms of PMS
There are over 150 symptoms associated with PMS and the number and type of symptoms suffered varies from person to person. The severity of the symptoms can also vary each month. Among the most commonly experienced are:
-Bloating Headaches Irritability
-Weight gain Skin problems mood swings and depression
-Aggression Fatigue Breast tenderness
-Poor concentration Tearfulness The feeling of being misunderstood
Others include tension, anger, anxiety. panic attacks, mental confusion .sinus problems asthma, epilepsy, styes, acne, alcohol abuse, craving for sweet things, binge eating and backache.
No woman experiences all of these symptoms and the most important factor is their timing. The symptoms are present at some time in the second half, or luteal phase, of the menstrual cycle. The symptoms then disappear or significantly improve either on the first day of your period or after the day when the flow is heaviest. You should then be symptom-free for a few days, although it could be as few as three days if the cycle is very short. If you experience symptoms during these few days, it is unlikely that you are suffering from PMS and you should visit your doctor so that a cause can he found and the appropriate treatment given. | 
