PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME; Understanding the mood changes.

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My favorite genres when it comes to movies, novels, poetry and music has always been romance, even as a writer I preferred writing love stories and poetry but the older I got I quickly started to recognize changes. Some days I found myself curled up in bed bawling my eyes out while watching a movie or reading a book, sometimes I was irritated by the cast or characters, while somedays I completely wasn't interested in even having the TV on. Soon other aspects of my life followed suit and I could almost assume I needed to see a therapist or a psychiatrist, infact I was completely convinced I was bipolar. But of course there was a pattern, one I hadn't recognized and wasn't even aware was a possibility.

When one hears the term premenstrual syndrome (PMS) they tend to only attribute it to the pain and physical changes that accompany it while totally ignoring the psychological symptoms attached as well. With a constant change in hormone levels throughout the cycle we cannot rule out the possibilities of a change in mood as we are hormonal beings and must succumb to its needs -sometimes-. This is not to say we have little or no control over these changes in mood but the first step is always acceptance.

From my previous post on understanding the menstrual cycle, we can easily notice a constant surge and fall in different hormone levels as the cycle progresses. A few days to the menstruation phase -the first phase of the menstrual cycle- and up to the third or fourth day during this phase you might recognize a negative change in mood characterized by irritation, appetite changes, depressed mood, withdrawal, poor concentration and low libido (low sex drive), this is also accompanied with pains at the joints and abdomen, bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain, acne etc.

Women have also reported to feeling their prettiest during the ovulation phase as opposed to the menstruation phase and the day's leading on to it - luteal phase-

Moving foward in the cycle, during the follicular phase as estrogen levels increases our mood changes positively and energy levels begin to rise, you feel more energetic and inspired. As these hormones continues to rise and peak on ovulation so also the positive feelings and an increase in libido. Women have also reported to feeling their prettiest during this phase as opposed to the menstruation phase and the day's leading on to it - luteal phase-. During the luteal phase, estrogen levels begin to drop and so d the energy level, feelings of fatigue, irritation and mood swings begin to show as well as other physical and pain related symptoms.

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While some may think this to be abnormal, a larger percentage of women experience such changes during their cycle. However we must remember that although these symptoms are real, certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the negative aspects that comes with it such as dietary changes, exercise and some medications if need be. Also a more severe form of PMS is referred to as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and one is advised to see a doctor if the above listed symptoms are severly expressed for proper diagnosis and treatments.

In coming posts, I will be focusing on those lifestyle changes that could help reduce PMS and allow us experience a more beautiful life as women.

In summary, premenstrual syndrome is usually expirienced by a larger majority of women and occurs between the ovulation and menstrual phase of a menstrual cycle. It is characterized by abdominal pains, joint pains, tender breasts, food cravings, mood swings, acne, fatigue, irritability -and the list goes on-. Most times, this condition is constantly overlooked or joked about and hence isn't taken seriously, however it can be a sourse of discomfort or worry for some women and in severe cases can turn into PMDD. This goes to throw more light on the importance of charting your cycles and understanding the moods and symptoms accompanying each stage.

PS. I would be posting steps or guides that could be employed in charting your menstrual cycles as this knowledge can be used in planning or avoiding pregnancy among other benefits, so stay tuned!!