Where To Find PMS Information
Experiencing erratic moodiness each month can sure make you feel crazy! Perhaps you snapped at your spouse with bitter, nasty comments -- only to wonder, "Why did I just say that? Why am I picking fights and overreacting? Of course I know he loves me!" Or you might find yourself crying and feeling horribly depressed the days before your menstrual phase each month. It doesn't take long before you start to wonder if there is some effective PMS relief that you just don't know about. Read on to learn about a few great resources for additional PMS information.
At www.mayoclinic.com, you can get all the basic PMS information, such as the definition, the symptoms, causes, when to seek treatment, how to prepare for a doctor's appointment, tests and diagnosis, treatments and drugs, lifestyle changes and alternative medicine. You'll get expertise from more than 3,400 physicians and scientists. The Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice bringing you information on nearly every complex illness. This vast encyclopedia is a reliable source for sexual health information.
Another great source of premenstrual syndrome facts is Medline Plus at www.nlm.nih.gov. There are currently 81 different search results for PMS, such as the Mayo Clinic, Women's Health, Clinical Trials, the American College of OBGYNs, the Nemours Foundation, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Dietetic Association, the National Women's Health Information Center and many others. You can also find an easy overview of PMS at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/premenstrualsyndrome.html, which includes treatments, clinical trials and journal articles about all the latest research.
For more PMS information, you should read the article titled, "Is PMDD Real?" published by The American Psychological Association in 2002. You can find a copy of this article at www.apa.org/monitor/oct02/pmdd.aspx. The commentary discusses the 3-9% of women who suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a type of severe PMS that interrupts daily functioning. Here you'll read about both sides of the story and learn how the condition is precisely defined. You'll hear the feminist argument but also learn about medical treatments proposed to treat the very real medical symptoms.
Related topics about PMS Information
PMS Depression Is A Serious Concern
The relationship between depression and PMS is complex, researchers feel, because the changing hormones during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may trigger underlying mood disorders or may simply be the mood disorder. Because of this uncertainty and the stigmas associated with depression, many women feel ashamed or embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with a doctor. However, if a patient is experiencing loss of motivation, loss of appetite, insomnia, excessive sleeping, extreme nervousness, a disinterest in daily activities or feelings of worthlessness, then it's important to see a doctor.
Managing YOur PMS Symptoms
The prognosis for women who suffer from PMS symptoms is pretty good if treated by making conscientious lifestyle modifications or taking a hormone-balancing medication. Many women who originally went to their doctors for PMS relief found that they actually had a more pervasive form of depression. In that case, it is especially important to seek treatment.
What Is PMS?
What is PMS but an imbalance of your body's hormones and chemicals? As you know, diet contributes significantly to how we think, act and feel. Doctors recommend limiting salt, as sodium contributes to water retention, bloating and weight gain. To keep your blood sugar levels (and moods) stable, you should eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and limit your sugar intake.