What are PMS and PMDD?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of disruptive symptoms that occur in a significant number of women up to 14 days before their period begins. The symptoms, triggered by hormonal changes, affect an estimated 40 million women, with more than 5 million requiring medical treatment. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a more severe form of PMS.
Most women feel some discomfort before their periods. if you have PMS, you may feel so anxious, depressed or uncomfortable that you can't cope at home or at work. Some common symptoms of PMS are listed below.
| Physical Symptoms | Psychological Symptoms |
| Breast tenderness (mastodynia) | Irritability |
| Cramping | Angry outbursts |
| Swollen hands or feet | Low self-esteem |
| Headaches | Anxiety |
| Weight gain | Confusion |
| Bloated abdomen | Difficulty concentrating |
| Constipation | Mood swings |
| Joint pain | Crying spells |
| Fatigue | Decreased libido |
| Acne | Depression |
| | |
Symptoms usually stop or taper off soon after your period begins, and you may be symptom free until about two weeks before your next period.
Many different causes (etiologies) have been proposed for PMS. These include nutritional deficiencies in magnesium and/or vitamin B6, hormonal changes, neurotransmitter activity, diet, and stress.
Zenstral works on several of the biochemical mechanisms that contribute to PMS.
Read the science.
