What is PMS?
Do you become very emotional right before your period begins? Do you drop things more, crave sweets or salty foods, or gain weight? Do your friends and family hide from you when it's "that time?"
You're not crazy, and you're not alone. You are suffering from premenstrual syndrome, or as it's more commonly known, PMS. While many women experience only a few symptoms, there are over 150 different physical and psychological symptoms associated with PMS. It affects roughly 90 percent of menstruating women, though only 10 percent have severe symptoms. Symptoms usually start within 10 days of the start of your period and stop or improve when your menstrual flow (bleeding) starts.
Most women successfully manage their symptoms with a combination of education and lifestyle changes. There are some home remedies that can help lessen PMS-associated discomfort. For women suffering severe symptoms, there is hope. Talk with your primary healthcare practitioner about some of the new treatments.
