Premenstrual Syndrome

Posted by Health

PMS is no laughing matter - many women feel so depressed and suicidal that doctors are wrongly prescribing antidepressants, according to the National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome (NAPS). The UK's only PMS charity says that the number of PMS sufferers being misdiagnosed with depression is rising fast. Women are contacting the charity saying they've wrongly been prescribed antidepressants like Prozac and Seroxat, when their mood swings are actually linked to their periods.

Around 95 per cent of women have some mood symptoms,'says Professor Shaughn O'Brien, spokesman for charity Wellbeing of Women and a leading expert on PMS from Keele University.

Of course, PMS can vary hugely between women and there's a wide range of mood symptoms, including anxiety, fatigue, food cravings, sadness and anger. But if you have any of those during the second half of your menstrual cycle, it's a safe bet it's down to seesawing hormones.

Severity differs between women, too. While you may just feel a bit weepy before your period starts, your friend might swing from crashing depression to uncontrollable rage. 'It's estimated 30-40 per cent of women are affected to a degree that's severe enough to interfere with daily life,' says women's health expert Dr Marilyn Glenville.

So what's going on? 'During the second half of the menstrual cycle, levels of the hormone progesterone rise, and this is thought to affect mood,' explains Professor O'Brien. 'But we don't know for certain why some women experience more severe symptoms than others. Research has shown no difference in levels of progesterone between women with severe PMS and those with only mild symptoms. One explanation could be that the way progesterone affects the brain varies - some women's brain chemicals may be more sensitive to the hormone.' Dr Glenville adds that other, external factors could predispose a woman to being at the mercy of her hormones. An unhealthy diet and lifestyle may leave you vulnerable to PMS,' she says.

If you think you've got severe PMS, keep a diary for three months before visiting a doctor. And make sure you go when you are feeling strong and level-headed, so you can have a proper conversation.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest antidepressants can really help some women with their PMS symptoms, but diet, homeopathic remedies and even the combined contraceptive Pill or IUD (coil) should all be tried first.

Here we describe many ways of tackling hormonal upheaval the natural way - they should make a big difference to the way you feel each month.