What is PMS?

PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, affects many women of childbearing age. An estimated 50% to 80% of women experience PMS.

Highly variable from one woman to another and from one cycle to the next, the many very different symptoms can be harmless, bothersome, or extremely disabling in daily life.

While PMS is manageable for most women, 5% experience a very severe form called **premenstrual dysphoric disorder**.

Nature of symptoms, impact on daily life, causes, triggers, solutions, Louloucup is here to support you, help you understand and better cope with PMS.

This women’s health issue usually appears from about a week to just a few hours before your period. Some women may even notice symptoms two weeks before their period.

The woman’s menstrual cycle is then in the luteal phase.

During this last phase of the hormonal cycle, the ovarian follicle has ruptured and released the egg; this corpus luteum releases progesterone, which thickens the endometrium. Estrogen and progesterone are at high levels. PMS is directly linked to the levels of these hormones.

To learn everything about the menstrual cycle, check out our in‑depth series of articles on the different phases of the cycle:

• The menstrual cycle. Menstruation,

• The Menstrual Cycle. The follicular phase,

• The Menstrual Cycle. Ovulation,

• The menstrual cycle. The luteal phase.

The female cycle will no longer hold any secrets from you! Do you have a particularly long or rather short menstrual cycle? Once again, Louloucup is here to help you see things more clearly. 

• temporary weight gain, bloating, water retention,
• constipation or diarrhea, disrupted digestion,
• Breast pain (tightness, pulling sensation, heaviness in the chest and breasts),
• eating disorders: cravings, changes in appetite, inexplicable urges for certain foods,
• headaches, head pain, migraines, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, feeling unwell,
• Mild to intense **fatigue**, low energy, lethargy,
• nausea, vomiting,
• acne, itching, dermatitis, skin rashes,
• menstrual pain, lower abdominal cramps, abdominal cramps,
• back pain, joint pain, muscle pain,
• swelling, tingling sensations in the hands and feet,
• hot flashes,
• hypersensitivity to certain lights, smells, sounds or touch.

Many physical symptoms are similar to those experienced during your period (cramps, back pain, constipation, bloating, fatigue, etc.).

• stress,
• confusion,
• irritability, aggression, low mood, negativity, anger,
• depressive feelings, low mood,
• low mood, loss of motivation, apathy,
• FAQ: deep-cleaning your period panties
• feeling overwhelmed, not feeling competent enough,
• a desire to isolate yourself from others, not wanting to see or talk to anyone,
• crying easily for no real reason, crying fits,
• Emotional hypersensitivity, heightened emotions in response to a situation,
• feeling irritable,
• mood swings,
• lack of focus, difficulty concentrating on a task or on work,
• heavy sleep or insomnia,
• decreased libido.

When PMS becomes so severe that it disrupts daily life and prevents a woman from functioning normally, it’s called premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD. This disorder is like PMS multiplied, far more intense, and it should be taken seriously and treated.

PMDD usually appears between the ages of 30 and 35 and shows up during the luteal phase. Psychological and emotional symptoms are heightened: depression, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, loss of interest in everyday life and important things, a strong need for reassurance — in short, PMS symptoms felt much more strongly and intensely.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies can then be a real solution to help women better manage their emotions, accept them and live with them.  

Some women are more prone to PMS and its symptoms. Several factors can be responsible, including: 

• Genetics: doctors and scientific researchers have long been studying PMS and have observed that the risk is much higher if a close relative has been affected. However, no genetic cause has been formally confirmed. These are only studies and observations, but since your genes are involved in every aspect of your physical and emotional health, it’s reasonable to assume that PMS is linked to your genes.  

• Stress: several studies have shown that when you’re under stress or pressure, whether at work or in your family life, stress can trigger PMS symptoms. Bloating or menstrual cramps are the most common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. 

• Diet: diet is one of the factors involved in PMS. What you eat can have a big impact on your menstrual cycle. The intensity of PMS‑related symptoms can vary a lot. Linked to this factor, we mainly see symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and bloating. 

• Depression: women with PMS symptoms are, according to research, at higher risk of developing certain forms of depression. More specifically, we’re talking about postpartum or prepartum depression. 

• Chemical changes: in some women, hormonal fluctuations can cause the brain to produce an excessive amount of certain chemical substances. Serotonin, for example, directly affects sleep and mood. As a result, emotional PMS symptoms can be more intense if these chemical changes lead to an excess of serotonin.