Find Out The Causes Of PMS!

Do you experience mood swings before your period start? Do you feel irritable, tired, and just don’t seem to have any patience?

Do these changes in your demeanor affect the people around you? If your answer is YES to any of these questions, then you might be suffering from a menstrual condition known as PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

It is estimated that three out of every four women who are menstruating can experience the problem of premenstrual syndrome.

These problems are more common in women between their late 20s and early 40s.

Exactly, the cause of premenstrual syndrome is still unknown. However, various factors can trigger the condition of PMS.

The most common cause for PMS is hormonal changes during menstrual period. Generally, ovaries make two hormones at this period, one is estrogen and the other is progesterone.

Estrogen is produced by the ovaries throughout the entire menstrual cycle and reaches it higher levels at second and third week and again declines during the last week. In the last two weeks of menstrual cycle, ovaries can also produce progesterone. These last two weeks of the cycle is called as luteal phase.

The hormones both estrogen and progesterone are responsible for preparing your womb to accept a fertilized egg and they also affect your mood.

How do hormonal changes influence premenstrual syndrome?

Estrogen and progesterone can greatly alter the brain chemicals called as neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters that are most commonly affected are:

Endorphins: Endorphins play a major role in experiencing pain and pleasure. These two hormones can greatly alter endorphin levels.

Serotonin: PMS causes variations in serotonin levels thus triggering depression and carbohydrate cravings. Serotonin is produced by your body from amino acid tryptophan.

Norepinephrine: This chemical can also trigger your mood and also play a great role in monitoring heart rate and blood pressure.

GABA: Called as gamma-aminobutyric acid is essential for feeling calm.

Could vitamin and mineral imbalances trigger PMS?

Studies showed that low levels of vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and calcium can trigger premenstrual syndrome. Magnesium and calcium are responsible for blood vessel opening or closing and nerve cell communication. These functions may be involved in PMS symptoms.

Low levels of vitamin A, vitamin B6 and vitamin E can play a great role in PMS.

Could diet trigger PMS?

Eating salty foods can cause fluid retention. Drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages can trigger mood and energy levels.

Higher stress levels can also make your PMS symptoms become worse.