How are Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS) defined?

The unpleasant symptoms of hormonal imbalance are not solely found in perimenopause and menopause by any means. Up until these stages, women experience years of fluctuating  PMS hormones  each and every month, causing pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS). These fluctuating hormones regulate the menstrual cycle and subsequently cause undesirable side effects.

The main hormones before period onset include estrogen and progesterone. In a basic menstrual cycle, estrogen rises for about two weeks then begins to fall, at which point progesterone begins to rise for about two weeks then falls again. This up and down continues each month. For some women, this fluctuation is more drastic than others, resulting in severe symptoms. Stress and diet can further cause these PMS hormones to derail, resulting in an irregular period.

PMS Hormones

Common premenstrual symptoms include:

  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Tension
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Appetite Changes
  • Bloating
  • Weight Gain

The rise and fall of progesterone and estrogen (the two PMS causing hormones before period onset) alters brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are naturally responsible for the transition of messages between nerve cells, particularly those in the brain. Mood, thought, pain, and pleasure are influenced by these brain chemicals.

One neurotransmitter that is affected during the menstrual cycle is serotonin. The oscillating hormones (mainly progesterone and estrogen) cause serotonin levels to fluctuate. This fluctuation results in appetite changes (carbohydrate cravings) and may cause depression and weight gain. Other affected neurotransmitters include GABA and Endorphins. GABA is instrumental in feeling calm; altering levels of this chemical can result in anxiety and irritability. Endorphins are vital chemicals in experiencing pleasure and pain, fluctuating levels can also result in anxiety, irritability, and tension.

The Solution

For severe PMS, natural hormone therapy offers the opportunity to regain a normal cycle and to experience relief from the extreme symptoms caused by the PMS hormones. For better quality of life, those with severe PMS should visit a qualified BodyLogicMD hormone therapy physician to be tested. Relief is just a phone call or an email away.

Contact the BodyLogicMD bioidentical hormone doctor nearest you to schedule an appointment and learn more about how hormone therapy can help control PMS Hormones.