Although little studied and a little taboo, premenstrual syndromes punctuate the lives of many women. What are they, when do they appear and how to detect them? Alexandra Boudon, liberal midwife, and Leslye Granaud, author of the book SPMtamère, share their advice with us for a more peaceful coexistence with PMS.
At the end of each cycle, it’s the same story: pain, feeling unwell, fatigue … Many women experience PMS on a recurring basis. “30 to 40% of women are strongly affectedbut in fact, every woman is personally impacted by PMS in her life.”, reports Leslye Granaud. PMS or pre-menstrual syndromes bring together all physical and psychological effects who are appearing before menstruation beginsand sometimes linger until the start of the cycle. In question: a hormonal imbalancel caused by a sudden drop or increase in the production of progesterone and estrogen, all before menstruation. “Women change cycles and hormonal secretions every 10 years. There is therefore an upheaval in the way hormones are experienced which may or may not sometimes appear in some”, develops Alexandra Boudon.
To have PMS, you must therefore necessarily be menstruating.. “PMS only affects women of childbearing age. (…) They can however just as easily occur after childbirth as in adolescence” develops the midwife. Leslye Granaud nevertheless explains that symptoms appear on average around the age of 20-25 and in adolescence. “This is also one of the main reasons for the first gynecological consultation.“, she adds.
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Physical pre-menstrual syndromes: what are they?
physical symptoms are from afar the most known, prevalent and diagnosed forms of PMS. The spectrum is broad: “Stomach ache, back pain, swollen breasts, bloating, migraine, urinary infections Where sore throat are among the most common”, says Leslye Granaud. “The cravings Where episodes of intense fatigue are also common” also specifies Alexandra Boudon. SPM eventually becomes SPM when the intensity becomes disabling. “Nothing prevents effects from stacking”, adds the midwife.
On her Instagram account @SPMtamère as in her book, Leslye Granaud reports testimonials from women affected by digestion problems as well as by cramps, episodes of intense fatigue Where surge of anger. Because to the physical PMS are sometimes added the psychological PMS.
Psychological pre-menstrual syndromes: a medical gray area?
“These are especially theso-called psychological symptoms who made me want to create the @SPMtamère account”, writes Leslye Granaud in her book. She herself touched, she evokes a very intense questioninga deep feeling of unease or even dysmorphophobia episodes at each end of cycle in many women. “PMS can be summed up as a mini-episode of depression that manifests itself with more or less importance“, she explains. To this are sometimes added surge of angera widespread discontentof the strong mood disorders or even a decrease or a significant increase in libido.
Some symptoms should alert more than others: “When suicidal thoughts appear every month before menstruation, we go to the side of TDPM”, warns Leslye Granaud. PMDDs or pre-menstrual dysphoric disorders are characterized by suicidal thoughts recurrent which germinate at the end of the cycle and disappear once the rules have arrived. Somehow cousins of the SPM, they require consultation with a mental health professional, sometimes a treatmentand bear witness to a land “more fertile to advanced depressive disorders” explains Leslye Granaud.
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How to live with PMS on a daily basis?
“Management of PMS becomes essential as soon as the symptoms become disabling”, insists Alexandra Boudon. But who to consult, how, when? “The question is legitimate”, recognizes Lesly Granaud. “Many professionals tend to confusing these symptoms with those of other diseasessometimes even madness in the case of psychological PMS.She continues:To find a trusted practitioner, we turn to doctors consulted by girlfriends who are also affected and who trust their healthcare professional. We favor midwives, better educated on these issues”. Alexandra Boudon also admits it, “In consultation, women say they do not feel heard”. The advice is unanimous: when a practitioner does not take the symptoms presented seriously, another is sought to find a solution.
No treatment specific to PMS has been proven and it needs “compose on a case-by-case basis and adapt to the profile of each patient”. The sport nevertheless remains one of the most effective alternative remedies against PMS. “He helps in the production of endorphins which are involved in hormonal secretions and regulate them” develops the midwife. The microdose contraceptive pill may also be prescribed in young girls in order to come”temporize and limit the symptoms by stabilizing hormones”. As for the Digestive PMS“adopting a non-inflammatory diet without milk, gluten, processed products or soda can significantly contribute to the relief of symptoms” says the midwife. “There is no miracle recipe for treating PMS” indicates Alexandra Boudon. But adopting a healthier lifestyle can help you make peace with your PMSor at least, to live better with.
Julie has recently been a video journalist trainee in the editorial staff of Auféminin. Passionate about fashion, she takes an informed and innovative look at trends…