Pre-Menstrual Tension

Many women experience upsetting emotional or physical problems during the second half of their menstrual cycle, when the womb lining prepared by the body for a fertilized egg is shed as a period if conception has not taken place. PMT can contribute to sexual problems, making some women temporarily lose their libido (although in others it may have the reverse effect). In itself, PMT is a cause of acute distress in sufficient numbers of women for it to be taken increasingly seriously by GPs, most of whom are able to offer helpful advice - and special PMT clinics are also run by some hospitals; advice can likewise be obtained from family planning clinics. Causes of PMT include:

• Insufficient supply of the progesterone hormone produced by the ovaries.

• Disturbed balance between the progesterone and estrogen hormones.

• Disturbance of the body's ability to absorb B-group vitamins.

Obviously you are likely to suffer more from PMT if you are experiencing other stress-related problems, or are not eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.

As a basis for coping with PMT, it is useful to be aware of the types of symptom commonly experienced, which can be both physical and emotional:

Physical symptoms

• A bloated feeling, caused by water retention

• Weight increase

• Swollen, tender breasts

• Distended abdomen

• Impaired coordination

• Headache and nausea

• Fatigue

• Poor sleep

• Food cravings, especially for sweet or salty foods

• Spots on face and body

• Tendency for hair to be greasy

Emotional symptoms

• Mood changes, sometimes quite abrupt

• Strong feelings of tension and irritability

• Poor concentration

• Forgetfulness

• Weepiness

• Touchiness

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