1. What are the symptoms of PMS?
The symptoms of PreMenstrual Syndrome are Physical and Emotional/Mental. The physical symptoms are Joint or muscle pain, Headache, Backache, Fatigue, Cramping, Weight gain related to fluid retention, Bloating, Breast swollen/tenderness, Acne flare-ups, Irregular bowel movements and Sleeping pattern changes. The Emotional or Mental symptoms are Tension, anxiety, Depression, Mood swings, Food cravings, Aversion towards food, Social detachment, Trouble in focus/concentration/memory, Nil to minimal interest in sexual activities.
2. How to diagnose menstrual disorders?
If there are persistent symptoms related to unusual conditions during periods, before or after periods, then the doctor will conduct a pelvic exam, in addition to regular physical exam. Blood tests and Medical imaging like ultrasound and MRI are prescribed based on the severity of the situation, after the pelvic exam by the doctor. Based on the test results, further tests like Pap test and HPV test are conducted to diagnose the presence of cancerous cells.
3. How does mental stress affect menstruation?
During menstruation cycles and menopause, women go through stress, both physiological and psychological. The hormonal changes during these times affect the mental health of women and causes increase in stress, tension, anxiety, depression. Some of the common mental conditions are
Perimenopausal Depression (depression around the time of menopause), Premenstrual Syndrome – PMS (physical and mental changes before the start of the period), and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder – PMDD (serious, extended form of PMS).
4. Do menstrual disorders affect pregnancy and infertility?
The level of impact of the menstrual disorders in getting pregnant and childbirth, depends upon the disorder. If it is just an irregular period, the risk is very very low in getting pregnant. The menstrual disorders affect the ovulation, balance in hormones. But the risk increases with complications like PCOS, uterine fibroids, endometriosis. The serious conditions of cysts and fibroids affect the pregnancy and childbirth.
5. What are considered as Menstrual disorders?
Some of the common menstrual disorders or problems includes:
– Painful cramps during periods.
– Heavy bleeding, irregular periods, absent period, infrequent periods, bleeding between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse.
– Fibroids (non-cancerous benign tumors).
– Perimenopausal Depression (depression around the time of menopause).
– Premenstrual Syndrome – PMS (physical and mental changes before the start of the period).
– Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder – PMDD (serious, extended form of PMS).