Meno Martha, PMS and Perimenopause

During perimenopause our premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual mood disorder (PMDD) symptoms may get worse.

PMS

What is PMS?

Depending on the Source (DotS), the definition of PMS may vary. In Premenstrual Syndrome the (United States) Medline Plus’s definition is:

“Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a group of physical and emotional symptoms that start one to two weeks before your period. Most women have at least some symptoms of PMS, and the symptoms go away after their periods start. The symptoms may range from mild to severe”.

Meno Martha, PMS and PerimenopausePerimenopause PMS

During perimenopause may our PMS symptoms get worse?

In Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Does PMS Change With Age? the Office on Women’s Health,  United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov explain:

“Yes. PMS symptoms may get worse as you reach your late 30s or 40s and approach menopause and are in the transition to menopause, called perimenopause.

This is especially true for women whose moods are sensitive to changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. In the years leading up to menopause, your hormone levels also go up and down in an unpredictable way as your body slowly transitions to menopause. You may get the same mood changes, or they may get worse.

PMS stops after menopause when you no longer get a period”.

Perimenopause PMDD

During perimenopause may our PMDD symptoms get worse?

In Premenstrual Disorders & Menopause: Perimenopause & Natural Menopause – How May Being Perimenopausal Affect My PMDD/PME? the International Association for Premenstrual Disorder’s (IAPMD) elaborate on:

“PMDD cycling does go away after you are fully menopausal; however, during the years before and during the menopause transition (perimenopause), things can get rough for a while since those with PMDD are sensitive to hormone changes, and hormone flux increases EVEN MORE during perimenopause. Estrogen and progesterone production becomes very erratic and unstable before it declines at menopause”.

PMDD

What is PMDD?

DotS the definition of PMDD may vary. In Learn: PMDD the IAPMD’s definition is:

“Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a cyclical, hormone-based mood disorder with symptoms arising during the premenstrual, or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and subsiding within a few days of menstruation. It affects an estimated 5.5% of women and AFAB individuals of reproductive age. While PMDD is directly connected to the menstrual cycle, it is not a hormone imbalance. PMDD is a severe negative reaction in the brain to the natural rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone. It is a suspected cellular disorder in the brain. Symptoms can worsen over time and or around reproductive events such as menarche (the first menstrual cycle), pregnancy, birth, miscarriage, and perimenopause”.

Menstrual Diary

Meno Martha, PMS and PerimenopauseMay keeping a menstrual diary help?

In Menstrual Diary the (United Kingdom) National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome explain:

“A completed menstrual chart is the first step towards understanding your own menstrual health. Download the menstrual diary.

Our chart helps you to record accurately your menstrual cycle, to note related symptoms as they occur, to define when you are symptom-free, to plot your days of menstruation and to note the duration of your cycle”.

In Tracking Your Cycle & Symptoms the IAPMD note:

“PMDD cannot be diagnosed via blood, hormone, or saliva test. These tests can, however, rule out any underlying disorders including hormone imbalance or thyroid issues. The only way to currently test for PMDD is by tracking symptoms for a span of two more menstrual cycles”.

In Premenstrual Syndrome – Self-Care: Keep A Diary of Symptoms the (United States) MedlinePlus explain:

“Keeping a calendar or diary of your symptoms can help you identify the symptoms that are causing you the most trouble. Writing down your symptoms on a calendar can help you understand possible triggers for your symptoms. It can also help your health care provider choose an approach that is most helpful for you. In your diary or calendar, be sure to record:

  • The type of symptoms you are having
  • How severe your symptoms are
  • How long your symptoms last
  • Whether your symptoms respond to a treatment you tried
  • At what point during your cycle your symptoms occur

You may need to try different things to treat PMS. Some things you try may work, and others may not. Keeping track of your symptoms may help you find the treatments that work best for you”.

Meno Martha, PMS and PerimenopauseMenstrual Diary Format

Where may I find a menstrual diary format to record symptoms?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Diary

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with PMS or PMDD or PME?

In Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Living With – When Should I See My Healthcare Provider? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic explain:

“See your provider if you’re unable to get relief from your PMS symptoms. To get the most out of your visit, come to your appointment prepared to discuss your symptoms and your period in detail. Track your period and symptom history on a calendar, planner or app. Be prepared to share information about your period start and stop dates and your symptoms (including how mild or severe) for at least two consecutive periods”.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Meno Martha, PMS and Perimenopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Meno Martha, PMS and Perimenopause?

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Links

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New or Updated

  1. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Healthcare Visit
  2. IAPMD Position Statement on Integrative, Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  3. Iapmd.org [International Association for Premenstrual Disorders]
  4. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!] [Other Languages and Formats]
  5. Learn: PMDD
  6. Learn: PME
  7. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  8. Mastering Midlife Mood Changes With Marlene Freeman, MD
  9. Menopause Depression
  10. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  11. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  12. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  13. Menopause and Mental Health
  14. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  15. Menstrual Diary
  16. Mood and the Menopause
  17. PMDD / PME – Understanding and Coping With Premenstrual Anger, Irritability, & Hypersensitivity
  18. PMDD/PME Self Screen
  19. PMDD/PMS
  20. PMDD/PMS: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
  21. PMDD/PMS: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  22. PMS & PMDD
  23. PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
  24. PMS, PMDD and You
  25. Perimenopause
  26. Perimenopause
  27. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  28. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Perimenopause Symptom Checklist
  29. Periods Information Hub
  30. Pms.org.uk [National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes, United Kingdom]
  31. Premenstrual Disorders & Menopause
  32. Premenstrual Disorders, Timing of Menopause, and Severity of Vasomotor Symptoms
  33. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
  34. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Different From PMS?
  35. Premenstrual Syndrome
  36. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  37. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  38. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  39. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  40. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) [+ Video]
  41. Promoting Good Mental Health Over the Menopause Transition
  42. Push Back Against PMS
  43. Self-Help Tool: Periods and Mental Wellbeing
  44. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  45. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  46. Understanding Premenstrual Disorders – PMDD and PME Explained [Video]
  47. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  48. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  49. What Is PMDD?
  50. What Is PME? [Premenstrual Exacerbation]

Last Updated: 06 September 2024 – Last Revised: 06 September 2024
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