Meno Martha, PMS and Perimenopause

During perimenopause, or before menopause, apart from mood changes such as anxiety, the menopause blues and mood swings, we may also experience changes in our PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

Meno Martha, PMS and PerimenopausePerimenopause Hormones

During perimenopause do our hormones declined in a regular fashion?

In Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Changes At Midlife – Changes In Hormone Levels: Estrogen the North American Menopause Society elaborate on:

“Estrogen levels generally decline during perimenopause, but they do so in an irregular fashion. Sometimes there can be more estrogen present during perimenopause than in the past”.

Perimenopause PMS

During perimenopause does our PMS declined in a regular fashion?

Just as our estrogen may not decline in a regular fashion, neither may our PMS. 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:


Meno Martha, PMS and Perimenopause“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”.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

What is PMS?

Depending on the Source (DotS), the definition of PMS may vary. In PMDD/PMS the (United States Massachusetts General Hospital) MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health’s definition is:

“Premenstrual Syndrome, commonly referred to as PMS, is a broad term that typically refers to a general pattern of physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms occurring 1-2 weeks before and remitting with the onset of menses. PMS is common, affecting from 30-80% of women of reproductive age, though clinically significant PMS symptoms have been reported in 3-8% of patients”.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMDD)

What is PMDD?

DotS, the definition of PMDD may vary. In What Is PMDD? the International Association for Premenstrual Disorder’s (IAPMD) 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”.

How may PMDD be diagnosed?

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”.

Monthly Diary

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

In PMDD/PMS: Non-Pharmacologic Treatment for PMS and PMDD – Monthly Mood Charting the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health elaborate on:

“Keeping a monthly mood chart can be informative and even therapeutic for many women. In addition to confirming the diagnosis, many women feel better if they can identify the relationship between their cycles and mood changes and can thus anticipate times at which they may be at risk for mood worsening”.

In Menstrual Diary the (United Kingdom) National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome explain about this multi-use tool:

“Completed over two cycles, the chart will provide you with a close understanding of your cycle and associated symptoms. It will be also invaluable if you seek guidance from your own doctor. Your menstrual chart is a strong evidence basis from which to begin diagnosis and treatment”.

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
  • Did your symptoms respond to a treatment you tried
  • At what point during your cycle do 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”.

Monthly Diary Format

Where may I find a monthly diary format so I can record any symptoms I have?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Diary

Health Care Provider

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

If you would like help with PMS or PMDD or PME, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“If you haven’t been able to manage your premenstrual syndrome with lifestyle changes and the symptoms of PMS are affecting your health and daily activities, see your doctor”.

In Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Management & Treatment of PMS Symptoms – Things To Keep In Mind the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health note:

  • “If symptoms persist and interfere with daily activities, see your doctor or seek referral to a gynaecologist with expertise in PMS”.

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

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Health Topics A-Z

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  1. About PMDD [Articles]
  2. Chemical Menopause (GnRHa Treatment)
  3. Glossary
  4. Iapmd.org [International Association for Premenstrual Disorders]
  5. Iapmd.org [International Association for Premenstrual Disorders]: Provider Directory
  6. Learn [+ Podcasts]
  7. MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health [United States]
  8. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Meno Martha, PMS and Perimenopause
  9. Menstrual Diary
  10. PMD Awareness Month 2022 [April]
    Meno Martha, PMS and Perimenopause
  11. PMDD/PME Self Screen
  12. PMDD/PMS
  13. PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
  14. PMS, PMDD and You
  15. Perimenopause
  16. Perimenopause
  17. Perimenopause – Fact Sheet
  18. Pms.org.uk [National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome, United Kingdom]
  19. Premenstrual Syndrome
  20. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  21. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  22. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  23. The Importance of Tracking Your Cycle
  24. The Menopause: Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
  25. Tracking Your Cycle & Symptoms
  26. Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  27. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  28. Webinars and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: The Menopause Blues
  29. What Is PMDD?
  30. What Is PME? [Premenstrual Exacerbation]

Last Updated: 04 April 2022 – Last Revised: 04 April 2022
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