Premenstrual Syndrome and Early Signs of Menopause

There are so many symptoms that can fall under multiple health conditions. This makes it imperative for you if have any new symptoms of any kind or old ones that won't go away for you to consult with your doctor to rule things out and hopefully identify and treat your symptoms appropriately. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) exhibits some of the same symptoms as early signs of menopause do.

Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms

There are two basic conditions that are thought to trigger PMS symptoms. They are thought to be triggered by the changing hormone levels. They are also believed to be triggered by lower than normal serotonin levels- brain chemicals that manage mood and emotions. With each of the two triggers there are specific related symptoms.

Changing hormone levels my trigger such things as migraines and other types of headaches. You may experience tender breasts and back aches. You may experience weight gain that can be due to either water retention or overeating. You could experience bloating.

Serotonin related symptoms include mood swings, irritability, increased aggressive behavior, and unexplainable anger. There maybe concentration problems sleep problems, anxiety, and depression issues. You could also experience food cravings and an increased appetite. This can lead to the weight gain mentioned earlier.

It is important to note that not every woman will experience PMS to the same degree or with the same intensity. In fact one woman can experience PMS differently from month to month.

Early Menopause Symptoms

Menopause occurs after a woman has not had menses for 12 consecutive months or longer. Anywhere from two to ten years prior to the cessations of menses and fertility symptoms can begin to develop. Pre-menopause or Peri-menopause begins with irregular menstrual cycles and irregular bleeding (too little or too much). There may be body aches and pains including back, joint, and muscle pains.

You may be more touchy, less likely to desire sexual activity at times, and your moods can change as quickly as a chameleon changes colors. Depression and anxiety could begin at this point as well. Your hormonal levels will be fluctuating causing any number of symptoms including weight gain due to either water retention or overeating.

Treatments of PMS and Early Signs of Menopause

Hormone therapy can be used for moderate to severe symptoms of both PMS and menopause. Hormone therapy has three basic protocols: Estrogen alone, Progesterone alone, or a combination of both Estrogen and Progesterone adjusted to an individual's specific needs. The preferred protocol is treatment with a combination of both estrogen and progesterone. There are some serious and potentially fatal side effects including breast and/or uterine cancers.

Other pharmaceutical treatments include anti-inflammatories, anti-depressants and diuretic pills that help to relieve excess body fluid. These also have some side effects which can be serious as well.

In an effort to avoid the serious side effects of many pharmaceutical treatments many women seek out natural treatments such as herbal supplementation. Many supplements will also contain beneficial vitamins and minerals to help balance out your nutritional needs. In order to ensure that you are getting the best possible herbal supplements, there are a number of things to look for. When being made they should be made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards.

The ingredients should have been tested extensively. The metabolic route of the ingredients' at the molecular level should be examined as well as the interactions of the ingredients'. This helps to guarantee that you are getting the same quality and consistent dosing in each and every single capsule. Herbal supplements could include B-complex vitamins and minerals such as zinc or magnesium. While it is true that herbal supplements have very few side effects it is important to consult your health care provider before using them. Some herbs can affect the performance of prescriptions you might be taking for other conditions.

Conclusion

Premenstrual Syndrome and Early Signs of Menopause do indeed have similar symptoms. They can also be treated in a similar manner. It is important to know that not every treatment will work for everyone. Herbal supplements are a safer alternative to traditional pharmaceutical treatments with fewer side effects. There are choices of treatments available and your doctor can help you determine which treatment will best meet your needs.