BLOOD, CRAVINGS, AND MOOD SWINGS: The Truth About Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS: When your body turns into a chaotic reality show. One second, you are laughing; the next, you are crying over a cereal commercial. Cravings? Yes, all of them. Bloating? Like a balloon at a birthday party. It isn’t ‘being dramatic’; it is just hormones running the show.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combo of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms that occur in the luteal phase (just before your period) of the menstrual cycle. It is usually over by the end of your period. In some women, the symptoms can be so severe that they interfere with daily life or affect relationships. If you’ve ever picked a fight over pressing the toothpaste from the middle only to regret it an hour later, that may just be PMS messing with your emotions.

The exact cause of PMS is unknown, but it is linked to the monthly hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle. These hormonal changes, particularly in estrogen and progesterone levels, can lead to the onset of PMS symptoms.

Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome

PMS comes with a goodie bag of symptoms, and by “goodie,” we mean the kind that no one asked for. Some months, it’s a little discomfort; other months, it’s full-blown chaos. Here are some of the common signs and symptoms:

Tender breasts: The ‘girls’ become fuller, heavier, and tender
Bloating: Your belly feels bigger, and your jeans feel tighter. It is not your imagination; it is real.
Mood swings: One minute you’re chill, the next you’re crying because someone ate the last ponmo in the pot. If you are married, I wish your spouse lots of patience in dealing with and helping you navigate the rapidly fluctuating mood changes.
Irritability: Basically, the fuse is shorter than ever, and you may act like a jerk, low-key.
Acne: Some women have acne flare-ups just before their periods.
Constipation or Diarrhea: Your gut joins the PMS party, too. Diarrhea is a pretty common symptom, so common that it is nicknamed “period diarrhea”.
Low Back Pain:A dull ache that lingers like a bad ex.

A crucial fact to note is that PMS is cyclical. This means that if you have PMS, the symptoms tend to occur every menstrual cycle (i.e., every month you’re not pregnant).

How To Cope With PMS

Premenstrual syndrome is no walk in the park. The fluctuations in hormones can really bring out a different side of you — a side of you even you aren’t familiar with or comfortable with — and this can be challenging to deal with. Here are some methods that can help you manage these uncomfortable signs and symptoms:

Lifestyle Tweaks

You have to eat and drink like you care (even when you don’t) because what you eat can mess with your hormones or regulate them. Simple tips and tricks you can try include:

Hydrate like mad! Adequate hydration is not just about quenching thirst; it is also about lowering stress levels and keeping your mood in check. Health experts recommend around 2.7 liters of water daily for women (that’s about 5–6 sachets of water for those of us in Nigeria). But here’s the thing: most of that research comes from colder climates. They didn’t account for the daily Naija grind, where you’re baking in traffic, dodging okadas, and sweating like it is cardio. So don’t just aim for 2.7L, your body probably needs more. Listen to it.
Eat less salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. Ironically, the most common PMS cravings are for sweet and salty foods. Yup, life’s not fair.
Load up on fruits and vegetables; they are nature’s multivitamins.

De-Stress, Don’t Suppress

You see, PMS and stress are like a toxic couple; they make each other worse. So, effectively managing stress helps you cope with the rough and turbulent roads of premenstrual syndrome. Things like adequate sleep, meditation, and relaxation exercises help regulate your emotions and keep you somewhat calm in the midst of the storm. If all else fails, scream into a pillow. Cathartic.

Get Your Support Systems on Standby

You don’t have to go through PMS alone. Surrounding yourself with lots of love and support can also help you sail through PMS smoothly. A good rant session with your friends or a heart-to-heart with your partner can make a huge difference. And if things feel overwhelming, a professional therapist or counselor can help.

Supplements and Medications (Responsibly!)

Sometimes, your body needs an extra push, and supplements like Vitamin B6, Magnesium, or Calcium can help you stay afloat. Analgesics can help with aches and pain, and severe cases of PMS may require medications like antidepressants. Most importantly, use meds responsibly; don’t just toss pills in your mouth like groundnuts.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

By talking things through with a therapist, you may be able to identify and manage some of your PMS symptoms. Think of CBT as a type of brain training that teaches you how to challenge the emotional, mental, and behavioral tornado that PMS brings. You will learn coping skills, emotional regulation, and how to stop spiraling over that text your crush didn’t reply to.

Cycle Manipulation

Don’t freak out; you won’t be doing anything evil to your body. This simply involves adjusting your menstrual cycle in order to catch a break from your hormones’ tantrums. Combined oral contraceptive pills and transdermal patches are common contraceptives that can improve PMS symptoms. It’s safe when supervised by a doctor.

Surgery

This is the bazooka of PMS treatments; It is a one-time, sure-fire, permanent solution. By removing the uterus and ovaries through a surgical procedure known as a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy, the menstrual cycle is effectively eliminated, and along with it goes the premenstrual syndrome. Needless to say, it is a last resort, reserved for extremely rare and severe cases, and should only be considered with extensive medical guidance and consultation.

What Have We Learnt Today?

PMS is real, rough, and definitely not “just in your head.” With the right hacks, support, and a high dose of self-love, you’ve totally got this. PMS may be a big bully, but you can absolutely handle her.