Exact causes of premenstrual syndrome are not known. There are several factors that contribute towards the development of this syndrome. Cyclic changes in hormones are considered as the important cause. The premenstrual syndrome generally occurs during the luteal phase of menstrual cycle. During this phase, the level of progesterone increases, while the estrogen level drops in the body. These changes in the hormonal level are the causes of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. An alternation in progesterone level can account for woman’s behavior, mood and physical changes. The hormonal changes may affect the kidneys. The fluid overload can cause the PMS symptoms such as weight gain and swelling.
Low levels of minerals and vitamins are associated with the causes of premenstrual syndrome. Drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages can lead to disturbances in the mood and energy level. Some chemical changes in the brain, especially the fluctuations of serotonin, may be responsible for the premenstrual depression and food cravings, fatigue and sleep problems. In addition to that, changes in the levels of peptides, thyroid hormones and prolactin are also responsible for the causes of PMS.
The diagnosis for PMS involves the complete medical history, pelvic and physical examination. The doctor asks the patient to keep the records of PMS symptoms for several moths to access the severity, timing, onset and duration of the symptoms.
There are certain medications to irradiate the causes of premenstrual syndrome. Some of the commonly prescribed medicines are antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, oral contraceptives and medroxyprogesterone acetate. You can overcome the symptoms of PMS by adopting some changes in diet, exercise and daily life style.
