Mood swings

The debate goes on as to whether PMS exists, writes Arlene Harris.

MANY women suffer from mood swings, particularly around their periods — but woe betide any man who asks her if she is suffering from PMS (pre menstrual syndrome). We might know we have a tendency towards irritability around menstruation, but we don’t want anyone to point it out, thank you very much.

According to a controversial study, many of the negative feelings women feel around the time of their period may actually have nothing to do with PMS and could in fact be down to tiredness or stress.

In a study published in the journal Gender Medicine, researchers at the University of Toronto said their findings ‘‘failed to provide clear evidence in support of the existence of a specific premenstrual negative mood syndrome”.

According to lead researcher Dr Sarah Romans: “The idea that any emotionality in women can be firstly attributed to their reproductive function — we’re sceptical about that.”

But Dr Bernadette Carr, medical director of VHI, says the symptoms of PMS can be affected by hormonal activity.

“It’s very difficult to know for sure whether women are more stressed out or not when they are menstruating but hormone changes are thought be to one of the biggest contributing factors to the main symptoms of PMS,” she says.

“The fact that PMS disappears during pregnancy and after the menopause, when hormone levels are stable, supports this theory.

“Certain chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin fluctuate during PMS. Serotonin is known to regulate mood and levels of happiness, so low levels of serotonin contribute to symptoms such as tiredness, food cravings and insomnia.

Stress is not a direct cause of PMS but women may find that with weakened emotional defences, they find it more difficult to cope.”

Dr Shirley McQuade, medical director of the Dublin Well Woman clinic agrees.

“It is estimated that the vast majority of women are aware of cyclical changes but for most, the discomfort is easy to deal with and considered a normal part of life.

“For most women, the symptoms only last for a day or two and some will work around it by deliberately trying not to schedule work meetings on those days or not making major decisions around that time.”

Dr Carr of the VHI says many women should seek help rather than trying to deal with it alone.

“If you find PMS is interfering with the way you function, please visit your GP for advice rather than putting up with it on a regular basis,” she says. “While there is no one single approach to treating the symptoms, there are a number of areas to look at which in combination may bring about an improvement.”