by Katherine Born

Created on: July 26, 2009

Premenstrual tension is another way of saying premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. In other words, all that ickiness associated with the period before the period. Commonly complained of side-effects of menstruation coming on are bloating, cramps, stress, acne, fatigue, headache, mood swings, hot flashes, irritability and more.

The key to dealing with PMS is identifying the problem. If you have an irregular cycle, you might not even realize the symptoms are PMS-related until after you get your period. If you know that it's PMS that is causing your emotional and physical symptoms, you are more likely to be able to deal with it; after all, PMS only lasts one, maybe two weeks before the joys of "MS" begin. There is an end in sight.

Physical discomfort can be alleviated with hot baths, enough sleep and enough to eat and drink (don't drink, smoke or overdose on caffeine, it only makes whatever symptoms you have worse). Pain medication can be taken for headaches and cramps, but it's best to discuss this with your doctor, as long-term regular use of pain medication creates its own problems. Many women use herbal teas to help with symptoms and to regularize their periods, but before buying something off the shelf discuss it with a doctor or herbalist - many herbs in PMS-directed teas also have hormonal effects and these can be dangerous if taken inappropriately.

It is the emotional aspects of PMS that make it a byword for "bitchiness" today. Although I have no medical studies to quote to back me up on this, I believe many of the emotional aspects of PMS - mood swings, depression, irritability, etc - are a form of mourning for the child that will not be coming. While you may have every good reason in the book not to want a child, your body may feel differently. After all, it has just spent 3 weeks getting ready for that potential baby. Acknowledging this aspect of PMS has helped me, and might help you as well to deal with the emotional upheaval.

Another, probably unpopular, factor in dealing with PMS is self-control. It is the loss of self-control that leads to rages, saying things you have to apologize for later, and the general "Watch out! She's PMSing!" that makes others cringe when it's that time of the month. It may be unpopular but it is possible to control your temper and your tongue even when PMS is making you feel utterly miserable. Acknowledging that it is PMS and not the other person/people's fault, accepting that you may be feeling sadness because of a loss of an egg, and controlling your responses to others will go a long way to making your week or two emotionally sane, if not any more comfortable. Not to mention not having to apologize to others later!

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