When To Talk To Your OBGYN About PMS Symptoms
One of the many displeasures of being a woman is the issue of menstruation and specifically, of premenstrual syndrome. A large number of women struggle with PMS symptoms every month and do so without the help of any medical care providers. The problem is that it is sometimes difficult for a woman to know what is considered "normal" in terms of those PMS symptoms. They may unknowingly be suffering a great deal more than they should be every month. Get to know some of the signs that your PMS symptoms are out of the ordinary. Then, you can be sure you talk to your obgyn about your issues so you can get help right away.
You Experience Debilitating Headaches
Headaches are a common symptom of PMS because of the shifts in hormones that are occurring right before menstruation. However, your headaches should not be so catastrophic that they completely wipe you out for several days at a time.
When your headaches are so severe in the week before your period or during your period, you may be experiencing what is known as a menstrual migraine. These headaches can potentially last for days and can be so painful that they cause nausea and vomiting as well as keep you in bed all day. Luckily, menstrual migraines can be treated.
If you have tried standard over-the-counter pain relievers to no avail, prescription migraine medications, corticosteroids, and other options can be given to you to use when a menstrual migraine strikes. When your menstrual migraines occur every time you menstruate and/or do not respond well to acute treatments, you may be a candidate for preventive treatments (i.e., medications that you take all the time).
You Experience Horrendous Back Pain
Lower back pain is another one of those symptoms that is common with PMS and menstruation. It often occurs alongside abdominal cramping. Mild lower back pain is nothing to be too worried about. However, horrendous or severe back pain is simply not acceptable or normal for PMS. When you have severe lower back pain along with your period, it can be a sign that you have a condition known as endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when uterine tissue grows on the outside of the uterus. This can cause other symptoms including excessive bleeding, fertility problems, and pain with intercourse.
If your PMS and menstrual back pain are related to endometriosis, there are options available to help you. Hormone therapies, for example, can reduce the occurrence of symptoms be controlling hormone levels in your body. Some of these options include standard hormonal contraceptives, aromatase inhibitors, and others. Surgeries, both minor and major can also be options. For severe cases of endometriosis, a full hysterectomy may be the best option to relieve symptoms.
Now that you know a few of the PMS symptoms that you should discuss with your obgyn, you can be certain that you take the best possible care of yourself going forward.
