PMS: How Much Do We Really Know? Essay -- Biology Essays Research Pape

premenstrual syndrome How Much Do We Really Know?Basically, PMS has been piecemealed. Its like the story of the five blind manpower and the elephant. One checked the trunk, another the leg and so on, but nobody has the full picture. --Dr. Susan Thys-Jacobs (1). The ControversyThere has been much controversy over the biological factors concern in the mood disorders and discomfort felt by countless women before the onset of menses. The common term for this discomfort is pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS is a disorder involving hormonal changes that trigger disruptive symptoms up to two weeks prior to menstruation. While for many women the symptoms are not severe enough to require treatment, 12 % (5 out of 40 million) are medically treated for their symptoms (2).While many scientists have supported the existence of PMS, the exact causes and treatments have created some controversy. It is not clear how much of the presence of PMS is due to physiological factors (such as hormones) and h ow much is due to psychological and societal factors. What role exactly has society played in the perception of symptoms? In what ability is the I-function involved? The SymptomsPMS affects approximately 8 out of 10 women. Since the 1930s, the grouping of symptoms has remained fairly consistent. An American neurologist originally described these characteristics in 1931. The symptoms are sort as follows A- Anxiety irritable, crying without reason, verbally and sometimes physically abuse, feeling out of control, or Dr. Jekyl-Mr. Hyde behavior changes. D- Depression confused, clumsy, forgetful, withdrawn, fearful, paranoid, dangerous thoughts and rarely suicidal actions. C- Cravings food cravings, usually for sweets or chocolate dia... ...ssociated with PMS, as well as the exact nature of hormones, emotions, and other psychophysiological factors. WWW Sources1) PMS and PMDD Cause Serious distress http//www.usatoday.com/news/health/doctor/lhdoc094.htm2) Medical Treatment of PMS http //www.usdoctor.com/pms.htm3) The Health Report-PMS http//www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s11123.htm4) What is EEG Biofeedback? http//www.eegspectrum.com/articles/faq.htm5) EEG Biofeedback Training for PMS http//www.eegspectrum.com/articles/pms94.htm6) PMS, EEG, and Photic rousing http//www.snr-jnt.org/journalnt/jnt(2-2)2.html7) The Many Faces of PMS http//www.bairpms.com/Additional Sources8) Slade, P. (1984) Premenstrual emotional changes in normal women Fact or fiction? Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 28. 1-7. 9) Ruble, Science Vol. 197