Pre-Menstrual Tension and Fibromyalgia

Many women find that Pre-Menstrual Tension can be a difficult thing to contend with but having the added discomfort of Fibromyalgia can make what has become known as 'the time of the month' a difficult and depressive event.

What is Pre-Menstrual Tension?

As a woman menstruates she goes through what is known as the 'luteal phase'; this phase begins after the egg has been released from the woman's ovary and can last for up to fourteen days. This can also cause changes in the woman's hormonal balance as oestrogen changes places with progesterone. It is during this time that pre-Menstrual Tension can occur and although many consider this to be the a natural occurrence for a female it can bring with it a variety of different symptoms.

Symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Tension

There are a variety of different symptoms that can be attributed to Pre-Menstrual Tension - or PMT to give it its more common title - and these can include the following:

• Water retention
• Low blood sugar
• Reduction in production of endorphins
• Tension Headaches
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Breast Tenderness
• Decreased levels of Energy

Again it is important to note that some women will experience several of these symptoms during the course of their period and in some cases some women may not experience any of them.

It should be noted that many women do not menstruate in the convention sense if they have been fitted with any sort of long term contraceptive device such as a Contraceptive Coil - or Intra-uterine Device. However they will still experience the emotional and internal physical symptoms in the normal way.

Pre-Menstrual Tension and Fibromyalgia

As we have already mentioned the culmination of both Pre-Menstrual Tension (PMT) and Fibromyalgia can be an extremely difficult combination to deal with. While one can leave the woman feeling depressed and low in energy levels the other - Fibromyalgia - can add to these low energy levels with fatigue, muscle cramps and other symptoms associated directly with Fibromyalgia.

Indeed such is the level of discomfort felt that depression can take hold and make matters worse.

If you are a woman and suffer from both of these conditions then you should consult with your doctor who will be able to advise on what is the best course of action to take. He or she may suggest supplements which can increase body energy levels and blood sugar levels or they may suggest a short term course of anti-depressants which will not only help with depression but can also assist with a reduction in pain.

They may also suggest taking a diuretic which allows the body to expel excess water especially if water retention occurs. This water retention coupled with aching joints and muscles can make walking, bending and the use of the limbs difficult and painful so any means of expelling excess water during this period is a good idea and you should consider your doctor's advice strongly if he or she recommends it.

Further Information

If you are one of the thousands of women who suffer from this condition during the course of your period it is best to consult with your doctor and describe in as much detail as you can the nature of your symptoms. He or she will give you as much help and support as they can and will also suggest what course of action to take such as the use of medicines or alternative therapies in order to combat the problem.