Premenstrual Tension is an inconvenience for many women, usually occurring a few days before the menstrual cycle, leading many to experience nervous breakdowns, bloating, cramps, headaches, irritability, and easy crying. But it disappears with the onset of menstruation.
So what causes all this fluctuation? The main reason is a hormonal imbalance, primarily of estrogen, during the period leading up to menstruation. “These hormones have physical and psychological influences on women. But we cannot see it as something bad,” explains Esther Vilela, coordinator of Women’s Health at the Ministry of Health.
PMS is not the same for everyone. Each woman is unique, and this concentration of hormones manifests in different ways, fluctuating from one day to the next. Therefore, it is normal for them to hear that they are like phases, just like the moon. “We are indeed like phases, like the waxing moon, which is the estrogenic phase of proliferation for women, and this phase influences mood, attitudes, and disposition,” emphasizes Vilela.
Lifestyle is also associated with PMS. “Often, it is water retention caused by excess progesterone and hormones in the premenstrual phase. The intake of coffee, soda, sugar, spicy food, fatty food, salt, and smoking should be avoided. PMS occurs because it accumulates, in a way, a whole set of excesses or imbalances that women experience throughout the month,” she emphasizes.
Tips to relieve PMS
You already know that PMS is part of a natural cycle of a woman’s body. Another thing you need to know is that a good diet is essential. Therefore, consume light foods such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole carbohydrates 
, plenty of water, and teas.
Another important tip is to engage in exercise, as it releases endorphins, responsible for the feeling of well-being, and helps to calm and relieve pain. However, the coordinator emphasizes that physical activity is essential throughout the entire month, not just during PMS.
In more specific cases with stronger pain, medication may be prescribed. “There are cases of endometriosis that need to be investigated, but in normal cases, it is important to know and respect your body, because menstruation is not bad; it is a natural cycle, it is a time for women to get to know themselves,” concludes Esther Vilela.
Source: Blog da Saúde, by Luíza Tiné