Download - Women, Emotions & PMS
Damsels in DiSTRESS
Huyen TranApril 2011
Emotions &PM
S
Women
What is PMS?
● Affects 75% of women● Emotional & physical symptoms occur up
to 2 weeks before period
Premenstrual Syndrome
Emotional symptoms include:Anxiety
Depression
Irritability
Mood Swings
Hormones
Low levels of progesterone affects GABA amino acid which regulates anxiety
Progesterone levels also affect dopamine, which is related to motivation
Higher estrogen levels can affect serotonin, which regulates mood
Lower estrogen levels affect acetylecholine, which is needed for focus, attention and memory
What’s a girl to do?
write in a diary or journal
Avoid caffeine alcohol
do yoga
sleep
track your cyclebreathing exercises
WARN those around you
Minimize STRESS
Vitamin D
aromatherapy
massage therapy
birth control
antidepressants
hormonal creams
EXERCISE!Take IRON
supplements
Calcium
salt sugar intake
LifestyleDay to day living habits like sleep, exercise &
nutrition impact PMS•Tons of suggestions available on the internet, books•More information can help search for appropriate remedies
Lifestyle makeovers are HARD-need a program to help a woman identify her individual problems and gradually take steps toward changing her habits-info alone does not invite action
MedicationSense of inevitability regarding PMS encourages using meds like pain relief, antidepressants, birth control
The TRUTH“The real fact is that suffering related to menstrual cycles is unnecessary– and not caused by bad luck but by bad habits, environmental toxins, and stress.”
--Mark Hyman, M.D.
Meds can make the pain go away & help regulate hormones…… but they don’t address underlying health habits
Awareness
…keep a diary to understand your emotions
…track your cycle so you know when to expect
Reduce the stress of the unknown…
Tech Solution: Period Tracking Mobile Apps
The Bad:● Requires a smartphone● Requires entering input● Stores info but doesn’t
concretely help change behavior
The Good:● Convenient ,
accessible● Analyzes your
personal data
Awareness a good thing?
● A recent study:
The pain was greater if it will happen again: The effect of anticipated continuation on retrospective discomfort
● Information and awareness are good but must be wary of information overload
● Knowledge is good, but still missing the path to actions & results
There are a number of things women can do to deal with the emotional symptoms of PMS…
…but what is lacking is HOW can we get them to actually
change their behavior to turn around bad health habits in
order to enjoy these solutions?
…and can we do it with calming technology?
Resources
1. http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/premenstrual-syndrome/overview.html
2. http://www.periodpain.com.au/moodchanges
3. http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/pms/causes.shtml
4. http://drhyman.com/how-to-eliminate-pms-in-5-simple-steps-2238/
5. http://www.livestrong.com/article/144694-remedies-for-controlling-emotions-during-pms/#ixzz1K9FcPOqI
6. [anticipation study] http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/xge/140/1/63/
7. Check out these Tweeters on Twitter @myevery28days & @re_Cycling_SMCR