Health scientists say
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed and irritable? Don't blame premenstrual syndrome (PMS) for everything, as it may all be nothing more than a myth, Canadian scientists have said.
Premenstrual syndrome is often blamed for women's mood swings, increased appetite, and bouts of sobbing that occur shortly before menstruation begins. However, a group of scientists decided to debunk this myth, which will certainly cause a violent reaction among women.
Researchers do not refute the physical symptoms of PMS, such as bloating, breast tenderness, abdominal pain, which are associated with the approach of menstruation. After analyzing 47 studies, researchers at the University of Toronto found no link that would confirm that the menstrual cycle leads to a bad mood a few days before menstruation.
In 18 studies, experts did not confirm the link between bad mood and any period of the month, in another 18 women were not in the mood before and after menstruation, in 7 studies, classical PMS symptoms, and 4 women were more irritable when they did not have premenstrual syndrome.
So why do so many women complain about depression and other negative feelings during this very period of the cycle?
As Gillian Einstein, one of the authors of the study, explained, PMS is a social image rooted in many cultures by a negative attitude towards menstruation — a natural feminine woman features.
Another explanation is that at this time, women are kind of allowed to be themselves and they can finally say whatever they think.
According to experts, women are sometimes capricious, sarcastic and whiny, but this is more related to the level of stress and other circumstances in their lives.