The premenstrual syndrome: new views

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be caused by a physiological trigger that occurs while a woman is predisposed to a particular mood. A small percentage of women suffer from PMS, which is characterized by disturbances of mood that seem to occur a week to 10 days before the menstrual period (the luteal phase) and promptly cease when the period begins. However, studies have shown that there are no abnormalities in hormone secretion in women suffering from PMS. It also appears that PMS can occur in the follicular phase, which is the period of time immediately after menstruation. Certain experiences, such as physical or sexual abuse, may predispose a woman to suffer from PMS. Biological conditions such as hypothyroidism could also trigger PMS in a woman who is susceptible to mood swings.