PMS: Real or imaginary?

[prolesunited]

Poll question: PMS: Real or imaginary?

Feel free to share stories about yourself or people you know.

Poll result (81 votes)
Real problem with psychological manifestations; I'm a woman	(52 votes, 64%)	Vote
Real problem with psychological manifestations; I'm a man	(16 votes, 20%)	Vote
Easy excuse for a woman to be moody/snippy; I'm a man	(1 votes, 1%)	Vote
Easy excuse for a woman to be moody/snippy; I'm a woman	(3 votes, 4%)	Vote
Other (explain)	(9 votes, 11%)	Vote

[Book Lover]

1. Exists but is also an excuse

Just like stomachaches, morning sickness, and whiplash.

[nini]

34. an excuse for what?

do you mean if you have any of these you should still be able to do your normal things?

Depends on the severity of the symptoms....


Whiplash is a pain.. I had it once and it freaking hurts and affected me all the way to my fingers where I couldn't do any fine motor skills.

I know there are people who make excuses in life but a good womping case of PMS is no fun.

[Book Lover]

38. Getting

out of what you might want to get out of. PMS, stomachache, whiplash leave no visible symptoms, and so can be used by folks who want to excuse themselves from whatever. Sheesh - I did NOT say these things were imaginary. I said they are used by people as excuses to get out of gym class, a crappy day at work, whatever.

[nini]

40. I know what you meant.. but because they are invisible..

there's a lot of people who really do feel like crap that people think they're faking because of all the idiots who abuse it.

We agree.. I must not have conveyed my opinion too clearly.

[Book Lover]

42. My apologies

My nose got out of joint a bit when I read your post, for which I apologize. We are in complete agreement that there are those that abuse, not use, these terms.

[nini]

43. no problemo

I didn't realize how it could have sounded until I saw your response.

that's a problem with this type of conversation as you don't get the tone of voice, inflection etc..


we're cool

[Supormom]

2. Oh, it's real!

YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT?!?!

[JVS]

3. I voted other

It is clearly the work of demon spirits!

[prolesunited]

4. Didn't one of Bush's

women's health-care appointees advocate prayer as a cure for PMS?

BTW, I do hope you're joking about demon spirits.

[JVS]

The demons must be cast out with chocolate and beer!

[tigereye]

18. you are not serious proles, are you?

Did someone really say that?//!!! That's right up there with the wandering uTerus problem from the classical days.

[prolesunited]

28. OK, I had some of the details wrong

but not too wrong.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Feminist Majority Foundation joins a coalition of women’s groups and Congressional leaders at a press conference today on Capitol Hill to tell the Bush Administration that a doctor who gives theology precedence over science should not be appointed as chair or a member of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee.
<snip>

In a Focus on the Family article written in response to the Andrea Yates case, entitled "Beyond Baby Blues: Is Post Partum Depression a Diagnosis or an Excuse," Hager makes no mention of the biological causes of this disease. Instead, he names guilt and post partum unattractiveness as causes, and recommends paternal involvement and reading of Scriptures.

"Dr. Hager must not be allowed to turn back the clock on women’s healthcare policy in the US," said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. "Faith healers used to be confined to gospel tents. Now we want to put them in the highest offices of NIH and the FDA. Enough is enough."
http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?i...


BTW, he did get the appointment:
Despite fervent protests from a multitude of feminist and women’s groups and key members of Congress, W. David Hager, an anti-abortion rights doctor who mixes the practice of medicine and religion, was among eleven physicians appointed Tuesday to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs. Hager, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Kentucky, is a member of the Christian Medical Association (CMA) and represented the group in its recent petition to the FDA seeking an immediate ban on mifepristone (also known as RU-486 and the “abortion pill”) as well as a complete review of its approval.
http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?i...

[tigereye]

37. oh my god! That is unbelieveable!

I cannot believe that. Doctors everywhere should be complaining. Imagine saying that post-partum depression is a sham. I have met people, however, who seem to believe that many medical and psychiatric illnesses are bunk. It is truly scary.

If these types of appoinements are not enough to make sane people run to pull the Kerry lever in November, I don't know what will!

[tigereye]

39. is there a petition or someone to call to complain about this?

[dmr]

46. No, you're not wrong, he did say it!

From American Association of University Women website:

President Bush has announced his plan to select Dr. W. David Hager to head up the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee. Hager is a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist, and sources told Time magazine that in his private practice he will not prescribe contraceptives to unmarried women. He is also the author of a book which suggests that women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome should seek help from reading the bible and praying.

more ...

http://www.aauwbridgeport.org/pub/Hager.htm

He's another clueless jerk.

[prolesunited]

54. Thank you for finding that

It was what I was thinking of, but only had time to do a quick Google search on it and just found the one I posted.

So many of his appointments have been the exact opposite of what qualities and positions an advocate should possess.

[flaminlib]

5. Other/...

Id like to answer but my wife has her nails in my throat.

[Blue-Jay]

6. Hell, I don't know.

I've never dated a woman who suffered from more than the occasional bout of cramps. I'd guess that it's a very real thing for some women, but I've never experienced any serious mood-issues in others.

</knocks wood>

[Kadie]

7. Well, it is easy to get cranky

when you feel like your insides are being twisted and turned and pulled and stretched. Then some smart ass comes along and says something like "What's your problem?" LOL

There is so much to PMS. Pre - During - and Post. Can't really describe it to it's fullest to someone who hasn't felt it.

[Wickerman]

8. I don't know the answer

but don't do your taxes with your spouse while she is PMS (/lunabushflinching)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. It sure seemed to me like my ex-wife had AMS

All Month Syndrome

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. i am currently in a crappy mood

with the worst cramps...dont tell me its all in fuckign head

[maveric]

11. PMS joke: A new radio station is now on the airwaves, KPMS...

the format is 3 weeks of mood music followed by a week of ragtime.

Sorry, I just couldnt resist.

[prolesunited]

12. Hey

That was worth a chuckle.

[Whitacre D_WI]

29. HOLY SHIT!

That is the funniest joke I've ever heard!

[nini]

31. tsk tsk tsk

LOL

[BiggJawn]

13. It exists.

Some woman will offer to KILL me if I don't say it's so!


Seriously, I have been in several realtionships where it was like dating 2 different people. Things are good for a coupla weeks, then I'm with either a moody, depressed crying machine for a week, or someone I checked for weapons before she comes in...

No way to live, for either party....

[YellowRubberDuckie]

14. It's a real thing...

And it's freaking me out that my cycle has aligned with a few people on here. I know it's happened here at the dorm but I've never heard of it online. WEIRD. PMS is real and medically proven. It is used as an excuse by manipulative women to get what they want. Anyway, I've got a horrible bout of cramps right now, and this thread almost pissed me off. Anyone have some chocolate they want to share?
Duckie

[Blue-Jay]

15. Gotta be a coincidence.

There's no way you can "synch up" online. I think it has something to do with pheromones, IIRC. Unless you have the new Smell-O-Vision monitor...

[kitkatrose]

16. I have a semi-melted Snickers bar in my freezer,

would that help? and heatpacks for you.

[tigereye]

20. which chocolate do you like?

I have regular Hersheys and some with cayenne pepper that I got for Valentines day? Actually, caffeine is said to make cramps worse. I always used to eat Mint Milanos, though, they were my favorite "eat everything in sight since it's my period" food.

Your cycle aligns with people online? That is interesting too, I always read that you needed to be around the other women to exchange pheronomes or whatever causes the cycling.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

32. You guys are so sweet!!

I was kidding about the sincing up thing...And I like Milk Chocolate. Wish the people who lived around here were that sweet.
Duckie

[Scout]

57. You could be in sync with people from online...

if your cycle matches that of the moon.

Who just had a thread, in meeting room I think, about women's menstrual cycle coinciding with full moon and/or new moon.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. I don't like your poll

PMS need not have any psychological manifestations to be real...the physiological ones are measurable...ask me anything..my Ex is an OB GYN

[blondeatlast]

22. Read post 21--I know it's physiological. nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

19. It's real; but I wonder why

people have only started discussing it in the last 20 years or so.

It makes me wonder if the real culprit is some environmental factor.

[tigereye]

23. what always bothers me

is the way that science tends to pathologize many aspects of women's physiology like this. Although I do realize that for some women, PMS is truly difficult mentally and physically and probably does require medication of some sort to alleviate both types of symptoms.

For me it was usually one pre-period day of crying for no reason and a giant headache. And then I would say, "Oh, yeah my period!" I used to have 24 hours only of nasty cramps in my cycle before I had a kid; now they are less intense but off and on for a few days. After ibuprofen became over the counter, I never had a bad problem. That stuff is the "food of the gods."

I do think there is a hormonal and mood component to one's period generally.

[blondeatlast]

24. I've had physiological symptoms a lot longer than 20 years.

Serious ones, related to insulin-dependent diabetes, insulin shock, ketoacidosis.

Thank God it is probably over, even if I'm only 44.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

36. Because prior to that time women went to Dr.s upset and were given valium

or a hysterectomy. Hell, heart disease is just as prevalent in women as in men once women are post-menopausal and is MORE dangerous in women than men at younger ages dues to our smaller vascular physiology, but up until the last 20 years it wasn't even studied..no long term studies equals NO treatment.

This was one of the benefits of the women's movement was having medicine and DRUG companies treat women as consumers worthy of long term studies.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

55. Jeeeeeeeze!

Your post reawakened the memory of my mom taking valium briefly, then stopping because she didn't like the effect it was having on her (basically making her unable to function with small kids in the house).

Everything was just chalked up to "vapors" and "women's little problems". Thanks for posting!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

56. One of my ex's is an OBGYN with a master's in public health

She could literally lecture for hours on this subject. She DID lecture me

[blondeatlast]

21. Now that I'm in a very early menopause, I don't have it.

I used to be Vlada the Impaleress one week outta the month. Proves it's real to me.

And--it always screwed up my diabetes control as well with rapid glucose changes. I could almost go off insulin one week out of the month, and I have taken injections since age 7!

I know from DB boards that my situation wasn't unique, too.

[SW FL Dem]

26. Isn't Perimenopause fun? NOT

I had minor PMS/cramps when I was younger. Perimenopause is a whole different story. I have hot flashes at mid cycle and for several days before my period. I find my self alternately screaming or crying for no reason. My periods are still fairly regular in timing but I can never predict if they will be light or long and heavy. The only good thing is that cramps are a thing of the past. When my estrogen drops at midcycle or before my period, I feel like I've been hit by a truck, no energy and headaches. This has been going on for the past 3 years and according to my gyn, could last for another 5-8 years.

[blondeatlast]

52. Last year was miserable, not only did I have the hot flashes, but I was on

Niaspan for blood lipids, which causes hot flashes. I would walk outdoors at night when it was barely over freezing and still feel I was being burned alive. Once I just passed out midsentence!

UGH!

I'm not even sure I'm going through it. I haven't had a period in months and am still on the pill (to control bleeding and anemia--the worst!). A while back though, I had oone that lasted nearly 3 weeks!

Funny, I don't miss them at all (which means I'll have one next week, no doubt!).

Rumor has it there is an end to it--bith my much older sisters are still going through it, though. I'm only 44, but I suspect my lifelong diabetes and late childbirth have something to do with it.

[gpandas]

25. pms

how could any MAN have an opinion on this?

[Liberal Christian]

27. Anyone can have an opinion about anything

But men who live with women who suffer from PMS can probably gauge the reality of it. They can probably gauge it better than I can, even though I'm a woman. I've never had mood swings, headaches, or any of the other manifestations. Never had any PMS symptoms at all.

[Blue-Jay]

30. Men are sometimes subjected to it.

Do you have to actually experience something to have a valid opinion on it?

I've never experienced combat, but I'm pretty sure it sucks. I have opinions on racism, but I'm not black. I'm against any form of sexism, but I'm not a woman. I hate age-ism, but I'm not old. Maybe I should re-think all of the opinions that I hold dear because I've not experienced it personally. I suppose I'm not allowed in your playbook to have an opinion on abortion either.

Think before you post, please.

[gpandas]

35. sorry again, but

i thought an opinion was based on observable facts, i din't know that opinion was any kind of wild ass thing that you care to put on paper. please don't tell me when to think. also, i must remind you to look at the original message asking whether it is real or imagined, and imo that a man has no way to answer this. you brought up the EXPERIENCE thing yourself and then proceed to correct my "thinking" based on something that i never said.

[Blue-Jay]

41. Sorry about that.

You'll think when you feel like it someday.

You have to be able to have PMS to observe it, then?

I think it's (PMS) probably a real thing, but since I've never had it, I'll STFU. (that's what you want, right?)

Gotta go. No time to poke you with a stick anymore.

[gpandas]

45. pms

so you THINK its a real thing,now that's really intertesting. what do you THINK i should do about the condition of my lawn? is stick poking the way you treat all newbies?

[buddhamama]

33. it's real

the cramps, bloating (i swear i gain ten pounds every month due to water retention) general body aches, food cravings.

i'm not affected by mood swings much,
but i do become more withdrawn.

[LWolf]

44. Absolutely real.

At age 44, I finally recognize it coming. It took me a couple of decades.

One day, I wake up, and no matter how beautiful the day is, my world is falling to pieces. It is destroyed, unrepairable, and I spend the day in the deepest pits of dark despair. I don't get snippy with people; I generally don't share where I'm at. I don't take it out on others, or look for any extra attention. To the contrary, I avoid the world. But on that one day, I'm convinced that my life has been a pointless failure, and that I have another half a life-time of pointless misery ahead of me.

I wake up the next morning and think, "Oh...so it...again." And life is back to normal.

These days, I just hang on grimly, knowing that life will be back to normal tomorrow and that it isn't life that is getting me down, but a hormonal shift.

3 decades and counting, like clockwork. It is not imaginary.

[fudge stripe cookays]

47. Mine have gotten worse as I've gotten older...

I never had cramps or anything growing up, but would be a little more emotional. Then, around 22 or so, I started having terrible backaches.

My first day I practically have to walk bent over because the back pain is so intense. A deep, dull, thudding pain deep in the small of my back.

And then the cramps start. The first day I HAVE taken the day off work from time to time. Number one, I can barely walk, number two, I'm in agony most of the day.

I'm not "getting out of" anything. I have sick days; I use them. And yes, thank God for Motrin. I pop them like jellybeans for at least 3 days straight.

[everythingsxen]

48. It's real.. I think..

[TOhioLiberal]

49. Real....

& Im a woman.

[kiahzero]

50. Exists, and I'm a man

However, if I recall the medical definition correctly, it's not the same thing as menstruation, like some people claim.

[Nikia]

51. Real but is different for different women

When I was a teenager, I referred to DMS (during) in which I had bad cramps and felt weak. My cousin of the same age also had these problems and her mother let her stay home from school a day every month when these effects were at their worst. My step mother had horrible mood swings but made fun of me for being almost disabled by cramps. Now I take the pill and usually don't have bad cramps and am not as physically drained. I am a tad bit more sensitive emotionally but it only manifests itself in situations where I'd be upset anyway.
I think that every women has slightly different effects. I read that the mood swing effect increases as a woman ages, common in her late 30's and 40's where as cramps and other physical effects are more common in her late teens and 20's. There are hormonal changes and every woman is affected differently, just like puberty affects teenagers differently.

[SarahB]

53. When your progesterone level crashes....

Before your period or after you give birth, yes it can have an emotional effect. I used to have it pretty bad (entire day spent in tears feeling miserable) until I cut sugar and white flour out of my diet. Now, I often forget my period's coming because I don't have those symptoms. I don't know if this would work for everyone, but it helped me quite a bit. Natural progesterone cream can help as well. I hope it doesn't come back because if family history is any indication, I've still got another 20+ years left.