Symptoms

Question for the girls:

• Have you every wondered why you needlessly, viciously lash out at loved ones, friends or co-workers ?
• Do you blow minor events into monumental proportions ?
• Do you shut out the world and dwell on past hurts ?
• Do your jeans mysteriously shrink two sizes once a month ?

If you answer 'Yes' to all of the above .... (and you are female) .. then you might be suffering from PMS or PMDD. If you're female and reading this .. you would probably be thinking .."yeah .. I know it already". Guys... pay attention to the above symptoms and the info below.

So here are some facts for the guys:

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) refers to the variation of physical and mood symptoms that appear during the last one or two weeks of the menstrual cycle and disappear by the end of a full flow of menses.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is the term used to describe a specific set of mood symptoms that are also present the week before menses and remit a few days after the start of menses and also interfere with social or role functioning.

How common is PMS?

Up to 80% of women have cyclic symptoms associated with their menses but only about 3-5% have symptoms so severe that it interferes with work, school, usual activities or relationships. The average onset is 26 years of age with symptoms often becoming worse over time. Other mental health problems and diagnoses are often associated with PMS and PMDD, especially major and minor depression.

Its a common condition. We all know it exists. It only lasts for a week or more. So just put up with it. Do not even attempt to try to pick a fight with us during this time. It can only turn ugly.

And when I have trouble putting on my jeans (which still fitted perfectly 2 days ago) .. "uh oh, someone has to go to the gym".. is definitely not the answer I want to hear.

So just remember that it's not entirely my fault that I nag at you when you make a stupid mistake. You know what time of the month it is. Don't do anything stupid to piss me off. Be thoughtful and sensitive. Otherwise, just make yourself scarce.

And 'No' you do not know what it feels like. So don't even try to sound like an expert. If you really wanted to know, I might be obliged to take a knife and stick it up your butt and make it bleed for 7 days. And until I do that, only then would you be coming close to understanding.

Just remember that you promised me immunity during this period of time.