#PODCAST: SPM WITH MAJOR MOUVEMENT AND SABRINA

In this podcast we welcome Major Mouvement and Sabrina from Princess Perineum, to talk about premenstrual symptoms, better known as PMS, and the taboos that reside around it.

What is PMS?

PMS encompasses all disorders around the phase just before your period (2 to 7 days), whether physical or psychological.

Why is PMS taboo?

The origin of PMS pain is not well known today. It is even considered a myth by health professionals. We distinguish the taboo of pain, where women are used to having pain and consider it as something normal, but also the taboo around mental health. These taboos are all the more present in our society where the workload or more generally the mental load that women undergo, for example at work, does not allow them to take into account their cycles and all the physical and emotional fluctuations that result from them. However, at work for example, taking into account women's cycles would make it possible to improve the productivity of women at work in particular. This can be applied more generally to all types of pain and all people. Sabrina even tells us that beyond PMS, we need to deconstruct the productivity of human beings in the workplace.

Why is PMS scary?

PMS is, for many, associated with psychology. In fact, there is a whole psychological aspect with symptoms linked to emotions, changes in mood, sometimes even profound sadness, etc. We talk about premenstrual dysphoric disorder for the most severe psychological disorders. It is estimated that 3 to 8% of women of childbearing age are affected by this disorder. The most common symptoms of this disorder are: depressed mood, anxiety, and emotional instability more important than in the classic forms of PMS.

The causes of PMS in general, and PMDD in particular, are not well known, but some health professionals agree that the causes are hormonal, since it always happens at the same time of the cycle.

Who gets PMS?

All women can suffer from PMS, with more or less severe forms. Hormonal fluctuations in the second part of the cycle are thought to be responsible for PMS. Indeed, the secretion of estrogen will drop at this time while that of progesterone will increase, and finally drop if there is no pregnancy.

Sabrina explains that today, women are still not listened to enough, it is not normal to have pain during the period or before. Pain or even an emotional upheaval should not impact us in our daily lives. It is not normal.

How to identify PMS?

Physical symptoms include fatigue, hyperactivity, pain (e.g. tender and swollen breasts), swelling in the lower abdomen and acne. Psychological problems include irritability, low libido and mood swings. 75% of menstruating women experience mild PMS as their period approaches and 20-30% of women experience severe PMS that interferes with their daily activities. Sometimes, the bad reputation of PMS and more generally of menstruation contributes to the underestimation of the real pains and disorders. PMS is not necessarily constant, it can be due to emotional overload.

To learn more about PMS: What is PMS?

Our other podcasts with Major Movement: Endometriosis with Major Movement

The mental load with Major Movement

To gain serenity and avoid any type of unexpected event during the premenstrual phase, we invite you to take a look at our collection of menstrual panties, to be ready for when the period arrives!