As we age, we’re familiar with the typical complaints: aches and pains, graying hair, the onset of menopause. For many women, however, the thought of no longer having a period offers a sense of relief.
Yet there are times when this reprieve doesn’t live up to expectations. Instead, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can actually worsen as you get closer to menopause.
At Solace Women's Care, Dr. Farly Sejour, women’s health nurse practitioner Natalie Gould, and our team are well-versed in the complexities of PMS. We're here to help you understand why these symptoms may intensify with age.
As you approach perimenopause (the transition into menopause), your hormone levels begin to fluctuate more wildly. Estrogen and progesterone, which play integral roles in regulating your menstrual cycle, can swing unpredictably.
These hormonal changes don’t just impact your period — they can make PMS symptoms more severe. You might notice that mood swings, bloating, irritability, and even physical symptoms like breast tenderness become harder to manage.
Your body’s ability to cope with hormonal fluctuations becomes less efficient as you age, which can leave you feeling more overwhelmed and less in control. Even small shifts in estrogen or progesterone can lead to stronger PMS symptoms, leaving you feeling more vulnerable to the emotional and physical toll of your cycle.
What once might have been manageable can now feel much more intense, from heightened mood swings to more pronounced fatigue and irritability. This increased sensitivity makes it harder for your body to find balance, which can leave you feeling off your game each month.
With age often come added responsibilities — career changes, caring for aging parents, or managing shifting family dynamics. These stressors can pile on, and stress has a direct impact on your hormone levels.
When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol, which can disrupt your delicate hormonal balance. This, in turn, can worsen PMS symptoms. Whether it’s irritability, bloating, or heightened anxiety, the emotional and physical toll of stress can make PMS feel much more intense.
One of the more frustrating aspects of aging is the change in sleep patterns. As we get older, it becomes harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get restful, restorative sleep. This lack of sleep can have a domino effect, amplifying PMS symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating.
When your body isn’t getting the rest it needs, your PMS symptoms can feel more draining: physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Getting older doesn’t mean you’re stuck dealing with worsening PMS symptoms. At Solace Women’s Care, we develop a plan to help you manage your symptoms and keep them from getting worse. Call our Conroe, Texas, office at 936-441-7100 or send us a message online today.
