Comments on: Debunking the PMS Myth

By: Sherri bunk

Sherri bunk — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:25:11 +0000

Did a man write this?
I find it odd that at the beginning of the article you said, “pms isn’t real”, but then you continue to talk about the fact that 5% of women actually experience pms-like symptoms. So which is it?
Overall I get the feeling that even though you proved yourself wrong you still think pms isn’t real.
Look, pms is real. Ok, girls? Maybe you just don’t get the symptoms

By: Simone Perlman

Simone Perlman — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:58:42 +0000

sorry, I don’t understand. On the one hand, you’re saying PMS is a myth created by society to undermine women… and on the other hand you’re buying into PMDD- which is THE epitomy of the medicalization of menstruation?

Look, I understand why it’s unpopular to consider PMS a reality for many people… and I also am just as versed in the history as you are. It’s true that there are so many symptoms attributed to that time of the month, so may that it could be attributable to everybody alive, even men.

But perhaps you should learn more about what happens to your body hormonally during your cycle… because guess what? Your hormones change! And guess what! Hormones affect your body and mind a great deal…meaning they affect your emotions too. Think we’ve got the world of hormones under our belt? Think again. We’ve only just begun to understand all the hormones circulating our bodies, where they are produced and absorbed, and how the affect people’s bodies differently.

By the way, commentators- PMS is PRE- before, not during. Though it’s interesting that some people feel crappy during their period, there’s a whole other flux of hormones that comes on at cycle day one. You’re talking about a whole other animal.

Also commentators- if you’re talking about the Pill then you’re opinions about PMS in relation to your “period” isn’t valid. You don’t actually have a period when you’re on the pill. Yes I know, you bleed every month just like a period, you get cramps every month just like a period, you experience that mythical syndrome that doesn’t exist unless you’ve got a full blown mental disorder…. but actually folks- that’s breakthrough bleeding.

Anyway, as an obvious sufferer of PMS and as someone who knows her cycle as best she can… There are months when I don’t chart my cycle, and it never fails that my craziest day is cycle day 21. Usually it’s my lover or a glance at my calendar several days later that clues me in. That’s just me, but it’s during the luteal phase, ie. post-ovulation, the time when most people complain of PMS symptoms.

So, instead of being a politico and contributing to the boxing match of 3rd wave feminists… why not try exploring anatomy more and offering support to women who actually experience feeling dumpy before they menstruate. Because I’m pretty sure that globally it’s more than 5% (all you have to do is ask), and I’m pretty sure we’re not dealing with a world of women in need of psychotropics

What women need is support, not to be told that they’re delusional or in need of drugs.

Sincerely,

a woman on day 26

By: AMF

AMF — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:09:43 +0000

Actually, in Medeival times– in at least some places, a woman’s period was considered natural and something to be celebrated. In 15th century England, when a girl got her first period, she would sit outside with her female relatives who would brush her hair and teach her various things about being a woman as she bled onto the ground and her blood was returned to the earth.

What you’re referring to is a belief from I believe the 17th or 18th century, though it persisted until well into Victorian times. I know that it’s common practice to call anything considered ignorant or superstitious Medeival, but they did not have a monopoly on stupid– they believed some stupid things back then, just like people believed some stupid things in later centuries, just like we believe some things that in a hundred years are going to look stupid to our descendants.

I was surprised a couple years ago to find out that in past times, and today in most of the countries of the world, there was/is no such thing as PMS. Most women in Africa or Asia don’t claim to experience it, in surveys. I’m glad someone’s spreading awareness about it– I’m against fighting ignorance in every way.

By: Eidie

Eidie — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:54:14 +0000

I wish I could hug you right now: FINALLY.
You know, I’m from a different culture and women are expected to be rational and be in control of themselves. There’s no white in shining armor you’ll be your own knight. It’s very different!
No one in that country has ever complained about PMS let alone periods. They don’t seem any nastier to people.
To us it’s just a natural process, nothing to be dramatic about. No men would ever tell you “it’s that time of the month”-ever or dismiss you because you are Pmsing.

The moment I came to the US I was just sitting there thinking: is there something wrong with me? I don’t feel hysterical or especially emotional. Also, apparently just exercising can alleviate a lot of pain (I tried, it works for me). It is very annoying for me to be angry or be somewhat aggressive (hey, I’m just born that way!) without someone telling me I’m Pmsing.

You’re really spot on with the cultural component because if out of the 10 countries I’ve been in nobody seems to have that….then yeah maybe it really is 5% of the population.
I have a friend who ends up in the hospital- it’s really that bad in her case- she gets extremely high fevers and has to stay in bed. It’s serious but it’s more physically serious than anything.
The others who are just there in “agony” eating ice cream and watching an entire season of a show because they are sad don’t really get sympathy from me. (It’s ok, they don’t need to anyways)

By: Miranda

Miranda — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:08:49 +0000

Ok this is all bullsh*t. I dont know about any other girls but I do know that along with the cramps, headaches, bloating, laziness & cravings for every food on the planet, I do get emotional symptoms as well. I get depressed and feel alone & i can be happy one min and angry the next. I just can’t help it. I imagine some girls get symptoms less than others & some none at all so it is possible some girls use pms as an excuse but 5% is definitely waay to low. Its not a myth.

By: Otherwordly Apple

Otherwordly Apple — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:33:29 +0000

Haha, thanks for sharing “The Other Half..” :)

By: Fun

Fun — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:03:07 +0000

In reference to my earlier mention of men actually having the equivalent of PMS symptoms.
See the blow URL

http://theneave.com/male-pms-it-does-exist/

By: Fun

Fun — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:12:46 +0000

Interesting.
One thing I would say is that everyone, not just women have their hormonal cycles. Men have periods where they can become irrational and disagreeable for no noticeable reason. Maybe we have a headache or slept badly or are just over stressed with work and family. However we are still struck by this when non of those are an issue. I fully believe and understand that science backs up, that our hormones have an influence on our temperament. To deny that PMS exists is to acknowledge that hormones have an influence on behaviour. As the male side of a partnership and within all the relationships I have had in life, I have noticed varying levels of what could be considered PMS. Don’t think for a minute that men aren’t aware of their partners cycles. The same could be said for women being aware of their male counterparts patterns. Despite what you have studied in your freshmen year there is either an incredible coincidence here or the most astounding conspiracy in history going on. No matter what this article says every man knows that there are certain times that strangely occur around the same time each month where he has to up his patience, love, understanding and care for his partner – either that of make himself very scarce.
Cheers
The other half

By: Emrys

Emrys — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:54:58 +0000

In hs I noticed girls blaming when they were mean to pms. I also noticed that them blaming it on pms happened any time of the month and started to think it was just an excuse to be a b*tch. My female psych teach in college ended up saying it was a myth (much to the dismay of the female students).

Sadly I am currently unable to find my text book from that class, though I did keep it so it should be around somewhere.

By: simpleisthenewblack

simpleisthenewblack — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 05:20:25 +0000

Love it! I am going to share this with my boyfriend.