Vivadie

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) is a very common condition affecting up to 81% of women of reproductive age, with a higher incidence among adolescents. In this age group, dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological disorder and the leading cause of absence from school or work. Dysmenorrhea presents as severe, persistent pelvic pain that typically begins with the onset of menstruation and lasts for one to three days. Other symptoms may include headaches, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, and irritability. However, dysmenorrhea is not the only disorder that can arise during the menstrual cycle! During the luteal phase (the second phase of the menstrual cycle, spanning from ovulation to the start of menstruation), other physical symptoms—such as breast tenderness and pain, water retention, and abdominal bloating—may occur, alongside psycho-behavioral issues like irritability, anxiety, depression, sadness, mood swings, insomnia, and food cravings. This is known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a condition that manifests with very severe symptoms in one in ten women, negatively impacting their quality of life and social relationships. Although the exact causes of PMS remain unclear, the various symptoms are rooted in the hormonal imbalance (estrogen/progesterone) characteristic of the luteal phase and alterations in serotonin neurotransmission (serotonin being the "happiness hormone"), which significantly affects mood.