Is Menopause Like Having PMS?

Menopause and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are related conditions, but they are not the same. Menopause and PMS share symptoms but are caused by different factors and are treated in different ways.

Definitions

According to MayoClinic.com, menopause can be considered the opposite of PMS. Menopause occurs when menstruation ends and fertility ceases in women, about a year after the final menstrual cycle. Premenstrual syndrome, on the other hand, occurs in the week prior to the menstrual cycle.

Symptoms

Menopause and PMS share symptoms such as headaches, mood changes and sleeping difficulties. Menopause is distinguished by hot flashes, weight gain and vaginal dryness.

Diagnosis

Menopause is a natural event but may involve blood tests to determine if hormone levels are healthy and to rule out other causes of menopause symptoms, such as hypothyroidism. Symptoms of PMS are usually diagnosed using observation of symptoms alone.

Treatment

Menopause may be treated with hormone therapy, but lifestyle modifications such as eating a healthy diet and exercising routinely generally prove to be effective for both PMS and menopause. Both conditions may also be treated with prescription antidepressants, depending on the circumstances.

Misconceptions

Symptoms accompanying menopause are considered inevitable by many women. Fortunately, however, some women experience no bothersome symptoms.

References

• MayoClinic.com: Menopause
• MayoClinic.com: Premenstrual Syndrome