Yes, PMS is real and over five million women are in the dark over the severe hormonal imbalance affecting them 10 days out of every month. They too are frightened by the violent fluctuations in mood, depression, and weight gain – women do not always what is causing this to happen to them.

I like this description I came across on PMS and the emotional phase a woman goes through using the seasons.

PHASE 1 – The Spring Phase:
The phase starts with the blood flow of the menstrual cycle and is dominated by estrogen. During this time a woman feels bright and fresh like spring. (This is after the cramps and aches associated with menstruation have stopped) New surges of life burst inside her. She is positive, assertive, outgoing, happy, energetic and well coordinated. Little threatens her, and she can accomplish almost any thing. Her relationship wither husband and kids are delightful and relaxed. The tension she felt prior to her period vanishes, and life is a whole new ball game.

PHASE 2 – The Summer Phase:
This a peaceful, happy, affirming, creative time of the month. A woman has the “warm fuzzies” for her family and friends and is generally pleased with life. She is a bit less assertive than in the spring phase but able to accomplish much. Her body is moving toward liberating an egg for fertilization. Estrogen continues to dominate.

PHASE 3 – The Midsummer Phase
Midsummer is that time during which ovulation occurs. The egg leaves the ovary for possible fertilization. A woman usually feels euphoric, motherly, peaceful, sensual, and integrative. Everything in life seems absolutely wonderful. She loves her husband and kids, who can do no wrong. All of these feelings are influenced by progesterone.

PHASE 4 – The Fall Phase:
Immediately after ovulation a woman begins to slowly lose energy as she enters the fall phase. Slight depression or the doldrums set in and she isn’t as enthusiastic about life as she was a few days ago. Suddenly her husband and children don’t seem quite so lovable. Assertiveness is a thing of the past and her confidence is droopy. It is generally suspected that during the fall and winter phase, hormones fluctuations are responsible for a host of unpleasant symptoms.

PHASE 5 – The Winter Phase:
.... PMS & PMDD TIME -

Winter sets in around the fourth week of the menstrual month, and many women become downright nasty. There are typical symptoms associated with this phase: sluggish, depressed, irritable, weepy, outburst of emotions, jumpiness, expressed resentment, expressed hostility, suspicious, frustration, sudden moods swings, irrational, supersensitive, abnormally hungry, crying over everything (the list goes on). Fortunately the menstrual flow is only a few days away and a woman will feel quite different once this begins.

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