What Causes Excessive Anxiety And Stress Before Menstrual Cycle?

Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015

Question: Dr XXXXXXX Heijebu,
I feel lot of anxiety and stress , since a week before my menstrual cycle starts every month. During that time , Iam very emotional and extremely sensitive.Please suggest any over the counter medicine.

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible Premenstrual syndrome.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

I understand your concern.

Your symptoms are suggestive of Premenstrual syndrome(PMS).

Reducing salt, caffeine, and stress along with increasing exercise is typically all that is recommended in those with mild symptoms.

Calcium and vitamin D supplementation may also be useful.

Antiinflammatories such as naproxen may help to relieve symptoms.

In those with more significant symptoms birth control pills may be useful.

Even without treatment, symptoms tend to decrease as age progresses in perimenopausal period.

So do not worry.

Post your further queries if any,

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (17 hours later)

I heard that naproxen is a pain reliever medicine. If Iam correct, then what way can it relieve my stress or anxiety?Kindly answer.

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Naproxen reduces pain as well as behavioural changes.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

Welcome again,

Yes Naproxen is an NSAID having both central and peripheral action.

Naproxen sodium is known to reduce, both menstrual and premenstrual 'pain' during active drug treatment

A significant improvement of premenstrual 'behavioral changes' which is probably related to the relief of painful symptomatology is also known to occur

To conclude naproxen sodium is a useful and safe drug in the treatment of premenstrual and menstrual pain related symptoms.

Post your further queries if any,

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (5 hours later)

Please specify the dosage and potency of the Naproxen so that I can buy them and use at the earliest.

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Naproxen is well tolerated drug.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

Welcome again,

You can start Naproxen 500 mg twice daily after food for 2-3 days depending on the severity of symptoms.

Its a well tolerated drug with good potency.

Post your further queries if any,

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (4 hours later)

Thanks.How long should I use the medication? I mean for how many months doctor?

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Naproxen can be taken for 3-6 menstrual cycles(when you have pain)

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

Naproxen need not be used as a course in your case.You can take the tablet for 2-3 days when you have Premenstrual symptoms.

It can be taken for 3-6 months.

If still symptoms persist, I advise you to get an Ultrasound abdomen.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (29 hours later)

Thanks.I took Naproxen two doses.Feeling slight nausea and burning pain in the stomach.Is it ok to continue?

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possible side effect of the drug.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

Its most common side effect of the drug.

Nothing to worry.

I generally advise my patients with these complaints to take oral tablets of Tab.Pantoprazole before breakfast once daily on the day of taking Naproxen.So please check with your doctor and see if
he/she shares my view and if can prescribe the same to you.

Post your further queries if any,

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (25 hours later)

Thanks doctor.My doctor prescribed Zegerid OTC when I called him yesterday.Can I use it instead of pantaprazole?

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you can take Zegerid OTC.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

Welcome again,

Yes, Zegerid is Omeprazole, which is another proton pump inhibitor with similar action as pantoprazole.

Nothing to worry.

You can take the drug once daily before breakfast.

Post your further queries if any,

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (34 hours later)

Doctor thanks.One more thing I forgot to tell you is I had an ultrasound 1 month back.It showed 1.5 cm cyst in the right ovary and 2cm cyst in the left ovary.what does it mean?

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide me the following information.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

I can guide you better if you provide me following information:
1.Marital status?
2.No of children?
3.Any contraceptive methods?

Post your further queries if any,

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (1 hour later)

Thank you..

Yes I am married, two male children,permanent steri through assure.

Regards

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
As of now,you don't need any treatment for ovarian cysts.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

Normally cysts in the ovary can be related to hormonal imbalance.

Cysts <5 cm doesn't need any treatment.

So nothing to worry.

Get periodic Ultrasound abdomen to look for any increase in size of cysts.

Smaller cysts will be resolved on their own.

Post your further queries if any,

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (5 hours later)

Ok thanks.But I used to take OC pills before 6 months.Is this the cause for it?

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Estrogen has some role in ovarian cysts.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

Welcome again,

Yes, estrogen component in OC Pills is known to cause cysts.

I can guide you better if you tell me how much duration (for how many months) you have taken OC Pills?.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (43 minutes later)

Doctor I used OC pills for 6 months only.Now I had Permanent sterilization 3 months back.is it ok?

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry.Short term usage doesn't lead to hyperestrogenic state.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,

Welcome again,

Nothing to worry.

Long-term use of estrogens leads to cysts in the ovary.

It could be related to the hormonal imbalance in your case.

Just get regular follow up scan to look for any increase in the size of cysts.

Post your further queries if any,

Thank you.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T