The term PMS has been coined by an English scientist, Dr. Katharina Dalton back in 1953, and ever since then, it has become a regularly used phrase. We are now at a point in history when people are comfortable talking about it, and the term is used more than ever. Researchers are increasingly trying to find the cause behind it, and more symptoms are added constantly to the already big list of ailments associated with it.

There are, however, some overlooked or rarely mentioned facts about PMS that are very intriguing and deserve a more reflective analysis.

Superhero Senses Some women report heightened senses during PMS. For some, it could be an increase in sensitivity of one of the senses like taste, or smell; while for others, all five senses are intensified. The most commonly identified increased senses are taste and hearing. It’s possible that the maximized sense of taste is associated with the food cravings that are so frequent during PMS.

Menstrual Magnification vs. PMS Although not strictly a PMS fact, there is a process called Menstrual Magnification, which brings underlying conditions like thyroid problems, eating disorders, and psychosomatic issues to the surface on the days before the period begins. These symptoms are then falsely identified as PMS.  Self-diagnosis is not recommended in this case, and a medical expert should be consulted to make sure that these are PMS symptoms and not signs of a more serious condition. 

The Age Factor During the pre-menopausal years, or roughly after 35 years of age, PMS can worsen and the symptoms can become disruptive of one’s life. This could be caused by the decrease in hormone levels in the body or by the increased responsibilities and cares of those years. There is no conclusive research on the subject and scientists are continually trying to find ways to combat this increase of symptoms to help women be more productive and happier.

Men vs. PMS Research shows that women in same sex-relationships experience milder symptoms than women in heterosexual relationships. Professor Jane Ussher of the University of Western Sidney has conducted a number of researches on the subject of PMS and has found that even though women in lesbian relationships have the same symptoms as women is heterosexual relationships, lesbian women are more likely to be able to manage their symptoms and to characterize them as mild. On evaluating these findings, Professor Ussher theorized that the reason for having milder symptoms could be that women can be more understanding and try to create a more relaxed environment for their partners, since they go through the same symptoms themselves and are aware of how PMS feels like.

PMS and the Law In countries where evolved legal systems are in place, PMS is considered a reason to reduce the sentence due to diminished mental capacity. In the USA there is some legal precedent where PMS was accepted in court as an affirmative defense to a criminal charge, and ever since the 1970’s legal experts have been considering and exploring the effects of PMS on mental capacity and the defenses that the legal community could employ.