PCOS and PMS: Exploring Symptoms, Causes, and Management Options

This assignment provides a detailed comparison of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), outlining their distinct symptoms, causes, and management approaches. PCOS is characterized by elevated androgen levels, leading to menstrual disorders like oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea, infertility due to chronic anovulation, and masculinizing traits such as acne and hirsutism, often associated with insulin resistance and obesity. PMS, conversely, involves physical and emotional symptoms that occur one to two weeks before menstruation, including stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, mood swings, and physical discomforts like bloating and cramps. The assignment highlights the importance of cognitive behavioral therapy as a first-line treatment for PMS, alongside lifestyle adjustments such as a healthy diet, exercise, stress management, and vitamin supplements. It emphasizes the role of patient education and verbal communication in reducing PMS manifestations, while also underscoring the benefits of relaxation techniques. This resource is available for students seeking comprehensive information and study aids, with Desklib offering a platform for accessing similar solved assignments and past papers.

Running head: CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE TO BODY INTERGRITIY
CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE TO BODY INTERGRITIY
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Question 3
Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS refers to a set of symptoms that is mainly caused
as a result of the elevated levels of the male hormone androgen in the female body. The
clinical manifestations seen in the case of PCOS involves several menstrual disorders
generally involving oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea. There are also cases of infertility that is
mainly a result of chronic anovulation, which is due to the lack of ovulation. The clinical
manifestations of PCOS also involves the high level of masculinizing hormones. This
condition is often known as hyperandrogenism. This condition is visualised through the
occurrence of the common signs like development of acne and hirsutism. There are also
chances of androgenic alopecia. A tendency of obesity is one of the manifestations associated
with insulin resistance (Valenzuela & Stone, 2014).
PMS or Premenstrual syndrome on the other hand is a condition that refers to the
physical and emotional symptoms. This condition mainly occurs prior to the onset of
menstruation, approximately before one to two weeks. The clinical manifestations of PMS
includes commonly the emotional symptoms. There are certain non-specific symptoms that
includes stress, anxiety along with difficulty in sleeping. There are also conditions like
headache, feeling tired, mood swings in addition to increased emotional sensitivity, and
changes in interest in sex. Various physical symptoms are seen during this period that
involves bloating, lower back pain, abdominal cramps, constipation/diarrhoea, swelling or
tenderness in the breasts, cyclic acne, and joint or muscle pain, and food cravings (Ryu &
Kim, 2015).
Question 4
There are many therapies and principles which should be used to manage the
symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in women. Several qualitative studies along with

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randomized trials showed that cognitive behavioral therapy can be implemented as the first
line therapy in order to manage premenstrual syndrome. One study reported that about 85%
of the women responded to behavioral therapy in addition to significant reduction of the
symptoms that was observed. A study carried out in a cumulative manner showed that
cognitive therapy involving education of the patients regarding the signs of the syndrome in
association with effective verbal communication plays a significant role in reducing the
manifestations of premenstrual syndrome. Through the acquirement of knowledge about the
premenstrual syndrome and behavioral changes related to the syndrome help individual.
Another study suggested that second line therapy including information focused therapy
might lead to a substantial reduction of the symptoms. Additionally the psychological
approaches like relaxation technique is seen to be helpful in relieving symptoms’ of
premenstrual syndrome (Safari et al., 2015).
A large number lifestyle changes has specific benefits to manage the symptoms of the
premenstrual syndrome. The initial step that is required to be followed is including a healthy
diet in the lifestyle along with exercising and managing stress. Taking of vitamins and
mineral supplements might also help. The high level of stress has a severe impact on PMS
and worsens the conditions. Therefore to reduce stress rest along with relaxation is required
during the week before the period begins (VanMeter, VanMeter & Hubert, 2016).

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References
Bryant, B & Knights, K (2014). Pharmacology for health professionals, 4th edn, Mosby
Elsevier, Sydney, Australia. Retrieved from:
https://www.elsevier.com/books/pharmacology-for-health-professionals/bryant/978-0-
7295-4170-1
Ryu, A., & Kim, T. H. (2015). Premenstrual syndrome: a mini review. Maturitas, 82(4), 436-
440. Retrieved from : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.08.010
Safari, T., Manzari Tavakoli, A. R., Kheyr Khah, B., Saeedi, H., & Mahdavinia, J. (2015).
The relationship between premenstrual syndrome with anxiety, depression and
changes in social relations of women in Kerman University of Medical
Sciences. Report of Health Care, 1(4),139-141. Retrieved from
:http://jrhc.miau.ac.ir/article_2703_458472a50ea72debe934dabf7f5961c7.pdf
Valenzuela, E., & Stone, K. (2014). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Retrieved from:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/240a/c5f5427fa02de4ded5ea22ef91d44e806830.pdf
VanMeter, KC, VanMeter, WG & Hubert, RJ 2nd edn (2016). Microbiology for the
healthcare professional, Mosby, Elsevier. Missouri, USA Retrieved from :
https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323320924?role=student

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