Premenstrual syndrome plays a very real role in the lives of adolescent girls and women who suffer from its symptoms. Although this disorder has been misunderstood, undertreated, and disregarded as merely "all in her head," research confirms that PMS is a problem that can cause women to suffer poor relationships, lower academic grades, and physical and mental disturbances. Furthermore, doctors now understand that premenstrual disorders are legitimate medical conditions with real and serious implications for women's mental well-being. In this book you can learn about premenstrual disorders, how they have been unfairly stigmatized, and how they are finally being understood. With new medical understanding has come new treatments. Learn about antidepressants and other medications currently being used to treat serious symptoms of premenstrual disorders. In addition, you can learn about the benefits, risks, and side effects associated with these drugs as well as alternative treatments for premenstrual disorders. While you read, you will share in the experiences of many women from high school to perimenopausal age who have struggled with premenstrual disorders and their effects. In their stories, you will see that due to new understanding and treatments, women experiencing premenstrual disorders no longer need to feel stigmatized or alone.