Giving PMS a Medical Diagnosis – Sexual Anatomy & Gender Issues
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There are benefits to giving PMS a medical diagnosis. A medical diagnosis allows PMS to be looked at from the proper perspective to allow for proper research to be put into the disorder. If we thought that PMS was all in the head rather than having a medical diagnosis, we wouldn’t be as inclined to study ways to relieve its symptoms from a medical standpoint.
There aren’t any biological drawbacks in the act of giving PMS a medical diagnosis itself, but there could be some caused by PMS treatments. Medication could have negative side effects. Giving PMS a medical diagnosis will only end up improving any biological drawbacks, for the most part.
A Female Afflicted With Premenstrual Syndrome
Giving PMS a medical diagnosis promotes research on PMS and PMS treatment. This allows the affects to be minimized as we advance out knowledge. It also ends much of the debate on the subject once It is widely accepted, allowing energy to be focused elsewhere. On the downside, some of the treatments could have negative or unintended consequences. Another negative aspect is that this opens a new avenue for greedy corporations to develop treatments for the purpose of making money off of the pain of desperate people.
I believe that there is a biological component to PMS. There are about 200 symptoms of PMS listed in various sources (Crooks & Baur, 2010). Being a male I have not experienced PMS myself, but I have heard many women complain of its symptoms. I think sometimes some women might use having PMS as an excuse, when it isn’t actually as bad as they make it out to be, but I don’t doubt they do have painful and obtrusive symptoms.
I don’t think that it should be a valid legal defense in most cases, although really that would have to be looked at on a case by case basis with all the facts at hand. Women should be able to control themselves if they are in pain. Being in pain, no matter what the cause, is not an excuse to break the law.
I think that there are differences in opinion on the topic of PMS depending on gender. Females would be more likely to acknowledge the medical aspect of PMS, considering they have to experience its affects personally. Men may be more likely to think it is “all in the head” because all they experience is the complaining from women they know, and do not have to go through any of the symptoms.
References:
Crooks, R. L., & Baur, K. (2010). Our Sexuality (11th). Belmont: Wadsworth.
I agree with you in saying there is a difference in opinion on PMS depending on the sex. I’ve over heard my brother and male friends saying their girl friends were crazy when that time of the month rolled around. And many of my female friends being overly emotional and that “no one cared.”
Nice analysis. I agree with everything that you wrote down. I liked the connection between the treatment being put into the hands of “greedy corporations”. You bring up a good point this could end up being like the fat burning pills and products that everyone has a different remedy.
I agree that PMS is a good area for greedy corporations to take advantage of people. I believe this is especially because PMS is a vague concept, and could be one of a combination of over 200 symptoms. It would be easy for many companies to come up with “cures” and take advantage of their customers’ ignorance.
I agree almost spot on with what you said. I did not know about the mention of 200 different types though. It definitely make me wish there was more research done to narrow it down and find an effective way to diagnose each one.
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