In a recent article, a man pondered the legitimacy of PMS, igniting a firestorm of responses from women everywhere. In a piece for Slate titled, “Is PMS Real? Or is it just a construct of our menstruation-averse society?” writer Jake Thompson dives into the history of PMS and arrives at the conclusion that, if it is indeed a syndrome, it’s likely a cultural phenomenon rather than a biological one.
Thompson suggests that the absence of PMS diagnoses in certain cultures indicates that it’s merely a “social construction” stemming from societies that stigmatize menstruation, thus attributing all negative emotions to it. He references various studies, including one where women informed that they were premenstrual experienced more symptoms than those who were actually premenstrual but were told otherwise. I’m sure there’s a study out there titled, “I Was Too Busy Getting Kicked in the Shins to Think of a Better Title.”
Interestingly, Thompson claims that PMS symptoms don’t exist in cultures where menstruation is celebrated—like on the island of Wogeo in Papua New Guinea, where men even go to the lengths of undergoing rituals to share in the experience. Sure, but in a culture where illness is blamed on sorcery or neglecting one’s own anatomy, I’ll stick to consulting my OB/GYN for health matters.
But let’s not take offense, ladies. Thompson isn’t calling us irrational; he posits that just because something is socially constructed doesn’t mean it’s not experienced. He reassures us that our “real” physiological symptoms can indeed spring from both mind and body. How supportive—especially when he puts “real” in quotation marks.
He argues that our understanding of PMS is rooted in outdated notions of “hysteria,” a term once used to diagnose women who spoke their minds. “Hysteria,” derived from the ancient belief in a “wandering uterus,” was once thought to cause mood swings. The alleged cure? Intercourse—because, naturally, that’s the remedy for everything. However, Thompson acknowledges that such notions are long outdated. He quips that “hysteria” is now only diagnosed by “unwise partners.”
Moreover, Thompson believes that the symptoms attributed to PMS are largely a matter of suggestion. When PMS was first named in 1954 by Dr. Marianne Ellis, the list of symptoms exploded, ranging from lack of coordination to an increased affinity for nature and a decline in productivity. “Afflicted” women’s rates are humorously cited between 5% and 95%.
Let’s get real: According to the Office of Women at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, PMS is a genuine condition, affecting up to 85% of women. Don’t trust the government? Check out the Mayo Clinic for corroborating information. And if you’re still skeptical, just ask Thompson’s wife, who reportedly responded to his doubts with “an icy silence.”
So, ladies, if you ever need a buddy during tough PMS days, I’ve got some Midol, a stack of Project Runway episodes, and a few bookmarked Men’s Rights sites for a good laugh.
For more insights on navigating your fertility journey, make sure to check out this post and visit Make A Mom for expert guidance. Also, if you’re considering medical options, Healthline is a fantastic resource for pregnancy and home insemination knowledge.
Summary
A man’s skepticism about PMS sparks a humorous yet insightful exploration of its legitimacy, ultimately highlighting that it is a real condition experienced by a significant percentage of women.