Notes on PMS

Abstract

From its first descriptions in the media, premenstrual syndrome or PMS was seen as a proof of woman’s “natural” mental and emotional instability. This impression was loosely based on social presumptions, ignoring actual historical experience. As outlined by Tamara Đord̵ević “after contemporary feminist analysis (Federici, Vishmidt…) PMS (in the form of stress, depression, anxiety, mood swings…), as well as other physiological and biological “givens” can no longer be considered out of the context of socio-economic expectations, accompanying pressures and work functions that women need to realize, fulfill and perform due to the roles granted to them in a production system based on economic exploitation.”