By the 1980s, however, viewing PMS in a social context had begun to take place. Alternative views
Some supporters of PMS as a social construct believe PMDD and PMS to be unrelated issues: according to them, PMDD is a product of brain chemistry, and PMS is a product of a hypochondriatic culture, i.e. a culture-bound syndrome. Most studies on PMS and PMDD rely solely on self-reporting. According to sociologist Carol Tavris, Western women are socially conditioned to expect PMS or to at least know of its existence, and they, therefore, report their symptoms accordingly. The anthropologist Emily Martin argues that PMS is a cultural phenomenon that continues to grow in a positive feedback loop, and thus is a social construction that contributes to learned helplessness or convenient excuse. Tavris says that PMS is blamed as an explanation for rage or sadness. The decision to call PMDD an illness has been criticized as inappropriate medicalization. In both cases, they are referring to the emotional aspects, not the normal physical symptoms that are present. See also
Menstrual leave

References
External links

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Direct Online Health Encyclopaedia: Premenstrual syndrome (UK) at NHS
"Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) (Premenstrual Tension)" at Merck Manual
Grocers itch is a cutaneous condition characterized by a pruritic dermatitis that occurs from coming into contact with mites such as Carpoglyphus passularum (a fruit mite) or Glycyphagus domesticus (a common house mite). Contact usually occurs when handling food with mites in it, such as figs, dates, prunes, grain, cheese, or other dried foods. : 454

See also
Grain itch
Gamasoidosis
List of mites associated with cutaneous reactions


== References ==