Final answer:
Women are typically free from PMS symptoms during the menstrual phase of their cycle when the uterine lining is shed. This phase is marked by low levels of certain hormones and the absence of the conditions that contribute to PMS. After menopause, women no longer experience menstrual cycles or PMS symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women are typically free from premenstrual syndrome symptoms (PMS Sx) during the menstrual phase of their cycle. This phase, also known as the menses phase, is when the lining of the uterus is shed. The menses phase occurs at the beginning of the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle, characterized by low levels of progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). During this time, the decline in progesterone due to the degradation of the corpus luteum marks the end of the luteal phase and triggers the shedding of the stratum functionalis of the endometrium.
Typically, the menstrual period averages about five days but can range from 2 to 7 days or more. Following menopause, women no longer experience PMS as they cease to have menstural cycles. The menopausal transition, known as peri-menopause, can bring about various symptoms due to hormonal shifts, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. However, postmenopause, which is confirmed after a full year without a menstrual period, dericts the complete cessation of menstrual cycles and PMS symptoms.