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Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Overview

A group of symptoms that occur in women, typically between ovulation and a period.

The cause isn't fully understood but likely involves changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle.

Symptoms include mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression.

Lifestyle changes and medication may reduce symptoms.

Symptoms 

While PMS often involves mild or moderate symptoms that don’t majorly affect daily life, symptoms can be severe enough to impact your everyday activities and overall well-being.

If you have PMS, you’ll experience symptoms consistently before each menstrual period. You might experience only some of the symptoms below, or several, but PMS typically involves at least a few different symptoms.

Emotional and behavioral symptoms

PMS-related changes in your mood, emotions, and behavior might include:

  • anxiety, restlessness, or feeling on edge
  • unusual anger and irritability
  • changes in appetite, including increased food cravings, especially for sweets
  • changes in sleep patterns, including fatigue and trouble sleeping
  • a sad or low mood, which might involve tearfulness or sudden, uncontrollable crying
  • rapid shifts in mood and emotional outbursts
  • decreased sex drive
  • difficulty concentrating or remembering information

Physical symptoms

With PMS, you’ll likely also notice some physical symptoms, such as:

  • abdominal bloating
  • cramping
  • sore and swollen breasts
  • acne
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • headaches
  • back and muscle pain
  • unusual sensitivity to light or sound
  • unusual clumsiness

When do PMS symptoms begin?

On average, the menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days. If you have an average-length cycle:

  • Ovulation, or the egg’s release from the ovaries, will occur around day 14, or the midpoint of the cycle.
  • PMS symptoms can begin any time after ovulation (though they typically begin in the week before your period) and last until 5 or so days after menstruation begins.
  • Menstruation, or bleeding, will begin on day 28 of the cycle.

Treatment

Treatment is focused on improving the quality of life for the woman. PMS can be managed by lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Treatment approaches for PMDD include:

  • Medication: Antidepressants are often used, and are effective in fighting the symptoms. Birth control pills are also prescribed as they stop ovulation, thereby reducing symptoms of PMDD. It is important to note that these medications are only approved for treatment of PMDD and not for PMS.
  • Behavioral techniques: Techniques such as stress and anger management are also used along with medication.
  • Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, good diet, quality sleep and stress reduction are also helpful in managing the symptoms.

What causes PMS?

Scientific research hasn’t led to a conclusive cause of PMS, or an explanation for why some people experience it more severely than others. That said, researchers have suggested a few different theories.

Cyclical changes in hormones

Many experts believe PMS happens in response to changing levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

These hormones naturally fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle. During the luteal phase, which follows ovulation, hormones reach a peak and then decline rapidly, which may lead to anxiety, irritability, and other changes in mood.

What is PMS?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a monthly pattern of symptoms that start about a week before your period. These symptoms tend to go away within four days after starting your period.

For many people, PMS causes both physical and psychological symptoms, including:

  • bloating
  • digestive issues
  • headaches
  • breast tenderness
  • mood swings
  • irritability
  • anxiety
  • insomnia
  • confusion
  • depressed mood

The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person. Some people also experience a more severe form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). People with PMDD experience at least five of these symptoms. The symptoms are often incredibly intense and get in the way of day-to-day activities.

Experts aren’t sure about the exact causes of PMS or PMDD. Although, they’re likely related to changes in your levels of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that play a big role in your menstrual cycle. There may also be other factors involved.

Oral contraceptives and antidepressants are traditional treatments for PMS and PMDD. There are also several supplements you may want to try for relief, often with fewer side effects that traditional treatments.

We explain what these natural supplements for PMS can do and how to use them safely.

How can I stop premenstrual syndrome?

Modify your diet

  • Eat smaller, more-frequent meals to reduce bloating and the sensation of fullness.
  • Limit salt and salty foods to reduce bloating and fluid retention.
  • Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Choose foods rich in calcium. ...
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Is premenstrual syndrome before period?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of symptoms that many women get about a week or two before their period. Most women, over 90%, say they get some premenstrual symptoms, such as bloating, headaches, and moodiness.

How long can PMS last?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is when a girl has mood and body changes before or during her period. It's usually at its worst during the 4 days before a period. PMS usually goes away 2 to 3 days after the period begins.

Why do periods get worse with age?

In Your 40s

Normal hormone changes cause ovulation to be more irregular, and estrogen level fluctuation means you could start experiencing missed periods, a heavier flow, or spotting between periods.

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