PMS

What is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
Up to 85% of women normally have one or more troubling physical and emotional symptoms between the time they ovulate and the first days of their menstrual period. These are called premenstrual symptoms. When premenstrual symptoms interfere with your relationships or responsibilities, they are called premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

What are typical premenstrual symptoms?
PMS consists of a wide variety of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms.
Symptoms vary greatly from woman to woman and can range from mild to severe.

Common physical symptoms include

• breast swelling and tenderness,
• bloating,
• water retention,
• weight gain,
• acne,
• food cravings,
• sleep changes,
• lack of energy,
• lessened sexual desire,
• and pain,
• such as headaches,
• migraines,
• aching joints or muscles,
• cramps,
• and low back pain.

Common emotional symptoms include depression,

• sadness, hopelessness, anger
• irritability,
• anxiety,
• mood swings

If you have severe emotional and/or behavioral symptoms (with or without physical symptoms) between ovulation and the first days of your period, you may have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). In contrast to PMS, PMDD affects only 3% to 8% of women.