Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms related to a woman’s menstrual cycle. PMS refers to a set of physical, behavioral, or emotional symptoms that tend to:
1. Start during the second half of the menstrual cycle (14 days or more after the first day of your last menstrual period)
2. Go away 4 – 7 days after a menstrual period ends (during the first half of the menstrual cycle)
It is important to keep a daily diary or log to record the type of symptoms you have, how severe they are, and how long they last. You should keep this “symptom diary” for at least 3 months. It will help your doctor make an accurate PMS diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.
The most common physical symptoms include:
- Abdominal fullness, feeling gaseous
- Bloating of the abdomen
- Breast tenderness
- Clumsiness
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Food cravings
- Headache
- Less tolerance for noises and lights
Other symptoms include:
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness (See also: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
- Feelings of tension, anxiety, or edginess
- Forgetfulness
- Irritable, hostile, or aggressive behavior, with outbursts of anger toward self or others
- Loss of sex drive (may be increased in some women)
- Mood swings
- Poor judgment
- Poor self-image, feelings of guilt, or increased fears
- Sleep problems (sleeping too much or too little)
- Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
How Do I Know About PMS Symptoms? is a post from: HealthLob.com
