Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is characterized by a group of symptoms related to menstrual periods.
You may experience PMS symptoms anytime after the ovulation that occurs roughly two weeks before the onset of your periods.
However, it disappears as your periods start.
You can notice different changes in your body during the last 3-14 days of your menstrual cycle, which could cause some degree of pain.
There are about 150 PMS symptoms associated with this condition, which often affects physically and emotionally.
The number, type, and severity of PMS symptoms vary from woman to woman. Also, the symptom changes from month to month in the same woman.
Here are some of the most common PMS symptoms:
Fatigue: It is the most common nervous system PMS symptom. With this symptom, you feel tiredness that you can hardly spend the day. Sometimes, you may also experience trouble sleeping at night, called insomnia.
The other symptoms of this type are hypersomnia (sleeping for long time abnormally), anorexia (loss of appetite), lethargy, agitation, change in sex drive, and dizziness.
Tension and irritability: This is a mood-related PMS symptom. With this type of symptom, you may feel very nervous and small irritations appear huge. Often your reaction will be out of proportion to the condition.
Difficulty in concentrating: This is a mental-process PMS symptom. You often find difficulty in doing things when you are suffering with PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) where concentration is very essential, such as listening to a lecture or making business decisions. Even an increase in absentmindedness occurs.
Depression: This is a mood-related PMS symptom where sadness and crying are very common feelings. Sometimes the sadness may become deep and devastated.
Anger: It is another mood-related PMS symptom where your normal feelings of anger are often exaggerated. You may be more argumentative and lash out at those around you. The other symptom of this type is frequent and severe mood swings.
Food cravings: With this symptom you always crave for particular foods, such as sweets or salt. Others notice their appetite for almost any food increases.
Breast tenderness: This is a pain PMS symptom. There will be some swelling and soreness around your nipples or breasts when you have PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome).
Bloating in the abdomen, hands, and legs: It is a fluid and electrolyte symptom. You notice a temporary weight gain. Occasionally, the fluid transfers to the abdomen, hands, and legs thereby you may feel painfully swollen or puffy.
Headaches: It is a pain related PMS symptom. The length and severity of headaches may differ from woman to woman, but it is a common PMS symptom. Other pain symptoms are joint and muscle pain.
Nausea: It is a gastrointestinal symptom where you may often feel sickness. Diarrhea is another PMS symptom of this type.
Acne: It is a most common skin symptom. The other skin symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) are oily skin, greasy or dry hair.
You may also experience palpitations (rapid fluttering of the heart) and heavy sweating.
So, by knowing your PMS symptoms it is very helpful for your doctor to diagnose and get appropriate treatment [PMS treatment options].
