
Symptoms of PMS can be put into three categories, mood, behavioural and physical. These can occur together or separately and can vary depending on the person.
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Mood
| Behavioural | Physical |
Sadness
|
Fatigue
|
Bloating
|
Anger
|
Food cravings and/or overeating
|
Breast tenderness/pain
|
Anxiety | Aggression | Headache |
Irritability | Changes in sexual interest | Acne |
Mood swings | Trouble sleeping | Weight gain |
Forgetfulness | Tension | Muscle pain |
Difficulty concentrating | | Constipation or diarrhea |
PMS can be diagnosed by using a diary chart to log in your PMS symptoms you have and when they occur. If you get PMS symptoms for at least 2 menstrual cycles (once a month) and you a have at least a week where you have no symptoms, then it can be diagnosed as PMS. For a sample diary chart go to this link: https://www.womenshealth.gov/files/documents/pms-symptom-tracker.pdf
What Makes PMS Worse?
- Smoking can cause a major increase in your PMS symptoms. If you smoke, quitting can make a major difference27
- Stress and lack of exercise
- Being obese28
- Not getting enough vitamin D and calcium25, 26
- Traumatic life events