Most women have at least one sign of PMS each month. But it’s not the same for everyone. It can change as you get older. It can be hard to know if you just have a few symptoms before your period, or if it’s really PMS.
One way to think about it is to ask the question: “Do these changes get in the way of my regular life? Do they cause trouble at work or with family and friends?” If you answer yes, it might be PMS. Another way to know is if you have symptoms on the 5 days before your period, for 3 months in a row.
Women with PMS deal with it in lots of ways. You can make changes to improve your diet, sleep, and exercise. You can also learn ways to relax their mind and body. If what you try doesn’t seem to work, you could talk to your doctor.
What It’s Like
PMS shows up in many different ways. Everything in this list could be a sign of PMS. But most women get just a few of these, not all of them.
Physical signs
- Bloated tummy
- Cramps
- Tender breasts
- Hunger
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Swollen hands and feet
- Pimples
- Weight gain
- Constipation or diarrhea
Emotional signs
- Tense or anxious
- Depressed
- Crying
- Mood swings
- Can’t sleep
- Don’t want to be with people
- Feel overwhelmed or out of control
- Angry outbursts
Behavioral signs
- Forget things
- Loss of mental focus
- Tired
Girls and women who still get their period can get PMS. But it’s most common in women who:
- Are in their late 20s to early 40s.
- Have had a child.
- Have family members with depression.
- Had baby blues (postpartum depression), depression or bipolar disorder.
