Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome

PMS often includes both physical and emotional symptoms. Common symptoms are:

• breast swelling and tenderness

• fatigue and trouble sleeping

• upset stomach, bloating, constipation or diarrhea

• headache

• appetite changes or food cravings

• joint or muscle pain

• tension, irritability, mood swings, or crying spells

• anxiety or depression

• trouble concentrating or remembering.

Symptoms vary from one woman to another. If you think you have PMS, try keeping track of your symptoms for several menstrual cycles. You can use a calendar to note which symptoms you are having on which days of your cycle, and how bad the symptoms are. If you seek medical care for your PMS, having this kind of record is helpful.