Women with PMS have physical and emotional symptoms that happen 1 to 2 weeks before a menstrual period. They may be:

  • Physical symptoms:
    • Fatigue
    • Cramps
    • Nausea
    • Bloating
    • Swelling of hands or feet
    • Headache
    • Breast swelling and tenderness
    • Muscle or back pain
    • Weight gain
  • Emotional symptoms:
    • Irritability and mood swings
    • Problems with focus
    • Sleep problems
    • Changes in sex drive
    • Feelings of hopelessness or loss of control
    • Tension
    • Confusion
    • Restlessness
    • Loss of interest in people and activities
    • Appetite changes, such as overeating or food cravings

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is when a woman has very severe symptoms that cause problems with function.

REFERENCES:

Premenstrual syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/premenstrual-syndrome. Updated August 22, 2019. Accessed January 16, 2020.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome-pms.html. Updated July 25, 2018. Accessed January 16, 2020.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) fact sheet. Office on Women's Health website. Available at: http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/premenstrual-syndrome.html. Updated March 16, 2018. Accessed January 16, 2020.

Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG  Last Updated: 2/26/2020