Pms what does

It's estimated that as many as 3 of every 4 menstruating women have experienced some form of premenstrual syndrome. Symptoms tend to recur in a predictable pattern.

But the physical and emotional changes you experience with premenstrual syndrome may vary from just slightly noticeable all the way to intense. Still, you don't have to let these problems control your life. Treatments and lifestyle adjustments can help you reduce or manage the signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

The list of potential signs and symptoms for premenstrual syndrome is long, but most women only experience a few of these problems. For some, the physical pain and emotional stress are severe enough to affect their daily lives. Regardless of symptom severity, the signs and symptoms generally disappear within four days after the start of the menstrual period for most women.

But a small number of women with premenstrual syndrome have disabling symptoms every month. PMDD signs and symptoms include depression, mood swings, anger, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, difficulty concentrating, irritability and tension. If you haven't been able to manage your premenstrual syndrome with lifestyle changes and the symptoms of PMS are affecting your health and daily activities, see your doctor.

Exactly what causes premenstrual syndrome is unknown, but several factors may contribute to the condition:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Premenstrual syndrome PMS has a wide variety of signs and symptoms, including mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression.

PMS symptoms start five to 11 days before menstruation and typically go away once menstruation begins. The cause of PMS is unknown. Levels of estrogen and progesterone increase during certain times of the month. An increase in these hormones can cause mood swings , anxiety , and irritability.

Ovarian steroids also modulate activity in parts of your brain associated with premenstrual symptoms. Serotonin levels affect mood. Serotonin is a chemical in your brain and gut that affects your moods, emotions, and thoughts. Ovulation, the period when an egg is released from the ovaries, occurs on day 14 of the cycle. Menstruation, or bleeding, occurs on day 28 of the cycle. PMS symptoms can begin around day 14 and last until seven days after the start of menstruation.

The symptoms of PMS are usually mild or moderate. Nearly 80 percent of women report one or more symptom that does not substantially affect daily functioning, according to the journal American Family Physician. Twenty to 32 percent of women report moderate to severe symptoms that affect some aspect of life.

Three to 8 percent report PMDD. The severity of symptoms can vary by individual and by month. The diagnosis is made when you have more than one recurrent symptom in the correct time frame that is severe enough to cause impairment and is absent between menses and ovulation. Your doctor must also rule out other causes, such as:.

Your doctor may ask about any history of depression or mood disorders in your family to determine whether your symptoms are the result of PMS or another condition. Your doctor may do a thyroid hormone test to ensure that your thyroid gland is working properly, a pregnancy test, and possibly a pelvic exam to check for any gynecological problems.

Keeping a diary of your symptoms is another way to determine if you have PMS. Use a calendar to keep track of your symptoms and menstruation every month. If your symptoms start around the same time each month, PMS is a likely cause. If you have a mild or moderate form of premenstrual syndrome, the treatment options include:. You can take pain medication, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, to alleviate muscle aches, headaches, and stomach cramping.

What causes PMS? How is PMS diagnosed? Can PMS be prevented or avoided? What are diuretics? Do antidepressants help?

What about birth control pills? What about medicines I can buy without a prescription? What about vitamins and other home remedies? Tips on controlling PMS Eat complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and whole-grain breads, pasta, and cereals , fiber, and protein. Cut back on sugar and fat. Avoid salt for the last few days before your period to reduce bloating and fluid retention.

Cut back on caffeine to feel less tense and irritable and to ease breast soreness. Cut out alcohol. Drinking it before your period can make you feel more depressed. Try eating up to 6 small meals a day instead of 3 larger ones.

Get aerobic exercise. Work out up to 30 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week. Get plenty of sleep—about 8 hours a night. Keep to a regular schedule of meals, bedtime, and exercise. Try to schedule stressful events for the week after your period. Questions to ask your doctor Could my symptoms be caused by something other than PMS? What over-the-counter medicine might help relieve my symptoms? Would birth control pills help? What lifestyle changes should I make to help relieve my symptoms?

Last Updated: September 28, This article was contributed by: familydoctor. Tags: bloat , fluid , menses , period , PMS , premenstrual , puffiness , retention , syndrome.