Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
What is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to the physical and emotional symptoms some people experience one or 2 weeks before their
period
. PMS symptoms usually ease when your period starts.
Many people have one or 2 premenstrual symptoms. Most of the time these can be easily managed.
If you have severe emotional and mood-related symptoms before your period, it may be premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD affects about 3% to 8% of people. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
Symptoms of PMS
Everyone experiences PMS differently. And symptoms can change each menstrual cycle.
Common physical symptoms include:
cramping in the pelvic area
breast tenderness or swelling
abdominal
bloating
fluid retention
acne
.
You may also experience:
aches and pains
headaches
constipation
,
diarrhoea
, or both
poor sleep
and tiredness.
Symptoms can also be emotional, for example:
irritability
anxiety
lower ability to cope
mood changes
sadness
trouble with concentration and memory.
PMS symptoms can be worse in teenage years and in the lead-up to menopause, which may be due to changes in hormone levels.
What causes PMS?
It’s not clear why some people have PMS, but it may be associated with how certain chemicals in the brain interact with the hormone progesterone.
Other factors can influence PMS. For example:
physical and emotional
mental health
stress
levels
lifestyle.
Managing PMS
There are many things you can do to manage PMS.
Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can help reduce PMS symptoms. You can stay healthy by:
doing about 30 minutes of moderate
physical activity
on most days
eating a balanced diet
including
fruit and vegetables
,
wholegrains
, lean
protein
, and dairy
drinking lots of
water
and reduce sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks
doing things you enjoy
trying relaxation techniques such as
yoga
and
meditation
getting enough
sleep
and rest.
Medicine and hormone treatments
Your doctor may recommend different medicines. For example:
hormonal treatments to stop
ovulation
antidepressants or anti-inflammatories to help with some symptoms.
Natural therapies
Natural therapies are part of a broad range of complementary and alternative medicines and therapies (CAM).
Many people use complementary therapies such as
acupuncture
,
naturopathy
and herbs to help manage PMS symptoms. But more research is needed to understand how effective these therapies are.
Supplements commonly used to manage PMS include:
calcium
vitamin B6
chaste tree (also called ‘chaste berry’)
magnesium
evening primrose oil.
Make sure you get advice from a qualified and experienced health practitioner before using complementary therapies. Always tell your
GP (doctor)
if you are taking any complementary medicines, as they can affect other medicines.
When to see your doctor
See your doctor if:
PMS symptoms are bothering you
symptoms continue despite lifestyle changes
you have severe emotional and mood related symptoms
medicine or hormonal treatments don’t improve your symptoms
symptoms stop you from doing things you normally do.
More information
For more detailed information, related resources, articles and podcasts, visit
Jean Hailes for Women’s
Health
External Link
.
Where to get help
GP (doctor)
A local women’s health clinic
Jean Hailes for Women’s
Health
External Link
Sexual Health Victoria
(SHV)
External Link
.