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You want to know more about what PMS is and how to recognize the symptoms of the syndrome. You have come to the right place. Read on to discover the basic facts about Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Premenstrual syndrome is difficult for even doctors to identify, so do not feel bad if you have problems knowing if you or a friend really have PMS or not. The symptoms can mimic other diseases or conditions. In fact, that is how doctors make the diagnosis of PMS; based on symptoms and by ruling out other diseases and conditions that may cause those symptoms. When all other diseases or conditions have been ruled out and the symptoms are consistent with those known as PMS, the woman is given the diagnosis of Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS for short.

There are a wide variety of signs and symptoms for PMS that are physical, emotional or psychological in nature. The variety of symptoms can also be different intensities ranging from mild to severe. The symptoms can change from month to month and the intensity level can also change from month to month. Women between the ages of 20 and in their 40s who have at least one ovary intact can be subject to PMS symptoms.

The most common symptoms that have been associated with PMS are moodiness, crying spells, acne, anxiety, forgetfulness, depression, confusion, acts of aggression, physical or emotional abuse, irritability, food cravings or changes in eating habits such as overeating, fatigue, water retention and weight gain, headaches, backaches, and tender or sore breasts. Ask your doctor for a complete list of the symptoms when you have your talk about the possibility of PMS. Your doctor will ask you to keep a symptom journal for 2 months so that you can record the symptoms that you experience along with the intensity of the symptoms and how they affect your life. Your doctor will use this journal when making your diagnosis.

If you are diagnosed with PMS, you do not have to let the syndrome ruin your life because you can do many things to relieve your symptoms and take your life back. Some of the ways that you can help yourself feel better is to eat a healthier diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits and lots of fiber. Make sure that when you increase your fiber intake, that you also increase the amount of water you drink to a minimum of 8 full glasses of water each day. Stay away from salt, refined sugar, caffeine and junk foods. One of the symptoms that some women notice just before their period is due to start is that they can have an intolerance for alcohol; so, it is a good idea to avoid or at least limit your intake of alcohol one to two weeks before your period is due to arrive. Another thing you can do is to increase your physical activity level to include a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day, even if that exercise is just a walk around the block. Aerobic exercises is a fun way to keep moving and what ever exercise you choose to do the endorphins released that are a part of exercise can make you feel good which helps to dispel the PMS symptoms of moodiness, sadness or anxiety. You home remedies such as a heating pad, soak in a warm tub, relaxing to your favorite music or taking over-the-counter pain relievers and diuretics.

What Are Your PMS Symptoms?

Most menstruating women can admit to experiencing some pre-period symptoms, what differentiates “normal” pre-period discomfort from being diagnosed with PMS? Is there a difference in the symptoms? Is there a difference in the intensity of the symptoms, or in how many symptoms you have? All women go through monthly hormonal fluctuations and at this time of the month experience symptoms ranging in intensity from mild to severe. They also may experience a difference in duration of each symptom from one month to the next. It appears that if women are stressing out over anything that the symptoms worsen.

Those women who are diagnosed with PMS are not just experiencing physical symptoms that are uncomfortable they are experiencing mood swings, anxiety, and depression. They are irritable, and have a decreased ability to concentrate. There may be emotional symptoms involved such as aggression, and withdrawing from society, or they may go on a crying spell for no particular reason.

The physical symptoms vary from one person to another but may include breast tenderness, bloating of ankles and swollen abdomen, weight gain, abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches, even migraines, and also joint and muscle pain. Some women experience changes in sleep patterns such as not being able to fall asleep or they may wake up frequently and have difficulty falling back to sleep. They may become extremely fatigued or have a decrease in their normal sexual desire. Eating habits may change including overeating, or experiencing food cravings. They may feel a sense of quilt because of the symptoms they are experiencing and how they are affecting the other family members.

Some women experience anxiety, confusion, alcohol intolerances, acne, hives, swelling in the hands, feet or legs, asthma symptoms increase, or they experience more urinary problems, sore throat, or dizziness. Some women even grow faint or experience heart poundings (palpitations).

There are several menstrual disorders that relate to a woman’s menstruation. A woman who has PMS experiences a range of physical and emotional symptoms that actually affect their ability to perform daily activities or how they relate to others. There is even a severe form of PMS called, “premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or it is called luteal phase dysphoric disorder by some. PMS typically appears for the first time when the woman is in her mid-20s. As many as 75% of menstruating women experience either mild or moderate PMS. PMDD affects 3% to 5% of U.S. women. Typically PMDD is diagnosed when women are in their mid-30s.

So one thing that sets apart women who experience typical period discomfort from PMS symptoms is that women who have PMS, they cannot function in their daily lives when they are experiencing symptoms related to their periods. They are unable to function due to the intensity of the symptoms or they may not be able to function because of how many symptoms they are experiencing all at once. It is also possible that one symptom may be enough to “shut them down” such as having a crying spell in which they can do nothing else besides cry, or someone who is severely depressed and can’t get out of bed.