Premenstrual Syndrome - Symptoms

Emotional and behavioural symptoms

• stress or anxiety
• sadness or depression
• weeping
• mood swings; irritation and anger
• quarrelsome behaviour
• change in appetite and craving for certain foods
• difficulty in falling asleep
• aversion to socialise
• difficulty in concentration
• insomnia or difficulty sleeping

Physical symptoms

• mood changes and irritability
• tenderness of breasts
• acne
• headache
• body ache and joint pains
• tiredness
• water retention
• abdominal bloating
• constipation, diarrhoea or indigestion

Sometimes, the emotional disturbance and physical pain are so severe that they disturb the daily functioning of women at home or work. However, the severity of symptoms decreases with the start of menstrual bleeding. However, in some cases, it may continue with less intensity during bleeding days and get completely better after bleeding days. However, the recurrence of these disturbing symptoms every month can be annoying.

Complications

• PMS, due to a lot of disturbing emotional and behavioural changes, may affect a woman’s relationship with people around her.
• Women who consume alcohol and smoke may indulge more during PMS. These intoxicants aggravate PMS symptoms and may also increase menstrual pain.
• If a woman has any other medical conditions, they tend to deteriorate further during PMS:

• Migraine: more than 50% women report an increase in the intensity and frequency of migraine during PMS, as compared to migraine episodes occurring during any other times of the month. It is experienced either before or at the start of menstrual periods.
• Asthma: asthma attacks often increase or worsen during PMS.
• Other disorders: many other chronic conditions, such as epilepsy, may worsen during PMS.