What are the symptoms of PMS?
PMS often includes both physical and emotional symptoms. Common symptoms are: • acne • breast swelling and tenderness • feeling tired • having trouble sleeping • upset stomach, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea • headache or backache • appetite changes or food cravings • joint or muscle pain • trouble concentrating or remembering • tension, irritability, mood swings, or crying spells • anxiety or depression Symptoms vary from one woman to another. If you think you have PMS, keep track of which symptoms you have and how severe they are for a few months. You can use a calendar to write down the symptoms you have each day or you can use a form to track your symptoms. If you go to the doctor for your PMS, take this form with you. Thumbnail of symptom tracker chart.
Most women have some combination of the physical and emotional effects. The above are the most common; more than 150 different symptoms have been attributed to PMS. Dr. Bruce Bekkar writes, “Because of the wide variety of symptoms of women with PMS, some attempts are now being made to standardize the diagnosis.
