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150 Symptoms of PMS

With 3 out of 4 women experiencing some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, most of us can come up with a pretty good list of symptoms for ourselves. But did you know that 150 symptoms have been identified?
150 Symptoms of PMS

With 3 out of 4 women experiencing some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, most of us can come up with a pretty good list of symptoms for ourselves. But did you know that 150 symptoms have been identified? That’s a pretty substantial number!

Ranging from mild bloating to severe mood changes and migraines, and everything in between, PMS can seriously impact a woman’s mood, quality of life, and relationships.

And remember, you don’t just have to accept PMS. You can manage it and treat it effectively. But that’s in another article. This one is The 150 Symptoms of PMS.

Digestive Symptoms

  1. Bloating
  2. Weight gain
  3. Constipation
  4. Diarrhea
  5. Nausea
  6. Vomiting
  7. Gas
  8. Cravings for salt
  9. Cravings for sweets
  10. Cravings for alcohol
  11. Increased appetite
  12. Decreased appetite
  13. Increased sensitivity to alcohol
  14. Increased sensitivity to taste/ spices/ flavour
  15. Increased thirst

Physical Symptoms

  1. Fatigue
  2. Water retention and swelling
  3. Increased sweating
  4. Night sweats
  5. Hot flashes
  6. Fatigue
  7. Increased sleep hours/ desire for sleep
  8. Clumsiness
  9. Easy bruising
  10. Increased heart rate
  11. Irregular heart beat
  12. Increased sensitivity to light
  13. Increased sensitivity to sound
  14. Increased sensitivity to touch
  15. Increased sensitivity to chemicals
  16. Seizures

Ear, Nose, Throat and Head

  1. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  2. Dizziness
  3. Lightheadedness
  4. Headaches
  5. Migraines
  6. Cold sore outbreaks
  7. Puffy eyes
  8. Blurred vision
  9. Hordeolum (eye stye)
  10. Dry mouth
  11. Rhinitis (runny nose)
  12. Worsening of allergy symptoms
  13. Increased sensitivity to odours

Respiratory System

  1. Shortness of breath
  2. Worsening of asthma
  3. Sore throat
  4. Sensation of lump in throat
  5. Hoarse voice

Muscles, Bones and Joints

  1. Back pain
  2. Leg pain
  3. Joint pain or worsening arthritis
  4. Muscle weakness
  5. Muscle stiffness

Lady Garden Symptoms

  1. More frequent urination
  2. More frequent yeast infections
  3. More frequent urinary tract infections
  4. More frequent HSV outbreaks
  5. Dry vaginal tract
  6. Painful intercourse

Breast Symptoms

  1. Breast tenderness
  2. Breast swelling
  3. Increase in breast size

Skin Symptoms

  1. Acne
  2. Dry skin
  3. Oily skin
  4. Oily scalp
  5. Increased sweating
  6. Swelling of face or extremities
  7. Worsening of rosacea
  8. Worsening of eczema
  9. Worsening of psoriasis

Mood and Emotional Symptoms

  1. Increased libido
  2. Decreased libido
  3. Poor decision making
  4. Eating disorders
  5. Anger
  6. Aggression
  7. Irritation
  8. Forgetfulness
  9. Indecisiveness
  10. Poor concentration
  11. Brain fog
  12. Inability to think clearly
  13. Poor learning, less able to retain information
  14. Lack of motivation
  15. Increased sensitivity
  16. Avoidance of social interaction
  17. Avoidance of responsibilities
  18. Withdrawn
  19. Confusion
  20. Excitability
  21. Mood swings
  22. Restlessness
  23. Hopelessness
  24. Anxiety
  25. Depression
  26. Loneliness
  27. Guilt
  28. Apathy
  29. Poor self esteem
  30. Reduced confidence
  31. Jealousy
  32. Paranoia
  33. Fearfulness
  34. Tension
  35. Poor coping
  36. Inability to relax
  37. Feeling keyed up or on edge
  38. Sadness
  39. Suicidal thoughts
  40. Frequent outbursts
  41. Sudden outbursts
  42. Feeling overwhelmed
  43. Feeling out of control
  44. Difficulty controlling anger or sadness
  45. Crying
  46. Melancholy
  47. Defensiveness
  48. Stubbornness
  49. Negative outlook
  50. More easily offended
  51. More easily hurt or upset
  52. Lack of coordination
  53. Intentional self harm
  54. Increased addictive behaviours (shopping, drugs, alcohol)
  55. Increased productivity
  56. Decreased productivity
  57. Hypersomnia
  58. Insomnia
  59. Lack of pleasure in life
  60. Worsening of pre-existing mental health concerns
  61. Possible increase in criminal behaviour

Well, try as I might, I could only find 133 symptoms of PMS.  To be considered a PMS symptom, it must have the following characteristics:

  1. Restricted to the luteal phase (second half) of the menstrual cycle
  2. Resolve by the four day of the next cycle (fourth day of the period)
  3. Cause impairment or distress for the woman
  4. Occur in at least two cycles
  5. Not be an exacerbation of another condition

Can you think of any PMS symptoms I may have missed? Were you surprised by any of the symptoms on here? Let me know in the comments below!

 

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Comments (56)

i have outer ear pain (but not an ear infection) before my period.

I kept passing out from blood loss and my obgyn put me on birth control to stop my periods

I am through all this thankfully at 66 yrs old but I definitely had. It’s a wonder I did not kill someone then cry hysterically. It was horrible. Then period would start and was ok. Women’s health is important thank you Dr. Lisa

Heart burn

This is not only a list of pms symptoms but also overlaps into pre menstrual dysphoric disorder. Which is basically pms on heat. After much research, having friends that suffer too I just want to make people aware that ovulation can also trigger pms/pmdd and it does not have to happen just in the latest phase but can also happen any time hormones change. This is also true during peri menopause. Pms symptoms can happen at any time of the month when hormones fluctuate. The advice about the luteal phase could infact make women less likely to seek help as they fo not fit the basic criteria for pms. I hope you do not mind my comment but it us something I’m very passionate about as a sufferer with a diagnosis. X

Thanks for bringing up the topic of PMDD. It’s one I’m passionate about. PMDD absolutely has overlap of symptoms with PMS. I talk more about PMDD diagnosis in another article: https://drlisawatson.com/pms-or-pmdd

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