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
- Bloating
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Cravings for salt
- Cravings for sweets
- Cravings for alcohol
- Increased appetite
- Decreased appetite
- Increased sensitivity to alcohol
- Increased sensitivity to taste/ spices/ flavour
- Increased thirst
Physical Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Water retention and swelling
- Increased sweating
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Increased sleep hours/ desire for sleep
- Clumsiness
- Easy bruising
- Increased heart rate
- Irregular heart beat
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Increased sensitivity to sound
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Increased sensitivity to chemicals
- Seizures
Ear, Nose, Throat and Head
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Cold sore outbreaks
- Puffy eyes
- Blurred vision
- Hordeolum (eye stye)
- Dry mouth
- Rhinitis (runny nose)
- Worsening of allergy symptoms
- Increased sensitivity to odours
Respiratory System
- Shortness of breath
- Worsening of asthma
- Sore throat
- Sensation of lump in throat
- Hoarse voice
Muscles, Bones and Joints
- Back pain
- Leg pain
- Joint pain or worsening arthritis
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle stiffness
Lady Garden Symptoms
- More frequent urination
- More frequent yeast infections
- More frequent urinary tract infections
- More frequent HSV outbreaks
- Dry vaginal tract
- Painful intercourse
Breast Symptoms
- Breast tenderness
- Breast swelling
- Increase in breast size
Skin Symptoms
- Acne
- Dry skin
- Oily skin
- Oily scalp
- Increased sweating
- Swelling of face or extremities
- Worsening of rosacea
- Worsening of eczema
- Worsening of psoriasis
Mood and Emotional Symptoms
- Increased libido
- Decreased libido
- Poor decision making
- Eating disorders
- Anger
- Aggression
- Irritation
- Forgetfulness
- Indecisiveness
- Poor concentration
- Brain fog
- Inability to think clearly
- Poor learning, less able to retain information
- Lack of motivation
- Increased sensitivity
- Avoidance of social interaction
- Avoidance of responsibilities
- Withdrawn
- Confusion
- Excitability
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Guilt
- Apathy
- Poor self esteem
- Reduced confidence
- Jealousy
- Paranoia
- Fearfulness
- Tension
- Poor coping
- Inability to relax
- Feeling keyed up or on edge
- Sadness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Frequent outbursts
- Sudden outbursts
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling out of control
- Difficulty controlling anger or sadness
- Crying
- Melancholy
- Defensiveness
- Stubbornness
- Negative outlook
- More easily offended
- More easily hurt or upset
- Lack of coordination
- Intentional self harm
- Increased addictive behaviours (shopping, drugs, alcohol)
- Increased productivity
- Decreased productivity
- Hypersomnia
- Insomnia
- Lack of pleasure in life
- Worsening of pre-existing mental health concerns
- 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:
- Restricted to the luteal phase (second half) of the menstrual cycle
- Resolve by the four day of the next cycle (fourth day of the period)
- Cause impairment or distress for the woman
- Occur in at least two cycles
- 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!
Wow, this is such a LONG list! We have always been taught the basic symptoms of PMS but nothing beyond that. I’m loving your post on women’s health and hormones!
Thanks Barb! It really is staggering how much our hormones can impact our lives!
Cramps ,Increased stomach acid, blacking out, feeling full.
Increased wrinkles around the eyes.
I get really really bad acid reflux .
That’s a miserable one! Thanks for adding to the list Jaime!
I find I get alot of mouth ulcers.
I ALWAYS bruise easily before my period.. but I guess that isnt that common so I dont see many people talk about it. This was helpful to me, to see that it was normal.
I have period gingivitis…before my period I get tooth ache, bleeding from gums…
Also I get chills 48hrs before my period
I get period gingivitis… That is tooth ache and bleeding gums before my period…
Also I get body chills 48hrs before my periods begin
Chills! Yes. I’ve certainly seen that happen. And menstrual gingivitis – that’s one many women don’t realize is associated with their cycles. Thanks for bringing attention to that one. ~Dr. Lisa
I get terrible acid reflux, I cry a lot and I also have terrible and painful hot flushes.
I have had night sweats premenstrually, so I feel your pain there!
[…] Worse around ovulation and in the second half of the menstrual cycle (when progesterone levels are high), this impact is most pronounced in women who already have some degree of gingivitis. Partially due to the increased blood flow to the gums from progesterone, and partly due to hormonal changes on bacteria in the mouth, premenstrual gingivitis is a real deal (along with the other 150 symptoms of PMS.) […]
[…] the internet and found no shortage of articles linking PMS and hives and yet when I checked one of several PMS symptom lists hives wasn’t […]
i have panic attacks and a decreased appetite. i normally have my periods on the 20ths of each month and i’ve been noticing some hormonal changes. i don’t know whether to take paracetamol even though i don’t feel any pain. i just feel lightheaded.
I’d recommend talking to someone about your hormone balance. Perhaps there are some things that could be improved with a focus on smoothing your hormone levels during this time.
In health, Dr. Lisa
Oh I have 27 out 150…tsk tsk tsk
My psoriasis really flares up before my period (the worst of them all) for the last 5 years.
I have a sore throat and achy body before my period
Dr Lisa,
Im a 30 year old female with no chronic illness. My previous period started with really unusual pms symptoms including irritability and intense anxiety and panic. It also left me in a low mood. Now I’m two days away from my period Ilan I’m still feeling the same or even worse. I noticed one unusual physical symptom which is the lack of breast soreness which I Always have. Could it be my hormones? How much do hormonal fluctuations can affect me
I sometimes pass out because of the bloodloss and low iron that comes around my period.
I have weird feeling in legs, breast tenderness, bloating, and pain in abdomen. Lovely.
I get many of those symptoms on the list,i also get reflux and some chest pains..Thank you so much for the comfort you brought in posting this..my anxiety was spiked before i read this article but afterwards i feel more relaxed as it explains a lot of what i feel..especially the shortness of breath before my period and some chest pains plus i am a smoker so its all enhanced and then 2 days later i start with my period so it all makes sense now..Thank you so so much.
I’m glad you were able to feel more calm after reading this! We need to share our experiences more as women, so we can realize we aren’t alone!
x
Dr. Lisa
You aren’t alone! Many women have sensations in their legs before and during their periods. Thank you for sharing!
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Dr. Lisa
Oh I have been there! Especially during my teens. Now I’m much more focused on keeping my iron levels up, and my hormones more balanced. Thank you for sharing, this brought back memories.
x
Dr. Lisa
If ANY symptom happens only around your period you can pretty much guarantee your hormones are involved. Symptoms of hormone changes can occur during your period, before your period, after your period, and at ovulation. We need to start talking more about just HOW MUCH influence hormones have on women’s health and well being.
I hope you find some understanding Sam.
x
Dr. Lisa
Thanks for sharing Tanya! I’m sure many other women have experienced symptoms like this too!
x
Dr. Lisa
Many autoimmune diseases flare premenstrually! As a woman with psoriasis I have noticed this myself!
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to feel like we’re in this together!
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Dr. Lisa
Body dysmorphia, and for me, that has a huge impact
I experience this almost every time I got my period :
easily annoyed, small desire to harm people, stomach cramps, gastric, yelling (bcs of anger/tiredness etc and I’m not the type to raise my voice), waist cramps and literally my whole body feels cramps and hurts, fatigue. Hope this helps!
I usually experience chills 🥶🥶🥶 even though surrounding temperature is higher than 25°C
I do feel my ears are reacting to sound. I feel the ear want to bust😁
😐I have more than half of these. Nature reeeally gave us a short deal. I mean seriously, what the heck.
Occasionally, I have hysterical fits of laughing. Some really basic thing will strike be as funny and I laugh till I cry and can’t breathe. It only happens when I’m in PMS mode. Not the worst of symptoms to have as it releases a lot of happy energy amidst the storm surge of other things happening 😂
I get my symptoms like a week before or 10 days before is that normal? The pms, is worse than the actual period!
Is there anything you recommend for anxiety specially? ?? Something natural ?? I have a lot of these symptoms but anxiety is the worse
Hey Dr! Is spotting 5 to 6 days before period is normal? And plz don’t compare it with something other coz I am virgin. I am 20. Plz reply
A couple of my PMT symptoms don’t appear. Most months when I am premenstrual I find it difficult to cope with conversational timing. Call it conversational clumsiness, perhaps. Especially worse in group conversations. I mistime my contributions and end up interrupting people, or I feel what I say is going unheard and other people are talking over me. Secondly, I sometimes feel out of sorts as if I don’t belong in my own skin, as if my personality is misfitting my physical body. This is very hard to describe, but it comes along with forgetfulness and physical clumsiness too, both of which you mention.
Spotting is a common symptom, but I wouldn’t call it ‘normal’. Most often spotting is a result of an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone levels. I talk about it greater detail in this article:
Best,
Dr. Lisa
Thanks for sharing those Julie! I’m sure you aren’t alone in those symptoms. It is a time of great upheaval for many women.
x
Dr. Lisa
I love the awareness that it takes to notice you experience that premenstrually! Not all PMS symptoms are bad. I’m more honest during my premenstrual week than any other time (not always kind, but definitely more honest!)
x
Dr. Lisa
Yes. Many women have more PMS symptoms 7-10 days before their period when they are experiencing the early decline in hormone levels. Many of the dietary recommendations can really help for women with “early” PMS.
x
Dr. Lisa
That’s a big one for a lot of women. We can feel more easily triggered during PMS and it’s important to remind ourselves this time will pass.
x
Dr. Lisa
Great list! I’ll add- Increased ear wax just prior to bleeding, and slight nasal congestion.
I have severe PMDD and have an overwhelming amount of these symptoms plus toothaches and TMJ only in my luteal phase
There are lots of excellent treatments for anxiety, but the most important thing is to work with someone who can help you to understand whether the anxiety will respond best to nervous system support (theanine, GABA) or hormonal supports (B6, chaste tree, etc). It’s not as simple as just one treatment for all women.
x
Dr. Lisa
Feeling sick and headaches two weeks before period is that normal?
It’s more likely that those are moliminal symptoms – associated with ovulation rather than PMS. I’m going to write an article about this soon! Keep an eye out for it.
x
Dr Lisa
[…] you know there are over 150 symptoms that help to define PMS? As all women experience PMS differently, you could have any combination of […]