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!
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