70% of women will experience some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the most common symptoms include increased irritability, bloating, mood swings, and food cravings however there are up to 150 symptoms identified.
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.
You don’t just have to put up with PMS. It can be effectively managed and treated with a combination of lifestyle adjustments, supplements and sometimes prescribed medication.
PMS symptoms typically arise in the last 14 days of the menstrual cycle, the luteal phase, and improve and then resolve a few days after the start of a period.
Types & Severity of PMS
Some women experience mild PMs symptoms which have little impact on quality of life, however 2-9% of women will experience the severe form of PMS, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) which severely effects ability to work, attend school or maintain relationships.
Diagnosis
PMS symptoms can occur at any point during a women's reproductive life, some women develop symptoms after puberty with the start of periods, sometimes symptoms are triggered by events such as following pregnancy or the onset of the perimenopause. Stopping oral contraceptives for some women can trigger symptoms.
Diagnosis is made using symptom tracking and an assessment of the types of symptoms, their severity and the occurrence of symptoms throughout the menstrual cycle.
Treatment of PMS
There are a variety of treatment options including supplements, lifestyle adjustments and hormonal and non-hormonal options.