PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
Overview
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is the name for the symptoms women can experience in the weeks before their period. It can affect anyone who has periods. You can get help if it affects your daily life.
Symptoms
Each woman's symptoms are different and can vary from month to month, but most women have PMS (premenstrual syndrome) at some point. The most common symptoms of PMS include: mood swingsfeeling depressed or irritablefeeling upset, anxious or emotionaltiredness or trouble sleepingbloating or crampingbreast tendernessheadachesspotty skingreasy hairchanges in appetite or food cravings
Causes
It's not fully understood why women get PMS (premenstrual syndrome). But it may be because of changes in their hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Some women may be more affected by these changes than others.
Treatment
If you have PMS (premenstrual syndrome), a GP may recommend other treatments as well as making lifestyle changes. These may include: hormonal medicine, such as thecombined contraceptive pillcognitive behavioural therapyantidepressants If you still get symptoms after trying these treatments, you may be referred to a specialist. This could be a gynaecologist, psychiatrist or counsellor.