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What Are Your PMS Symptoms?

Most menstruating women can admit to experiencing some pre-period symptoms, what differentiates "normal" pre-period discomfort from being diagnosed with PMS? Is there a difference in the symptoms? Is there a difference in the intensity of the symptoms, or in how many symptoms you have? All women go through monthly hormonal fluctuations and at this time of the month experience symptoms ranging in intensity from mild to severe. They also may experience a difference in duration of each symptom from one month to the next. It appears that if women are stressing out over anything that the symptoms worsen.

Those women who are diagnosed with PMS are not just experiencing physical symptoms that are uncomfortable they are experiencing mood swings, anxiety, and depression. They are irritable, and have a decreased ability to concentrate. There may be emotional symptoms involved such as aggression, and withdrawing from society, or they may go on a crying spell for no particular reason.

The physical symptoms vary from one person to another but may include breast tenderness, bloating of ankles and swollen abdomen, weight gain, abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches, even migraines, and also joint and muscle pain. Some women experience changes in sleep patterns such as not being able to fall asleep or they may wake up frequently and have difficulty falling back to sleep. They may become extremely fatigued or have a decrease in their normal sexual desire. Eating habits may change including overeating, or experiencing food cravings. They may feel a sense of quilt because of the symptoms they are experiencing and how they are affecting the other family members.

Some women experience anxiety, confusion, alcohol intolerances, acne, hives, swelling in the hands, feet or legs, asthma symptoms increase, or they experience more urinary problems, sore throat, or dizziness. Some women even grow faint or experience heart poundings (palpitations).

There are several menstrual disorders that relate to a woman's menstruation. A woman who has PMS experiences a range of physical and emotional symptoms that actually affect their ability to perform daily activities or how they relate to others. There is even a severe form of PMS called, "premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or it is called luteal phase dysphoric disorder by some. PMS typically appears for the first time when the woman is in her mid-20s. As many as 75% of menstruating women experience either mild or moderate PMS. PMDD affects 3% to 5% of U.S. women. Typically PMDD is diagnosed when women are in their mid-30s.

So one thing that sets apart women who experience typical period discomfort from PMS symptoms is that women who have PMS, they cannot function in their daily lives when they are experiencing symptoms related to their periods. They are unable to function due to the intensity of the symptoms or they may not be able to function because of how many symptoms they are experiencing all at once. It is also possible that one symptom may be enough to s"hut them down" such as having a crying spell in which they can do nothing else besides cry, or someone who is severely depressed and can't get out of bed.