Premenstrual Syndrome

Summary

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a group of symptoms that start one to two weeks before your period. Most women have at least some symptoms of PMS, and the symptoms go away after their periods start. For some women, the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with their lives. They have a type of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD.

Common PMS symptoms include:

• Breast swelling and tenderness
• Acne
• Bloating and weight gain
• Pain – headache or joint pain
• Food cravings
• Irritability, mood swings, crying spells, depression

No one knows what causes PMS, but hormonal changes trigger the symptoms. No single PMS treatment works for everyone. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen may help ease cramps, headaches, backaches and breast tenderness. Exercising, getting enough sleep, and avoiding salt, caffeine, and alcohol can also help.

Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health

Treatments and Therapies

• Black Cohosh National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Chasteberry National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Evening Primrose Oil National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Premenstrual Syndrome National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Find an Ob-Gyn American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Teenagers

• Menstrual Period: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Boston Children’s Hospital
• PMS, Cramps, and Irregular Periods Nemours Foundation
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

Related Issues

• Mittelschmerz Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) American Academy of Family Physicians
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Different from PMS? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Water Retention: Relieve This Premenstrual Symptom Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Reference Desk

• Normal Female Reproductive Anatomy National Cancer Institute

Patient Handouts

• Premenstrual breast changes Medical Encyclopedia
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Premenstrual syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
• Premenstrual syndrome – self-care Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) FAQ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Journal Articles

• Premenstrual Syndrome