Premenstrual syndrome includes a number of symptoms connected to the menstrual cycle and these can occur a week or two before your menses. These will disappear after your period starts. It can affect menstruating women in all ages and is different for each woman. For some, it is only a monthly botheration and for others these are very severe days. Menopause brings the end of PMS.

The causes of PMS are not clearly known and they are connected to the changing hormones during the menstrual cycle. Tension and emotional problems do not play a role in PMS, but they can make it worse.

The symptoms of PMS include:

• Breast swelling and tenderness
• Anxiety and depression
• Tiredness
• Sleeping problems
• Acne, pimples or spots flare-up
• Stomach upset
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Headache
• Back pain
• Loss of appetite or food cravings
• Muscle or joint pain
• Memory disturbances
• Trouble in concentration
• Tension
• Irritability
• Mood changes or crying spells

Note all your symptoms for some months and inform your doctor about them for possible treatment.

What are the discomforts experienced during menstrual periods?

They include:

• Heavy bleeding
• Bleeding during two periods
• Depression
• Headaches
• Mood changes or irritability
• Cramps
• Swelling in the breasts or sores
• Bloating

Drink lot of water, 3 to 5 litres per day. Eat always healthy food and it helps to reduce the problems.

For some women it is only a small botheration and for others these are the severe days in a month.

If necessary go to your gynaecologist.