Effects of Premenstrual Syndrome

PMS may bring breast tenderness, bloating, headaches, pelvic discomfort, tiredness, food cravings or changes in bowel habits. Mood effects can include irritability, sadness, anxiety, tearfulness and difficulty concentrating. Some people become more sensitive to conflict or need more time alone. Symptoms can affect work, study, exercise, relationships and sleep. Keeping a diary across several cycles can show whether symptoms follow a predictable pattern and distinguish them from problems present throughout the month. See [Breast Pain](/symptoms/breast-pain/) for related breast symptoms.

Record symptoms, bleeding and their effect on daily activities. Regular movement, consistent sleep, balanced meals and limiting alcohol or excess caffeine may help some people. A clinician can discuss pain relief, hormonal options or treatment for prominent mood symptoms after reviewing your health history. The [Combined Pill](/treatments/contraception-and-family-planning/combined-pill/) may be suitable for some people, but it is not appropriate for everyone and needs individual assessment.

Arrange an appointment if symptoms disrupt your routine, are becoming more intense, do not settle after your period, or appear at other points in the cycle. Seek urgent help for thoughts of self-harm, feeling unable to stay safe, or severe emotional distress. Very intense cyclical mood symptoms may be premenstrual dysphoric disorder or another condition that deserves specific assessment; do not try to manage severe symptoms alone.

Ask whether your symptom pattern fits PMS, what to record, which pain or mood treatments are suitable, whether contraception could affect symptoms, and how to separate PMS from thyroid, anaemia, depression or anxiety symptoms.