Premenstrual Syndrome
(PMS)

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is premenstrual syndrome?
• How common is PMS?
• When was PMS discovered?
• What causes PMS?
• What are the symptoms of PMS?
• How is the diagnosis of PMS made?
• What conditions are like PMS?
• How is PMS distinguished from other conditions?
• What treatments are available for PMS?
• What medications are used to treat PMS?
• Can exercise help relieve some of the symptoms of PMS?
• Is there a "cure" for PMS?
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) At A Glance

What is premenstrual syndrome?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of physical and emotional disturbances that occur after a woman ovulates and ends with menstruation. Common PMS symptoms include depression, irritability, crying, oversensitivity, and mood swings. For some women PMS symptoms can be controlled with medications and lifestyle changes such as exercise, nutrition, and a family and friend support system.

is a combination of emotional, physical, psychological, and mood disturbances that occur after a woman's ovulation and typically ending with the onset of her menstrual flow. The most common mood-related symptoms are irritability, depression, crying, oversensitivity, and mood swings with alternating sadness and anger. The most common physical symptoms are fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness (mastalgia), acne, and appetite changes with food cravings.

A more severe form of PMS, known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), also known as late luteal phase dysphoric disorder) occurs in a smaller number of women and leads to significant loss of function because of unusually severe symptoms.

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