Symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome)

Each woman's symptoms are different and can vary from month to month, but most women have PMS at some point.

The most common symptoms of PMS include:

• mood swings
• feeling depressed or irritable
• feeling upset, anxious or emotioal
• tiredness or trouble sleeping
• bloating or cramping
• breast tenderness
• headaches
• spotty skin
• greasy hair
• changes in appetite or food cravings

Things you can try to help PMS

There are things you can try to help ease your PMS symptoms:

Do:

• exercise regularly
• eat a healthy, balanced diet - you may find that eating frequent smaller meals every 2-3 hours better 
• get plenty of sleep
• try reducing your stress by doing yoga or meditation
• take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to ease the pain
• keep a diary of your symptoms for at least 2 menstrual cycles - you can take this to a GP appointment

Don't:

• do not smoke
• do not drink too much alcohol

See a GP if:

You have symptoms of PMS and:

• lifestyle changes have not helped
• your symptoms are affecting your daily life

A GP can advise you on treatments that can help.

Treatments for PMS

If you have PMS a GP may recommend other treatments as well as making lifestyle changes.

These may include:

• hormonal medicine – such as the combined contraceptive pill
• cognitive behavioural therapy 
• antidepressants

If you still get symptoms after trying these treatments, you may be referred to a specialist.

This could be a gynaecologist, psychiatrist or counsellor.

Complimentary therapies and dietary supplements

Complimentary therapies and dietary supplements may help with PMS, but theres not much evidence that they work.

These can include:

• acupuncture
• reflexology
• supplements such as vitamin B6, calcium, vitamin D and magnesium 

Important

Check with a GP or pharmacist if you're also taking medicines before starting to take regular supplements.