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Living with premenstrual syndrome

Most women are aware of some of the changes in their body which come before a period. These symptoms may start hours or days before the period. They are natural and normal and there are women who notice nothing at all. The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is when these symptoms are more severe.

They can be divided into physical and emotional, and start up to 2 weeks before the period. Physical symptoms include breast tenderness and enlargement. Women may put on weight, retain fluid and get abdominal distension.

Headaches may occur and migraine may be worse in those people subject to attacks. There may be a feeling of pelvic congestion and intercourse may be uncomfortable. Constipation is common.

The emotional and personality changes may be very profound. Depression can be severe enough for suicidal feelings.

A woman may become short-tempered and strike out verbally and physically at her family. She may make wrong and irrational decisions at work and may have to take time off work. In extreme cases she may not trust herself to drive a car. She may have less desire for intercourse.

We are grateful to the National Association for Pre-Menstrual Syndrome for their help in compiling this

section.