The combination of physical, emotional, mental or psychological tension or symptoms that you experience prior to or after your period starts is what is referred to as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). This is the time your mood swings, irritability and anxiety are in top gear. Indeed, that regular visitor has come again! And he could be received with mixed feelings; talk of that little girl who is eager to show off to her friends that she is now a full grown woman or a busy teenager who can’t believe she is not going out tonight.

Premenstrual Syndrome is worse at the onset of your menses (say one week or so before your period starts), although it should get better as your period begins. It can take a few days or weeks to completely go away. Hormonal changes and fluctuations are almost entirely responsible for most of these syndromes and these physical, emotional and mental symptoms are perfectly normal for any normal woman. They include tiredness, nervousness, confusion, lack of concentration, sleeplessness, breast tenderness, cramps, headaches, bloating, skin problems and so on. The good thing is once you have gotten to know your menstrual cycle, it becomes easier to control and manage your periods.

These symptoms affect different women in different ways, and could vary from mild to wild. Some women just sail through it all with ease while others have complications, discomforts and irregularities. Be sure to call your doctor if symptoms threaten to get out of hand. You will know that these symptoms need special attention if normal flow breaks into unsettling heavy flow or you develop severe depression or swelling of feet and/or hands. Remember any of these symptoms must be severe enough to the extent of interrupting your normal activities for your physician to qualify them as PMS.