Find out what PMS is, how it is diagnosed, and how it can be treated. Learn about common symptoms, dietary and lifestyle tips, and medications from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has a wide variety of signs and symptoms, including mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression. Premenstrual syndrome is a menstrual disorder that involves physical and emotional symptoms occurring one to two weeks before menstruation during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Most women experience PMS, with symptoms typically ending when menstruation starts. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause various symptoms before periods. In some women the symptoms can badly affect their quality of life. Various treatment options are available. Symptoms of PMS are common, but vary considerably in how severe they are. For most women, premenstrual symptoms may be distressing but do not disrupt normal functioning and quality of life. PMS can affect women of any age between puberty and the menopause. The term PMS is used when symptoms become bad enough to ...
