As many as 90% of women have unpleasant symptoms before their periods. If symptoms are reliably severe enough to interfere with quality of life, it's defined as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Generally speaking, PMS is present when:
Bloating, swelling of arms or legs, and breast tenderness are the usual physical symptoms. Feeling overly emotional, experiencing depression, anger and irritability, or having anxiety and social withdrawal may be present. As many as 20% to 40% of women may have PMS at some point in life.
- Physical and emotional symptoms occur reliably a few days before multiple consecutive menses (periods).
- The symptoms go away after completing a period and don't occur at other times.
- The symptoms cause significant personal problems (such as at work, school, or in relationships).
- No medicines, drugs, alcohol, or other health condition might be to blame.