Symptoms and Signs of PMS

By paying attention to the symptoms and signs of PMS, you can better monitor when you will start suffering from this condition and learn how to manage it effectively.

A number of women experience different degrees of premenstrual syndrome during their monthly cycle, with some experiencing it so bad that they are actually confined to their bed, unable to get up for hours at a time.

Usually, it's not quite this bad, but it can definitely put a damper on the everyday activities that you enjoy. If you learn some of the best techniques that can be used to combat premenstrual syndrome, it won't have to affect your overall wellbeing.

Here are some of the main symptoms and signs of PMS that you should know about.

Physical Signs

Breast Tenderness

For many women, one of the more significant signs of PMS is breast tenderness. You typically will notice this about a week before your period begins, and you may find it uncomfortable to wear certain types of clothing.

Muscle Aches and Pains

Another common symptom of premenstrual syndrome is muscle aches and pains. Generally you won't find it to be in a localized area, but rather your entire body aches and doesn't feel well.

Some light exercise can normally help this, as can a hot bath to loosen up the muscles.

Headaches

Headaches are another of the signs of PMS, and they can keep you away from work if they are strong enough. Women who regularly experience migraines may also find this present, so it's important that you do try to plan less mentally draining tasks for when you know you will have PMS.

Bloating and Weight Gain

Probably the most hated of the symptoms of PMS is the bloating and weight gain you will experience. It's not unusual to find yourself gaining five pounds or more during your menstrual cycle, something that does prove to be quite frustrating.

The important thing to always keep in the back of your mind with this is that the bloating will just be temporary and, in a week or so, you will be back to your regular self. To help combat the bloating, try increasing your water intake, as well as lowering your salt intake.

Mood Swings and Irritability

If you find that you get a lot of comments from others that you're 'hard to be around' when you're on your period, this is another common sign of premenstrual syndrome. There isn't a great deal you can do to combat this, other than become aware of the situation and do your best to try and control what you say and how you act.

Changes In Libido

Finally, the last of the signs of PMS that you may notice is a change in libido levels. Some individuals find that their libido level increases, while others find that it decreases. Fortunately, since it is only going to be altered for about a week, it's not something that becomes too hard to manage.

Conclusion

So be on the lookout for these common symptoms and signs of PMS. The best natural treatments you can use are to rest up, be sure to get lots of fluids, perform some moderate intensity exercise, and to maintain a diet that contains plenty of lean protein, fruits, and vegetables.

Click here for natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Click here for more pages and articles on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

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