PMS

Common signs

These descriptions can help you understand and record what you notice. They cannot establish a diagnosis on their own.

• Mood swings and irritability +

  Emotions swing noticeably in the week or so before your period — a short fuse, irritability, or feeling tearful — and settle once bleeding starts. Note whether this repeats every cycle and strains work or relationships; if low mood starts interfering with daily life, it is worth talking to a doctor.

• Breast tenderness +

  Breasts feel swollen and sore before a period, sometimes uncomfortable even against clothing, then ease once it begins. Notice whether the tenderness is symmetrical and follows your cycle; a fixed lump, one-sided pain, or pain that persists beyond the premenstrual window should be checked by a doctor.

• Bloating +

  Your belly feels tight and your waistband snug in the premenstrual days, sometimes with mild puffiness or a small bump on the scale, then it resolves once your period starts. Track whether it follows the cycle; bloating that persists between periods or comes with marked pain warrants a medical look.

• Fatigue and poor sleep +

  Dragging through the day and struggling to fall or stay asleep in the premenstrual week. Note whether the slump clusters before your period; fatigue or insomnia that runs all month, not just premenstrually, is worth investigating further.

• Appetite changes +

  Sudden cravings for sweets or strong flavors before your period — or the opposite, a blunted appetite. Notice whether the shift syncs with mood swings; occasional premenstrual cravings are common, but repeated loss-of-control eating deserves professional support.