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Conditions

Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the catch-all term given to a range of physical, emotional and psychological symptoms that appear in the lead up to a women’s period. The symptoms usually last for a few days leading up to the period and a few afterwards. Though most women are able to cope with the symptoms, a minority can find the symptoms so severe that their daily lives are disrupted. Common symptoms include irritability, mood swings, tenderness around the breasts, cravings and bloating, but there are dozens of other symptoms that can occur. The causes of PMS are not fully understood, but hormonal and chemical changes are certainly one possibility, as is stress and diet. Amendments to these areas are frequently the first stage used by GPs when looking for treatment, alongside diuretics, anti-inflammatory pills and oral contraceptives.

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Comments and Questions

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

for a few days before my period I get a lot of wind and sometimes diarraeh, is this just hormonal and can I ease it?





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Ive started to take the pill for the first time i took it on my first day of my period and it gave me excruciating period pains, they were so bad i felt hot and cold and sick and had to go home from work. Although i have had quite bad period pains i can usually control the pain with ibuprofen. Why not this time ?





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by having constant bleeding would this make it difficult for me to fight off common colds? Is being tired all the time and having no energy another side effect to being on a period all the time??





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Hi, I seem to get PMS symptoms straight after my period. I'm fine during the period apart from a bit of pain but about the day after its stopped I get really down, suffer from headaches and sometimes I find it hard to even leave the house :( is this normal? I'm 23.





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Before and during my period my stomach becomes extremely bloated and I weigh 4-5 lbs heavier, is this normal? Is there anything I could do to avoid this each month?





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Hi I'm 25 years old and 7 to 14 days before my period I suffer with really bad breast tenderness and sometimes I even get swollen ankles. I have a coil inserted which has been in for about three years I have tried taking evening primrose and I have little response. What can I do to make this better.





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I'm 27 and have not had a period for over a year now I did try the pill injection which run out feb last year and I have never had a period since my gp keeps saying that it will just kick back in but it doesn't feel right can you help me?





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Hi I'm 37, and I Havant had a period for nearly a year! Had blood tests done for menopause, hormonal etc but all ok! I do exercise a lot and doctors thought it was this but I've been training like this since I was 19 and no problems! I've had two children with no problems but it's starting to worry me a little! As anyone ideas or experienced it! Would really appreciate any input or advise!





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I'm 28yrs and have two children my 2nd child is now 6months old and I have have only had 2 periods since after having him. My period after my 1st child was normal. I have read online that sometimes its when you brest feed to which I'm not doing. I am not one for going the doctors really. And also any tips on how to prevent heartburn I have kept it ever since I was pregnant with my 5yr old. I have have tried every thing I can think of its driving me mad thanks x





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my periods last longer than7 days, I think they last around 15 - 20 days. Is this normal





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the name given to the physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms that can occur in the two weeks before a woman's monthly period. It is also known as premenstrual tension (PMT). Read More »

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