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Most menstruating women have premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that indicate a disorder.
PMS can be confused with depression. See your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
As many as 150 physical and emotional symptoms are linked to PMS. The most common ones are:
For some women, symptoms are slight and may last only a few days before menstruation. For others, they can be severe and last the entire 2 weeks before every period. Also, other problems women have, such as depression, may be worse with PMS. This is known as “menstrual magnification.”
The exact cause or causes for PMS are not known. A female’s response to normal monthly changes in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone appear to be involved. So do changes in the level of seratonin, a brain chemical. There is no single test for PMS. Symptoms typically occur during the 5 days before the menstrual period and go away within 4 days after the period begins. Symptoms are not present between days 4 and 12 of the menstrual cycle. Symptoms occur for at least 3 menstrual cycles. PMS usually stops with menopause.
Office on Women’s Health
womenshealth.gov
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Yes
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Do symptoms of PMS, such as anxiety, depression or anger cause you to want to harm yourself or someone else?