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Article: Premenstrual Syndrome; Key Q&A.
- Article from:
- NWHRC Health Center - Premenstrual Syndrome
- Article date:
- March 16, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 National Women's Health Resource Center. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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* What exactly is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
There are more than 150 documented symptoms of PMS. Some of the most common PMS symptoms include sudden mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, weight gain, migraine headaches, joint and muscle aches, backaches, changes in sex drive, food cravings and fluid retention. Premenstrual changes that are distributed more randomly across the cycle are not considered PMS because these symptoms do not occur exclusively in the last 14 days of your menstrual cycle (seven to 10 days, approximately, before your period begins), and don't fit the working definition of premenstrual syndrome. True PMS symptoms tend to increase ...