Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Health topics Periods Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Learn more about PMS, including the symptoms, causes, management options and when to see your doctor. Print / PDF What is PMS? Symptoms of PMS What causes PMS? Managing PMS When to see your doctor Reviewed For the most up to date information on this topic, please visit jeanhailes.org.au Key takeaways It’s normal to experience one or 2 PMS symptoms before your period. Symptoms vary but may include feeling grumpy, cramps, bloating and acne. There are many ways to manage PMS symptoms, including exercise, diet, stress management and medicines. If PMS impacts your daily life, talk to your doctor. Sections on this page What is PMS? Symptoms of PMS What causes PMS? Managing PMS When to see your doctor Print / PDF Key takeaways It’s normal to experience one or 2 PMS symptoms before your period. Symptoms vary but may include feeling grumpy, cramps, bloating and acne. There are many ways to manage PMS symptoms, including exercise, diet, stress management and medicines. If PMS impacts your daily life, talk to your doctor. What is PMS? PMS refers to the symptoms you might feel in the week or 2 before your period starts. Most women have one or 2 symptoms. Once your period starts, the symptoms usually go away. PMS is very common in teenage years and during perimenopause. PMS is different to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a condition that causes severe emotional and psychological distress. Symptoms of PMS PMS symptoms can be emotional, physical or both – everyone is different. Symptoms can also vary from one cycle to the next, but they generally follow a pattern over time. What causes PMS? It’s not yet known exactly why PMS happens. But it may be due to hormone changes in the body before a period. Some women may be more sensitive to these changes than others. Some research suggests PMS may be linked to overlapping factors, including: brain sensitivity to hormone changes during the menstrual cycle genetic factors stress inflammation. Managing PMS There are many ways to manage PMS symptoms, including a healthy lifestyle and certain medicines. When to see your doctor It’s important to see your doctor if your periods or PMS impacts your normal activities, like school or work, relationships and quality of life. Personal stories about periods Story PMS: Fact versus fiction 4 min Story My journey with PMDD 4 min Review process Our review process This information has been reviewed by clinical experts and is based on the latest evidence. Our content review process ensures our health information is accurate, trustworthy, current and useful. We regularly check our information to make sure it reflects the latest clinical guidelines and key findings from large, reliable studies. Where possible, we focus on Australian research to make our information more relevant locally. Experts play a key role in reviewing our content. Clinicians at Jean Hailes check information for accuracy and real‑world relevance. These include GPs, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and allied health professionals. We also work with partner organisations, independent specialists and people with lived experience to make sure our content reflects both expert knowledge and the experiences of the community. Health information in your language view all You might want to know more about Topic Period products Topic Irregular periods Topic Absent periods Topic Endometriosis

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Learn more about PMS, including the symptoms, causes, management options and when to see your doctor.

Print / PDF

Reviewed

Key takeaways

It’s normal to experience one or 2 PMS symptoms before your period.
Symptoms vary but may include feeling grumpy, cramps, bloating and acne.
There are many ways to manage PMS symptoms, including exercise, diet, stress management and medicines.
If PMS impacts your daily life, talk to your doctor.

Key takeaways

It’s normal to experience one or 2 PMS symptoms before your period.
Symptoms vary but may include feeling grumpy, cramps, bloating and acne.
There are many ways to manage PMS symptoms, including exercise, diet, stress management and medicines.
If PMS impacts your daily life, talk to your doctor.

What is PMS?

PMS refers to the symptoms you might feel in the week or 2 before your period starts.

Most women have one or 2 symptoms. Once your period starts, the symptoms usually go away.

PMS is very common in teenage years and during perimenopause.

PMS is different to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a condition that causes severe emotional and psychological distress.

Symptoms of PMS

PMS symptoms can be emotional, physical or both – everyone is different. Symptoms can also vary from one cycle to the next, but they generally follow a pattern over time.