Diagnosis of PMS

Premenstrual syndrome can be problematic to diagnose because other conditions can also underlie some or many of the symptoms that are common in PMS. To overcome this difficulty, health care providers often recommend that women track their symptoms and their menstrual periods. PMS occurs 1-2 weeks before the onset of menstruation. This time in the cycle is referred to as the luteal phase and it is the last part of the cycle. In order to be diagnosed as PMS, symptoms need to follow this cycle with consistency. Further, a diagnosis of PMS is only made when symptoms present during this period interfere with a woman’s life.

Although there doesn’t appear to be a clear cut cause for PMS, it is believed that PMS is related to hormones. Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are all implicated in the menstrual cycle and fluctuations in the levels of these hormones may contribute to PMS. Symptoms that are indicative of PMS include breast tenderness, abdominal swelling, diarrhea or constipation, aches and pains in the legs, joints or back. There may also be instances of moodiness, sleeplessness, food cravings and headaches.

During the luteal phrase of the menstrual cycle symptoms of other conditions can be worsened complicating a diagnosis of PMS. For example, women who are depressed may have more profound depression during this time. Another example of a condition that is negatively influenced by the influx of hormones after ovulation is chronic fatigue syndrome. This all underscores the importance of tracking symptoms throughout the cycle and to do so for at least three months. Symptoms of chronic conditions may be more intense before a period, but they will be present all month long while PMS symptoms end during menses. Conditions such as cramping and pain that lasts beyond the onset of bleeding may be a sign of other problems.

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