Symptoms vary from person to person, and from month to month. Most are a normal response to changing hormone levels, and many ease once your period starts. Tracking them shows you what’s typical for you.
Before your period (PMS)
Common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome include:
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings and irritability
- Spotty skin
- Low sex drive
- Headaches
These usually ease once your period starts. Getting plenty of sleep and taking painkillers can help. If PMS seriously affects your life, a GP can discuss treatments.
The NHS also lists anxiety, tiredness or sleep problems, cramping, and changes in your appetite, skin or hair. Symptoms can vary from month to month.
What can help with PMS
- Regular exercise and a balanced diet. Smaller meals every few hours may also help.
- Getting enough sleep.
- Yoga or meditation, to help reduce stress.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, following the pack.
- Avoiding smoking and too much alcohol.
Keep a symptom diary
The NHS suggests tracking your symptoms for at least 2 menstrual cycles and taking your diary to your GP appointment. The period tracker can do this for you.
When symptoms are severe
A small number of people have a more severe form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The symptoms are similar but much more intense, and can strongly affect daily life. They may include intense anxiety, anger or depression. If you feel suicidal, call your local emergency number or go to an emergency department straight away. Don’t drive yourself.
See a GP if lifestyle changes haven’t helped or your symptoms are affecting your daily life. Options include hormonal medicine, cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants.
During your period
- Bleeding. A period usually lasts about 5 days, and can be anywhere from 2 to 7. It’s usually heaviest in the first 2 days.
- Cramps. Pain in your tummy, sometimes spreading to your back. Read what helps with period cramps.
- Colour changes. Blood often goes from brown or dark to red, then back again. Read about why period blood can be brown.
Symptoms or something else?
Some symptoms overlap with other things:
- Sore breasts, bloating and tiredness are common before a period and in early pregnancy. If your period is late and pregnancy is possible, take a test. The late period checker can help you decide when.
- Spotting can be an early sign of a period, but it has other causes too. Read about spotting before a period.
- Changes in discharge are usually normal, but a new smell, colour or itch is worth checking. Read about discharge before a period.
Symptoms worth seeing a doctor about
- Protection that needs changing every 1 to 2 hours, or needing two products at once
- Bleeding for more than 7 days, or clots larger than about 2.5cm
- Pain that stops your daily activities, or pain during sex
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Feeling tired or short of breath a lot of the time
- Periods that have become irregular or stopped
Spot your own pattern
The period tracker shows which symptoms you log, and which part of your cycle they usually fall in. It’s private, and you can print a summary for a doctor.