How long does pms last

Some herbal supplements women use to ease PMS symptoms include:. Researchers continue to search for new ways to treat PMS. Learn more about current PMS treatment studies at clinicaltrials.

For more information about PMS, call the OWH Helpline at or check out the following resources from other organizations:. Department of Health and Human Services. ET closed on federal holidays. Premenstrual syndrome PMS. Premenstrual syndrome PMS Premenstrual syndrome PMS is a combination of symptoms that many women get about a week or two before their period.

What is PMS? Who gets PMS? Does PMS change with age? PMS stops after menopause when you no longer get a period. What are the symptoms of PMS? Physical symptoms of PMS can include: 12 Swollen or tender breasts Constipation or diarrhea Bloating or a gassy feeling Cramping Headache or backache Clumsiness Lower tolerance for noise or light Emotional or mental symptoms of PMS include: 12 Irritability or hostile behavior Feeling tired Sleep problems sleeping too much or too little Appetite changes or food cravings Trouble with concentration or memory Tension or anxiety Depression, feelings of sadness, or crying spells Mood swings Less interest in sex Talk to your doctor or nurse if your symptoms bother you or affect your daily life.

What causes PMS? How is PMS diagnosed? You probably have PMS if you have symptoms that: 12 Happen in the five days before your period for at least three menstrual cycles in a row End within four days after your period starts Keep you from enjoying or doing some of your normal activities Keep track of which PMS symptoms you have and how severe they are for a few months. How does PMS affect other health problems? These are the most common conditions that overlap with PMS. Depression and anxiety symptoms are similar to PMS and may get worse before or during your period.

Some women report that their symptoms often get worse right before their period. IBS causes cramping, bloating, and gas. Your IBS symptoms may get worse right before your period.

Bladder pain syndrome. Women with bladder pain syndrome are more likely to have painful cramps during PMS. PMS may also worsen some health problems, such as asthma, allergies, and migraines.

What can I do at home to relieve PMS symptoms? These tips will help you be healthier in general, and may relieve some of your PMS symptoms. Get regular aerobic physical activity throughout the month. Learn more about healthy eating for women. Get enough sleep. Try to get about eight hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep is linked to depression and anxiety and can make PMS symptoms such as moodiness worse. Talk to your friends or write in a journal.

Some women also find yoga, 18 massage, 19 or meditation 20 helpful. What medicines can treat PMS symptoms? Over-the-counter and prescription medicines can help treat some PMS symptoms. These include: Ibuprofen Naproxen Aspirin Some women find that taking an over-the-counter pain reliever right before their period starts lessens the amount of pain and bleeding they have during their period.

You may need to try several different types of birth control before you find one that helps your symptoms. Anti-anxiety medicine may help reduce feelings of anxiousness.

All medicines have risks. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the benefits and risks. Should I take vitamins or minerals to treat PMS symptoms? Studies have found benefits for: Calcium. Studies show that calcium can help reduce some PMS symptoms, such as fatigue, cravings, and depression. Some foods, such as orange juice, cereal, and bread, have calcium added fortified.

You can also take a calcium supplement. Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 may help with PMS symptoms, including moodiness, irritability, forgetfulness, bloating, and anxiety. Vitamin B6 can be found in foods such as fish, poultry, potatoes, fruit except for citrus fruits , and fortified cereals. You can also take it as a dietary supplement. Studies have found mixed results for: Magnesium. If you get menstrual migraines , talk to your doctor about whether you need more magnesium. You can also take a supplement.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega Studies show that taking a supplement with 1 to 2 grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids may help reduce cramps and other PMS symptoms. What complementary or alternative medicines may help relieve PMS symptoms?

Some herbal supplements women use to ease PMS symptoms include: Black cohosh. Black cohosh is most often used to help treat menopausal symptoms, 29 and some women use it to help relieve PMS symptoms. You can use a calendar or an app, or write it down in a notebook.

Most girls settle into a regular period schedule and can manage any bothersome symptoms with home treatment. But talk to the doctor if you think there could be a problem with your periods.

Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Here's how to cope with most period problems. You can try these things if you have PMS symptoms: To help with food cravings: Eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

To ease bloating: Lower salt in your diet. To ease crankiness or anxiety: Avoid caffeine and get plenty of exercise. To help with backache, headache, or sore breasts : Try a warm heating pad or acetaminophen Tylenol or store brand , ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, or store brand , or naproxen Aleve or store brand.

To relax: Try yoga or meditation. To prevent and treat pimples: Work with a dermatologist skin doctor. A traditional herbal remedy used to relieve the symptoms of PMS More info.

PMS is a combination of any of around recognised symptoms experienced in the run up to a The good news is that almost anything you do to improve your diet, lifestyle or general health will If your period is late then the best thing to do would be to take a pregnancy test.

However, stress As the A. Vogel Women's Health advisor, I recommend Agnus castus to help relieve symptoms such as menstrual cramps, breast tenderness and irritability. Did you know period pain occurs when the muscles in your uterus contract and they can contract strongly enough to deliver a baby! I have read and agree to A. Receive healthy recipes from A. Vogel every month. How many days will my PMS symptoms last? PMS normally occurs after ovulation and usually lasts around one to two weeks, although some symptoms can persist Rate this page.

How long is PMS supposed to last? Hormonal Imbalance : Throughout your monthly cycle, your hormones are in a state of flux, shifting and changing to meet the requirements of your body. During the first two weeks of your cycle, your levels of oestrogen are likely to rise steadily until ovulation, after which they start to decrease. Progesterone usually increases sharply during ovulation but will start to decline and your levels of both hormones is likely to be very low just before the start of your period.

This sudden drop in oestrogen and progesterone can lower our levels of essential nutrients like magnesium , chromium and zinc , contributing to PMS symptoms like anxiety, mood swings and cravings. However, not all menstrual cycles are the same and sometimes the oestrogen-progesterone ratio can be thrown out of balance.

For example, if you have too much oestrogen in your system, it can cause your periods to become heavier, leading to an iron deficiency like anaemia and stimulating symptoms of fatigue and irritability after your period has finished.

When you lack nutrients such as magnesium though, it can instigate many of the common PMS symptoms, like irritability and stress. This is because magnesium works to regulate your blood pressure, relax your muscle contractions and promotes the functions of GABA, the neurotransmitter required to help you switch off at night so you can sleep.

If you are already deficient in magnesium, then your PMS symptoms are likely to be a lot more prolonged and exaggerated. Iron also plays another key role in inspiring your PMS symptoms to persist.

If you consume a diet that is low in iron and vitamin B12 , then it can increase your chances of becoming anaemic, especially during your period when you naturally lose blood.

Symptoms like fatigue, mood swings and anxiety are likely to become more prevalent throughout your cycle, often causing you to feel as though your PMS is not diminishing Stress : Stress is a psychological condition that can have an overwhelmingly negative impact on most areas of the body.

It can also have a powerful influence over your PMS symptoms. Your levels of magnesium and other essential nutrients will tend to plummet during this time as the body desperately tried to use up all the useful resources it can find.