Why PMS Matters
Premenstrual symptoms in some form affect most women who menstruate, but estimates suggest that around 25–30% experience moderate to severe PMS that impacts daily life, and 5–8% may have a more intense form called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a diagnosis recognised worldwide for severe premenstrual symptoms.
These numbers mean that in the UK alone hundreds of thousands of women may be living with symptoms that are persistent, painful, emotional and disruptive. Yet many never seek help, sometimes because they don’t realise their symptoms aren’t “normal,” or because healthcare professionals don’t always ask about menstrual cycles or fully explore cyclical patterns. Research into care experiences shows that dismissive attitudes toward premenstrual symptoms are common, leaving women feeling unheard and without adequate support.
For something so widespread, it’s remarkable how often PMS is treated as a shrug‑worthy inconvenience, yet for many women it can feel like anything but. Instead, it can be unpredictable, exhausting and, in some cases, genuinely disruptive to work, relationships and wellbeing.
What PMS Really Is
Premenstrual Syndrome, or PMS, is the name given to a range of emotional, physical and behavioural symptoms that many people experience in the two weeks before their period begins. These symptoms usually ease shortly after menstruation starts.
Symptoms can vary from month to month and from person to person, but often include mood swings, irritability, anxiety, physical discomfort like bloating or headaches, changes in appetite, breast tenderness and difficulty sleeping.
In most cases these symptoms are linked to the hormonal changes, particularly shifts in oestrogen and progesterone, that occur naturally during the menstrual cycle. Some women’s bodies appear to be more sensitive to these changes, which is why two people with otherwise similar cycles can nonetheless have very different premenstrual experiences.
At the more severe end of the spectrum is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a condition marked by extreme emotional and physical symptoms that significantly interfere with daily functioning. While global estimates vary, research indicates that a small but meaningful percentage of women meet the criteria for PMDD.
How to Spot the Pattern
One of the challenges with PMS is recognising that symptoms are cyclical rather than random. They tend to:
Start in the luteal phase - about 7–14 days before a period.
Build over a few days.
Ease once menstruation begins.
Keeping a simple symptom diary over two to three cycles can often be the clearest way to identify the pattern. By marking which symptoms appear on which days relative to your cycle, you create a picture that your GP can use to confirm whether it’s PMS, PMDD or something else needing attention.
Why It Matters - Beyond ‘Just a Mood Swing’
PMS isn’t just about “feeling a bit sensitive” before your period. For people with moderate to severe symptoms, it can be disruptive, making it hard to concentrate at work, manage family life, plan social activities or even sleep. It can strain relationships when mood changes feel sudden or inexplicable, and it can worsen pre‑existing anxiety or low mood if left unrecognised.
Despite this, many women shrug off symptoms, or are encouraged to, because of long‑standing cultural myths that period‑related discomfort is simply something “all women deal with.” But feeling chronically low, exhausted or physically unwell every month isn’t inevitable, and it doesn’t have to be something you just endure.
How PMS Symptoms Can Be Managed
The good news is that there are practical steps and treatments that can help ease premenstrual symptoms, whether mild, moderate or severe.
Lifestyle Approaches:
Simple changes can make a real difference:
Regular exercise: even walking or cycling can release mood‑boosting endorphins and may ease both emotional and physical symptoms.
Balanced diet: eating small, frequent meals with a good mix of protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables can help steady blood sugar and mood. Reducing alcohol and caffeine can help.
Prioritising sleep and stress reduction: good sleep hygiene and mind‑body practices like yoga or mindfulness can soften symptom severity.
Symptom Tracking and Planning:
Keeping a cycle diary makes it easier to spot patterns and gives your health care professional meaningful information to support diagnosis and tailor interventions.
Clinical Options:
If symptoms are significantly affecting quality of life, talking to a Women’s Health specialist GP, such as Dr Lucy Mather, can open up other options. These may include:
Hormonal treatments that can stabilise hormonal fluctuations.
In some cases, SSRIs taken either daily or during the luteal phase can help mood‑related symptoms.
For PMDD, specialist support and tailored treatment plans are particularly important.
We can help you understand which approach is most suitable for your situation and work with you to track progress over time.
Changing the Conversation About PMS
Even though premenstrual symptoms are widespread, they’re often minimised, both in casual conversation and in healthcare settings. But recognising the pattern, understanding the causes, and seeking support doesn’t make you “dramatic”, it makes you informed.
Whether your symptoms are occasional or severe, knowing what’s going on with your body is the first step toward feeling more in control and less at the mercy of your cycle. And if what you’re experiencing is affecting your day‑to‑day life, it’s absolutely valid to bring it up with a clinician and ask for help.
