Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of physical and emotional disturbances that occur after a woman ovulates and ends with menstruation. Common PMS symptoms include depression, irritability, crying, oversensitivity, and mood swings. For some women PMS symptoms can be controlled with medications and lifestyle changes such as exercise, nutrition, and a family and friend support system.

Premenstrual Syndrome is a hormonal disease. When the estrogen and progesterone hormone differ their proper ratio in the human body, women have the physical and psychological symptoms. The physical symptoms included headaches, tiredness, irritation, fatigue, insomnia, breast tenderness and menstrual cramps. Women lose their memory, mood swings, tendency of crying and food carving is the most comprehensive psychological changes are found.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a term that refers to the range of physical and emotional symptoms that some women experience in the lead-up to menstruation. About 40 per cent of menstruating women are affected, but only about 10 per cent are severely affected by these symptoms. Women aged between 30 and 40 years appear to be at most risk.

The cause is unknown, but it is thought that PMS symptoms are triggered by abnormal responses to female hormones such as progesterone, and the interactions of the hormones with neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). Life stressors and a genetic vulnerability may also play a role.

Different women will experience different PMS symptoms. For some women, PMS may cause major discomfort and even disrupt normal activities. Not every woman experiences PMS. Some are totally unaffected and feel perfectly fine during the days leading up to menstruation. Other women may have a more severe form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women with this form of PMS may suffer severe depression, anger, or low-self-esteem along with other symptoms.

But a small proportion of women with premenstrual syndrome have disabling symptoms every month. This form of PMS has its own psychiatric designation - premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome with symptoms including severe depression, feelings of hopelessness, anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, irritability and tension. A number of women with severe PMS may have an underlying psychiatric disorder.

Most women experience some unpleasant or uncomfortable symptoms during their menstrual cycle. For some women, the symptoms are significant, but of short duration and not disabling. Other women, however, may have one or more of a broad range of symptoms that temporarily disturb normal functioning. These symptoms may last from a few hours to many days. The types and intensity of symptoms vary in individuals.

Treatment with a hormone called progesterone may help to balance out the fluctuating levels of this hormone during the weeks leading up to your period. However, there isn't enough research evidence to know whether this is an effective treatment for most women. The treatment does have potential side-effects, including sleepiness and changes to length of your menstrual cycle.

Medications: Taking oral contraceptives may help stabilize the changes in hormone levels and stop ovulation. Bloating and water retention can be improved by cutting down on salt and by using a mild diuretic that will make you urinate. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen* or ibuprofen can help relieve headaches, joint pain, and menstrual cramping. The antidepressant medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are widely used to manage psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression.