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Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS)

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PH03 - Symptoms Explained - Our most read Articles

Our most read Articles

A012 - FC04 - Is spotting normal?

Is spotting normal?

A137 Different types of vaginal discharge. What are they and what do they mean?

Period Hub - PH05 - Pregnancy

Pregnancy

A057 Ovarian Cysts: Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Ovarian Cysts: Causes, Treatment and Prevention

4 Extreme exercise 

A012 - Flash Cards - Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

MCBLA06 - How to Prevent Period Leaks?

How to Prevent Period Leaks?

Always Night sanitary pads were especially designed for overnight protection and offer more coverage, no matter how much you toss and turn, while Normal (Size 1) and  Long (Size 2) sanitary pads were designed for optimal daytime protection.

What is the difference between Day & Night sanitary pads?

Learning how to stop PMS mood swings is key to not letting your period get in the way of your life and we're here to help you with this!

A027 How to Stop PMS Mood Swings

How to Stop PMS Mood Swings

A045 - Caurosal - Why is my period late? 10 Reasons for a Late Period

Why is my period late? 10 Reasons for a Late Period

PRFPEA01 - Tampons vs. Pads 

Tampons vs. Pads

Menstrual cramps occur when the lining of the uterus, which has built up in preparation for pregnancy, needs to flake off and leave the body. For this to happen, the uterine muscles alternately contract and relax. These contractions can in turn cause crampy menstrual pains. Not everyone experiences these. Some feel only slight discomfort, while others experience pain in the lower abdomen or sharp pain radiating to the legs and back. Other symptoms that may accompany menstrual pain include: 
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- diarrhoea.
 
However, it is important to remember that although menstrual pain is common, acute pain caused by these cramps is not. You should consult your doctor if you have acute pain, if it impedes your daily functioning or if it intensifies over time. These symptoms may suggest that there are other factors behind what appears to be normal, expected menstrual pain.

A015 - T02 - Why period cramps happen and how do you know it's it?

Why period cramps happen and how do you know it's it?

A065 What is PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)?

Do your monthly breast self-exam after your period so there's less tenderness and swelling. After a few months of checking, you'll become the expert on your breasts. It's a good idea to go through the breast exam with your doctor to make sure you're doing it right. And remember, if you feel a lump or something abnormal, don't wait for it to go away. Talk to your mum and your doctor.

A085 - T02 - When should you do a breast self-exam?

When should you do a breast self-exam?

DDA03 - Is it Normal to Have a Lot of Discharge?

Lot of discharge

A055 Toxic Shock Syndrome Symptoms

Here are the symptoms you should look out for when wearing tampons, and remember to never leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours to help prevent TSS.

Toxic Shock Syndrome Symptoms

Lie on your back with one leg stretched out, and pull the other knee up towards your chin. Clasp your knee with your arms to ease the strain and then hold the posture, relaxing for a few minutes.

How do you stretch away [cramp pains](/en-gb/period-hub/symptoms-explained/why-are-you-tired-before-period/ "Cramp pains")?

A056 - T03 - Knee to Chest Stretch

Knee to Chest Stretch

There are six main energy-draining culprits that lead to PMS fatigue.

- Hormonal fluctuations – Oestrogen usually acts as a stimulant, but its levels drop significantly after you ovulate, depriving you of its energy. At the same time, your levels of feel-good serotonin also dip, leaving you without its mood-boosting effects as well. Meanwhile, the calming effects of progesterone begin to kick in, which makes you feel more mellow.

- Energy burning – When you ovulate, your body temperature rises and your body starts burning more energy in preparation for pregnancy. For the next few days, your basal metabolic rate can go up by 9 percent, draining your energy. This all adds up to making you feel more tired.

- Anaemia – If your periods are heavy, you lose a lot of blood, which could lead to an iron deficiency in your red blood cells. This makes it difficult for your tissues to get the oxygen they need, meaning your cells need to work harder to function normally.

- Giving in to other symptoms – You’re sore and you’re hungry. You’re not sleeping well and you feel bloated. It’s no wonder you’re not jumping for joy. All these factors may stop you from exercising, which would make you feel rejuvenated. It is hard to get motivated when faced with these factors.

- Cravings – Your fluctuating hormones may have convinced you to binge on chocolate or other sugary foods, triggering a sugar high that is followed by a crash. This cycle can repeat itself unless you recognise it and actively switch to healthier alternatives.

- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – If you are experiencing severe emotional lows, this acute form of PMS may be to blame. In addition to physical symptoms, you may find yourself crying, lashing out at others, feeling out of control or losing interest in things that used to bring you joy. If this happens monthly, you should see a doctor.

A149-T02-Can PMS cause fatigue?

Can PMS cause fatigue?

Different types of Discharge

In the run-up to your period, your hormones fluctuate in ways that make you moodier and less able to cope with these changes.
 

Firstly, oestrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically once your body realises it isn’t pregnant. This affects the neurotransmitters in your brain, particularly the ones that regulate your mood – serotonin and dopamine – leaving you feeling depressed and/or anxious. Meanwhile, your cortisol levels rise rapidly in the days before your period begins, making you feel more anxious. If you know bad cramps or bloating are on their way, you are probably already on edge, so this just makes it worse. If your sleep is also interrupted by these thoughts, you are even less able to cope with these emotions.
 

Some women are more sensitive to hormonal changes, which makes them more vulnerable to their ups and down. While it is not clear why this happens, genetics is the main suspect.
 
Severe anxiety can be a sign of two more serious issues that may require a visit to your doctor.
 

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects 1 in 20 women to the point where their moods and other symptoms impact their daily lives. There is an increased risk if a family member has anxiety or depression.
 

Watch out for the following symptoms:

- Irritability or anger that undermine your relationships
- Tension, sadness, anxiety, hopelessness or despair
- Inability to focus
- Loss of interest in activities or people
- Mood swings or bouts of crying
- Loss of energy
- Inability to sleep
- Craving food and bingeing
- A sense of loss of control

Premenstrual exacerbation occurs when pre-existing anxiety intensifies in the days leading up to your period. While it is related to the disorder described above, in this case your anxiety is a constant throughout the entire month, but gets worse during PMS.
 
Other conditions that can intensify during the luteal phase are depression, seizures, substance abuse, eating disorders, schizophrenia and migraines.

A148 - T01 - Can PMS cause anxiety?

Can PMS cause anxiety?

PH05 - ADP -  Pregnancy Vaginal Discharge - Related Articles

ICA01 - What Causes Irregular Periods?

Read

As long as your discharge is not itchy, smelly, or greenish-brown coloured, it is perfectly normal. Signs to look out for are cramping, pelvic pain or bleeding during sex, spots, weight gain, fever, or – as mentioned earlier – strange smells. This may indicate an underlying medical condition or serious hormonal imbalance that requires treatment.

These include things such as ovarian cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome, and cervical cancer (infection should be in this list as would be most common). These are rarely the cause, and they are often accompanied by other symptoms, so please don’t worry, but it is always worth getting the opinion of a medical professional.

A101 - T03 - When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge?

When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge?

A101 Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

Any cyst should be checked by a doctor. Even though most ovarian cysts aren't usually cancerous, you shouldn't take the chance. Pelvic exams help doctors to see if you have cysts at all. If, after an exam, your doctor suspects cysts, they may recommend other tests such as:

- Ultrasound — where sound waves are used to obtain a picture of your reproductive organs and the cysts can be identified and measured.
- Laparoscopy — It is an operation where a telescope is placed through the belly button under general anaesthetic to make a diagnosis or provide treatment.
- Blood test.

They will enable further ovarian cyst treatment

A057 - T011 - How treat ovarian cysts?

How treat ovarian cysts?

Calculate your cycle

Always be prepared

PH04 - Vaginal Discharge - Related Products

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A145 - ADP - Why do you get cravings on your period? -  Related Articles

A127 Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

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Put quite straightforwardly, brown discharge is caused by bits of blood getting caught up in your discharge, leaving your body. Here is a list of possible reasons why you might be experiencing brown discharge every once in a while:

- __You Have Just Finished Your Period__ Thick brown discharge is often a sign that your body is cleaning itself by flushing out residual blood from your period. Bits may come out with your discharge in the days after you think your period has ended. Older blood tends to turn more brownish. You might see this during your period when the blood is a bright red in the first few days and becomes browner a few days in. See this as a positive thing, as it means that your body is doing a good job of keeping clean.

- __You Are About To Ovulate__ Brown sticky discharge can also occur due to the hormonal changes your body experiences during ovulation. Oestrogen levels rise, prompting your body to release an egg from your ovaries, so the change in discharge texture is completely normal.

- __It’s Not You, It’s Your Birth Control__ Random brown discharge can be your body’s reaction to a new birth control pill or you might have forgotten to take your pill for a few days recently. This is thanks to the hormonal changes, and the spotting should stop as your body adjusts. If you have forgotten to take your birth control pill it’s important to start taking it as soon as possible and consider emergency contraception if you have had intercourse.

- __Your Cervix is Irritated__ The cervix is fairly sensitive, so anything from a slightly careless pelvic examination to vigorous bedroom antics can be causes of brown discharge.

- __You Are Stressed or Depressed__ Stress and depression can cause the lining of the uterus to thin, and parts of it to come away at unexpected times. Try to identify and remove the cause of stress from your life. Take some time out to relax or, if it feels more serious, see a doctor about the way you are feeling. With the right self-care and support, this brown discharge should clear up.

A101 - T01 - What Causes Brown Discharge?

What Causes Brown Discharge?

A029 - T08 - Get regular

Get regular

The menstrual cycle is affected by various diseases:

- thyroid diseases,
- pituitary tumours,
- adrenal diseases,
- ovarian cysts,
- liver dysfunction,
- coeliac disease,
- diabetes.

A045 - T04 - SUB08 -  Diseases

8. Diseases

A012 - FC05 - What increase spotting

What increase spotting

MCBLA03 - Symptoms of an abnormal period

Symptoms of an abnormal period

Maybe you made a mistake counting the days since your last period, so you think why is my period delayed, when in fact, it’s right on schedule.

The average [menstrual cycle](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/menstrual-cycle-phases "Menstrual cycle") is 28 days. But most women’s cycles are slightly longer or shorter than this. If your period is just two days late, it may be a result of normal cycle fluctuations from month to month.

Many women have slightly irregular cycles with one month being on, say, a 27-day cycle and the following month a 29-day one. This means that if the previous month’s period came “early”, the next month may seem like it’s “late.” It happens to the best of us.

A045 - T04 - SUB02 -  Miscalculation or normal fluctuation?

2.  Miscalculation or normal fluctuation?

One common cause of late periods is [Polycystic Ovary Syndrome](/en-gb/period-hub/symptoms-explained/ovarian-cysts-causes-treatment-and-prevention/ "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome"), aka PCOS, a condition that many women and girls experience.

This is when multiple follicular cysts form on the ovaries. These cysts contain eggs. PCOS is associated with hormonal disruption, which means the eggs may not be released, resulting in delayed, infrequent or absent periods.

PCOS is very common, and often the symptoms of PCOS can be managed with medication. Ask your doctor if you’re concerned.

A045 - T04 - SUB06 - PCOS

6. PCOS

Carousal - A127 - Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

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Worried about brown discharge?

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A040 What Causes Irregular Periods?

Irregular Periods can be confusing! If your period seems different, check out these reasons why it may seem off – and what to do about it.

What Causes Irregular Periods?

Always Sensitive - comparison chart

Always Ultra Night - comparison chart

PUE A01 - Stages of Puberty in Girls

Stages of Puberty in Girls

A029 - T02 - Stay hydrated

Stay hydrated

A007 When Is My Next Period Due?

PE02 - What Does Your First Period Look Like?

First Period, How it looks

PH02 / PH03 - ADP -  Menstrual Cycle / Symptoms Explained -  Our Best Sellers

Our Bestsellers

Irregular Periods can be confusing! If your period seems different, check out these reasons why it may seem off – and what to do about it.

Irregular periods can be scary, but don't worry. There are lots of reasons why your period may not show up on cue. Remember, it’s always best to talk to your doctor. In the meantime, we’ll try to help you understand some reasons why your periods may have changed and the causes of irregular periods.

Read the full article below

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A045 7 Reasons for a Late Period - Related Products

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Confidence at puberty

Irregular periods

Every woman at some point in her life experiences crampy menstrual pains. And how to get reduce period pain and cramps? You can start with warm compresses!

A015 How to get rid of period pain and cramps

How to get reduce period pain and cramps

If there’s a silver lining to getting period cramps, it’s that they often start a day or two before your period.

This gives you a nice (if uncomfortable!) heads up that your period is on its way, and enough time to check if your supply of pads and tampons is fully replenished from last month’s period.

You can also start wearing pantyliners to catch that first bit of period blood when it starts.

A015 - Get prepared

Get prepared


PA02 - 3 Stretches for Period Cramps

A047 What Are The Symptoms Before Your Period?

What Are The Symptoms Before Your Period?

MCPSA04 - How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Calculate your menstrual cycle

pregnancy discharge

A015 - How to get rid of period pain and cramps

A015 How to Get Rid of Period Pain and Cramps

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PMSA03 - Can PMS cause anxiety?

FPG02 - How to Dispose a Pad?

How to Dispose a Pad?

First Period Guide

A085 What’s a Bladder Infection?

Bladder infections are a common problem for a lot of girls. Visit our website to learn more about the symptoms of bladder infections and how to prevent them.

Bladder Infection Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

What’s a Bladder Infection?

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MCPSA05 - What causes long periods and what does it mean?

Long period

A128-I05-How to prevent it?

How to prevent it?

A045 - FC02 - Menstrual Cycle Length

Menstrual Cycle Length

VDEA07 - How Do I Know If My Discharge Is Normal?

Abnormal discharge?

Is it linked to pregnancy?

PUE A02 -What Are the Signs of Puberty in Girls?

Signs of Puberty

A045 7 Reasons for a Late Period - Related Articles

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Caurosal - A145 - Why do you get cravings on your period

Why do you get cravings on your period?

The different types of vaginal discharge are simply ways of our body letting us know what is going on. Click here to learn how to read them!

A137 Different types of vaginal discharge

Different types of vaginal discharge

PA03 - Why You May Be Getting Heavy Painful Periods

PAPA01 - First Period After Pregnancy: When Will It Start and What to Expect

First period after pregnancy

MCPSA03 - Your Menstrual Cycle Phases

Your Menstrual Cycle Phases

## Anxiety Before Period: Cause and Relief

You always want to be prepared for your period, by having the right supplies and time to change them to stay fresh. However, some women also focus on the emotions they experience each month.
This leads to the question: Can PMS cause anxiety?

The hormones related to your cycle do play a role in making you feel more insecure and anxious. However, if you experience excessive worrying, tension and nervousness, you are facing a different level of anxiety.


Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) brings on physical and psychological symptoms during the luteal phase of your period, i.e. the phase between ovulation and the end of bleeding. Fortunately, there are some ways to relieve PMS anxiety before it builds up to full-scale panic.

A148 Can PMS cause anxiety?

3 Stretches for Period Cramps

PA01 - What causes period pain?

What causes period pain?

Carousal - A101 Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

FPG01 - How to use a Pad?

How to use a Pad?

Explain it in a simple way

Discovering a little blood on your knickers before your period is due can be confusing. But breathe deep. It’s usually no big deal. Click to learn more!

A012 Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

A012 Article Flash card first Image Bleeding between Periods

A012 Bleeding Between Periods

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A101 - Should I be worried about Brown Discharge

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Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS)

What is PMS

Period symptoms

Period cravings

Can PMS cause anxiety?

Low energy before period

Bloating remedies

Pain

What causes period pain?

3 Stretches for Period Cramps

Heavy painful periods

Period pains and cramps

Issues & Conditions

Irregular periods

Ovarian cysts

What’s a Bladder Infection?

How to Check Your Breasts?

Breast lumps

Toxic Shock Syndrome