How long before your period do you pms?
Let’s face it – as much as we love being female and all the wonderful things that come with our gender, there are some parts of it that can be pretty rough. For example, premenstrual syndrome or PMS is something many women have to deal with on a monthly basis, and boy can it be unpleasant. However, knowing when to expect it can make all the difference in the world!
What is PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a variety of physical and emotional symptoms that occur before menstruation. It can start anywhere from 1-2 weeks before your period arrives, and usually subsides once bleeding begins.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms of PMS include:
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings
- Cramps
- Headaches/migraines
- Fatigue/Lethargy
But let’s be honest… every woman experiences their own unique set of symptoms. Mine include an insatiable craving for pizza, while my sister’s includes sudden outburst of tears over cute dog videos on Facebook.
When Does It Start?
So now you’re probably wondering: how long before your period do you actually start experiencing these delightful side-effects? Unfortunately (as if we needed anymore uncertainty), there isn’t a clear-cut answer since different women experience different timing for onset depending on hormonal levels etc; I mean if only our bodies could work like clockwork! But generally speaking…
Time Frame
Most studies suggest that women typically begin experiencing PMs at least 5 days prior to menstruation starting however there are outliers who may feel them two weeks leading up into their “moon cycle”. There will also be individual differences between each person’s menstrual cycles so tracking personal patterns through apps such as Flo/Ovia/Pink Pad are useful tools to predict symptoms forms a relatively predictable pattern for some stable patients.
How Long Does It Last?
With most things health-related, unfortunately there isn’t one definitive answer that will apply to everyone. The duration of premenstrual syndrome usually lasts anywhere from 2-7 days before the start of your period and usually subsides soon after bleeding occurs.
Duration Factors
However – this can vary depending on factors such as genetics or stress level (if you need something else to worry about). So don’t be surprised if you notice an additional pimple the morning leading up to pregistered menses window.
It also depends on how severe your PMS is – some women experience mild discomfort while others find themselves completely debilitated during their time of month.
Who Gets PMS?
The short answer here is “anyone with a uterus.” However, certain demographics are more prone to experiencing premenstrual syndrome than others.
Demographics
Studies suggest that women who smoke cigarettes, have depression/anxiety disorders or malnutrition are at higher risk for PMS symptoms. Why not throw everything uncomfortable into one pot! Ethnicity may also play a role in determining susceptibility; Africian American women report experiencing more intense PMS side effects when compared groups 📊
Essentially it seems like we all won jackpot in our lottery system we know better as hormonal fluxuations.
Managing Symptoms
We know: it’s hard enough dealing with cramps and bloating every month without being told what you should be doing to manage them but realistically effective self-care practices go far beyound indulging cravings.
Here are several personal tips:
Hydration keeping hydrated helps eliminate any physical symptoms
Exercise/Breathing techniques When your hormones rage so does blood pressure resulting chest tension & headaches which means BREATHING = relaxation.This also leads us onto exercise: by breaking out a sweat, the body is able to release endorphins which act as natural mood lifters.
Herbs / Supplements: It's said that some herbal remedies with diuretic properties can help alleviate bloating such as dandelion tea while incorporating calcium and magnesium supplements.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, PMS is a pain in our lives we cannot avoid. The best thing you can do? Recognize your symptoms so you can plan accordingly: maybe satisfy that ice cream craving ahead of time or reminding ourselves this week I shall rewatch my favorite Rom-Coms because hormonal fluctuations or not there are always laughs to be had.
I forgot who it was but very wise person once told me “It’s ok if you’re not yourself this week, hormones will flair up – just make sure your Youtube recommendations are on point..”
Stay strong ladies 🦸🏾♀️