PMS is short for 'pre-mentrual syndrome': a series of complaints girls may have before they have their period.
Some use the term loosely, referring to all complaints that precede menstruation. This concerns more than 150, varying from headaches and feelings depressed to painful breasts and outbursts of aggression.
Some reserve the term for those girls who have such severe complaints that they cannot go on with their normal life. It is estimated that this is true for about 5-10% of the female population.
Because the complaints of PMS differ widely there is no simple solution. Some girls feel better when they start using oral contraceptives, but others don’t. They might benefit from a change of diet (restricting sugar and salt) or from physical exercise. It often takes time to find a way to cope with it.

Symptoms