Here are a few tips to help you beat them...

What is PMS?

PMS is a collection of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms related to a woman's menstrual cycle, with up to one in three affected every month. Traditionally it's been linked to sex hormone levels but ovulation is now thought to be a trigger.

Symptoms

More than 150 different symptoms have been attributed to PMS, but they can be grouped under two main headings - psychological and physical. The most common psychological ones are mood swings, depression, insomnia, anger and anxiety, while the physical ones include bloating, breast pain, headaches and swollen ankles.

How to deal with it

The best general advice is keep fit and active, even though you may not feel like it. Exercise can relieve the symptoms of PMS as well as boosting your self-confidence. There's no evidence that certain foods or drinks are triggers but some women find it helps to cut down on caffeine and carbs.

Supplements

Taking vitamin B6 as a supplement may also help. Agnus Castus (Chasteberry) extract, which is available from health food shops, has been shown to lessen the psychological symptoms for some women.

Other help

Stopping ovulation should also reduce the affects of PMS. Taking the Pill is an obvious first step but other contraceptive methods can work too. Antidepressant tablets taken prior to a period have been shown to help severe cases of the blues.

Talk it over

The constant feeling of being irritable for no real reason can be tiring both for you and your family. Talk to them so they can understand what you're going through.

For more info take a look at www.pms.org

Source: Daily Mirror

Pic: Glenda Otero