Symptoms Your Period Is Coming Soon
Roughly 80 percent of women experience at least one premenstrual symptom in the days leading up to their period, according to an August 2016 American Family Physician article. These physical and/or emotional symptoms are thought to occur primarily due to changes in the levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone as your period approaches.
Depending on the usual length of your cycle, you can experience premenstrual symptoms from 1 to 2 weeks before your period starts — although symptoms usually peak a day or two before bleeding commences. Premenstrual symptoms occur during the second half of your cycle after you ovulate.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms that signal your period is coming soon vary from one woman to another and sometimes from one cycle to the next. Menstrual cramps typically signal your period will begin within 24 to 48 hours. Some of the many possible additional physical symptoms you might experience in the days leading up to your period include:
Emotional and Mental Symptoms
Running Track During Your Period
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- Irritability
- Moodiness
- Short temper
- Impulsiveness
- Crying easily
- Sadness
- Decreased sociability
- Decreased interest in sex
- Reduced ability to concentrate
- Forgetfulness
- Sleepiness
- Reduced motivation :
Predicting Your Periods
Tracking your menstrual cycles and premenstrual symptoms can help you more accurately predict your periods — and avoid a potentially embarrassing surprise. A large number of apps are available for both Apple and Android smartphones, many of which allow you to track premenstrual symptoms. However, some period tracking apps are inaccurate.
A study published in June 2016 in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that only 20 out of 108 free period tracking apps evaluated were accurate. Talk with your healthcare provider about recommendations regarding the best apps available to track and predict your periods. Alternatively, you can always go old school and track your symptoms in a diary or on a calendar.
- Tracking your menstrual cycles and premenstrual symptoms can help you more accurately predict your periods — and avoid a potentially embarrassing surprise.
Normal Symptoms Versus Premenstrual Disorder
How to Tell if Your Period Is Coming
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For most women, premenstrual symptoms are uncomfortable but do not significantly interfere with daily life. If you frequently experience premenstrual symptoms that interfere with your work, academic or home life, talk with your healthcare provider as you might have a premenstrual disorder or a medical condition that mimics a premenstrual disorder.
According to the previously mentioned August 2016 American Family Physician article, premenstrual disorders affect an estimated 12 percent of women of childbearing age. Premenstrual syndrome is less disabling than the more severe premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which affects an estimated 1 to 5 percent of menstruating women 25.
Related Articles
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Frequently Asked Questions: Premenstrual Syndrome
- American Family Physician: Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Merck Manual Professional Version: Female Reproductive Endocrinology
- BMC Women's Health: Gastrointestinal Symptoms Before and During Menses in Healthy Women
- Lancet: Premenstrual Syndrome
- Obstetrics and Gynecology: Evaluation of Smartphone Menstrual Cycle Tracking Applications Using an Adapted APPLICATIONS Scoring System
- Sit D, Seltman H, Wisner KL. Menstrual effects on mood symptoms in treated women with bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord. 2011;13(3):310-317. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2011.00921.x
- Teatero ML, Mazmanian D, Sharma V. Effects of the menstrual cycle on bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord. 2014;16(1):22-36. doi:10.1111/bdi.12138
- Balık G, Hocaoğlu Ç, Kağıtcı M, Güvenda Güven ES. Comparison of the effects of PMDD and pre-menstrual syndrome on mood disorders and quality of life: A cross-sectional study. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2015;35(6):616-620. doi:10.3109/01443615.2014.991283
- Epperson CN, Steiner M, Hartlage SA, et al. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Evidence for a New Category for DSM-5. Am J Psychiatry. 2012;169(5):465-475. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11081302
- Mohebbi Dehnavi Z, Jafarnejad F, Sadeghi Goghary S. The effect of 8 weeks aerobic exercise on severity of physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome: a clinical trial study. BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):80. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0565-5
- Cunningham J, Yonkers KA, O'Brien S, Eriksson E. Update on Research and Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2009;17(2):120-137. doi:10.1080/10673220902891836
- Dias RS, Lafer B, Russo C, et al. Longitudinal follow-up of bipolar disorder in women with premenstrual exacerbation: findings from STEP-BD. Am J Psychiatry. 2011;168(4):386-394. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.09121816
Writer Bio
Dr. Tina M. St. John owns and operates a health communications and consulting firm. She is also an accomplished medical writer and editor, and was formerly a senior medical officer with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. St. John holds an M.D. from Emory University School of Medicine.