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PMS Health Center

woman with stomach cramps

PMS

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, describes symptoms a woman has a few days before her menstrual cycle, including tender breasts, bloating, cramps, mood swings, and headaches. Lifestyle changes and drugs can help relieve PMS.

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Topic Overview

What is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

Most women have tender breasts, bloating, and muscle aches a few days before they start their menstrual periods. These are normal premenstrual symptoms. But when they affect your daily life, they are called premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS can affect your body as well as your mood. Sometimes it can make you change the way you act.

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