How do you know if you have PMS?

[Milk You]

Okay, if this is the wrong thread for this, I'm sorry. Lately I've been getting upset with two people very close to me and yelling at them/arguing with them fairly easily. This isn't very characteristic of me, and since it's that time of the month I've started to wonder if I have PMS.

 

I don't exactly want to go up to them and say, "I'm sorry I acted that way, I have PMS." But... I wouldn't really know how else to explain my behaviour.

 

How do you know if you have it? Is it possible to get it later in life? If you do have it, are you supposed to tell the people close to you that the reason you were so mean to them probably has something to do with it?

 

Thanks for any help.

[JeckyllNHyde]

PMS symptoms

mood swings

irritability

depression

anxiety

angry outbursts

confusion or fuzzy thinking

tearfulness

fatigue

insomnia

changes in libido

overeating

cravings, especially for salty or sweet foods

alcohol intolerance

acne

hives

abdominal and pelvic cramps

bloating

weight gain

headaches

menstrual migraines

breast swelling and pain

edema (visible swelling, particularly in the hands, feet and legs)

asthma

sinus problems

sore throat

worsening of chronic conditions like arthritis and ulcers

difficulty with coordination, being more prone to accidents

dizziness, decreased balance

heart pounding (palpitation)

nausea

fainting

urinary problems

source: link removed

 

And for me, I usually get most of the ones mentioned in the beginning a week or so before my period. Tearfullness, fuzzy thinking, weight gain, pains, outbursts and a few more, but they aren't SUPER noticeable. Jut mostly mild changes.

[itsallgrand]

I personally just let the ones close to me know that I'm not feeling my best, and am very tired.

 

I don't know exactly how you'd know or not. For me, having my period has always meant a whole slew of symptoms, so I KNOW.

 

I think it's enough to know that hey, yes, during that time now you feel crankier. Acknowledge it to yourself, whether it is PMS or not, you aren't feeling good.

 

People tend to catch on without you having to say it if it is a monthly thing. It's up to you how much you want to share about it, but it's good to set some time to treat yourself extra well regardless.

 

And for those who are understanding when you say, sorry for lashing out, treat them extra well too! It helps a lot to have considerate people around.

[Lana0120]

I'd just say 'I'm feeling a bit under the weather' or something like that, rather than getting into the big details.

[Desiderata]

I try not to say that even when I know I am because then I feel like I could use that excuse all of the time if I wanted to. I just know when I get irritable and it's really stereotypical but I definitely crave a lot of things - always different, but mostly chocolate. I've just heard that it's almost always that or salty foods. But when my moods start to change really rapidly and I get upset easily, that is when I know. But Jeckyll had a pretty good list up there, so that's probably best to look at.

[android12]

its not a disease haha you may have it, you may not, it differs...sometimes u may notice you have it, sometimes u may not. i have the bloating and small amounts of acne really often, but only on occasional months get tearful or moody and have cravings..i think it differs each month, just tell people youre not feeling great at the moment and IF they ask y all you need to say is its that time of the month...people will get it