clinical features
Last edited 03/2018
Most women experience at least mild 'physiological' premenstrual symptoms at some time in their lives.
Features may be classified into:
- physical
- joint pain, muscle pain, back pain
- breast tenderness or pain
- abdominal swelling or bloating
- headaches
- skin disorders
- weight gain
- swelling of extremities (hands or feet or both)
- psychological and behavioural symptoms
- changes in appetite, overeating, or specific food cravings
- fatigue, lethargy, or lack of energy
- mood swings (for example, feeling suddenly sad or crying, increased sensitivity to rejection)
- irritability
- anger
- sleep disturbances
- restlessness
- poor concentration
- social withdrawal
- not in control
- lack of interest in usual activities
- loneliness
- anxiety
- depressed mood
- confusion
- tension
- hopelessness (1)
Patients may complain of predominantly physical symptoms, predominantly psychological symptoms, or both (1).
A study of 7226 women has revealed that the most common symptoms were of the physical domain: abdominal bloating, irritability, mastalgia and joint/muscle/back pains
Oedema may be severe, some women gaining up to 1 Kg in weight in the latter part of the menstrual cycle.
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