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Clinical features

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

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.

Reference:


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