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Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
No single test can diagnose
premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A diagnosis of PMS or the
more severe form,
premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is usually
based on a
medical history and a two- or three-cycle menstrual
diary that records daily symptoms, menstruation days, and ovulation days, if
possible. Because it's important for your health professional to rule out other
conditions that cause PMS-like symptoms, it may take more than one visit to
diagnose your symptoms. See examples of symptom diaries or use this menstrual diary 
(What is a PDF document?).
Because treatable thyroid problems sometimes cause PMS-like symptoms, you may have a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test to make sure that your thyroid gland is working properly.
Diagnosing PMS may be difficult when a woman has another condition that
is made worse during the last 2 weeks of her
menstrual cycle 
.
- Although there are clear-cut criteria for diagnosing premenstrual syndrome, PMS symptoms often blend in with those of other conditions.
- All symptoms need to be evaluated and treated.
Knowing whether your symptoms are premenstrual helps you and your health professional decide on the best treatment for you. By definition, PMS and PMDD occur only during the phase between ovulation and the start of menstrual bleeding. Traditionally, ovulation was thought to happen 14 days before the next menstrual period, or on day 15 of a 28-day cycle. But ovulation dates often vary from woman to woman and from month to month. Women with irregular cycles have a wide range of possible ovulation days.
You can most accurately pinpoint your ovulation day by monitoring your cervical mucus, your basal body temperature, and your luteinizing hormone (LH) changes.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 17, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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