Premenstrual Syndrome, commonly known as PMS, is a collection of symptoms that hinders your physical and emotional well-being.

PMS is very common, affecting nearly 47.8% of women of reproductive age worldwide.

A change in mood, behavior, emotions, physical abilities, etc., is expected due to PMS.

If you are facing these issues, you will want to get rid of these effects as soon as possible, but it may take some time.

If you wonder how long your PMS will last, you have come to the right place.

This article will discuss the time your PMS symptoms can last in detail. Read on to learn more. 

Fact
Only 3% to 8% of menstruating women have clinically significant PMS effects.

Timeline of PMS

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. But it can range from 21 to 35 days and still be considered normal.

This menstrual cycle is divided into four phases:

  • Menstrual phase
  • Follicular phase
  • Ovulation phase
  • Luteal phase

The PMS symptoms start in the Luteal phase; thus, it is also known as the Premenstrual phase. 

It is the phase between ovulation and the start of your period. The Luteal phase typically lasts 11 to 17 days from ovulation until menses, with the majority lasting 12 to 14 days.

The symptoms typically last for nine days, i.e., five days before menstruation begins, and go away within four days after the start of bleeding.

Which PMS symptoms last longer

There is a diverse range of symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome, some of which may last longer. 

You may still find yourself experiencing PMS symptoms after your period has finished or earlier in your cycle than you had anticipated.

There is no scientific evidence about which symptom will persist over others. But any of these PMS symptoms may last longer than usual: 

Emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms

Depressed mood
Depressed mood

You may have the following symptoms during the PMS phase:

  • Tension or anxiety
  • Depressed mood
  • Crying spells
  • Mood swings and irritability or anger
  • Change in libido
  • Appetite changes and food cravings
  • Trouble falling asleep (insomnia)
  • Social withdrawal
  • Poor concentration

Physical signs and symptoms

It’s normal to have the below-listed physical symptoms during your PMS:

  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Breast tenderness
  • Acne flare-ups
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Alcohol intolerance
Caution:
Consult your doctor immediately if any PMS symptoms persist and aggravate with time.

Factors affecting PMS to last longer

Premenstrual Syndrome can show its effects for some days and extend to more than a week. Some factors may play an active role in this extension.

Lifestyle habits

Poor lifestyle choices like smoking and eating foods high in fat, sugar, and salt can cause your PMS to last longer than usual.

A study was conducted on university students, and it was found that 95% of participants with poor dietary and lifestyle choices reported at least one PMS symptom during their menstrual period.

Moreover, a lack of regular physical activity and quality sleep contributes to poor lifestyles.

If you are habitual of these things, then your PMS symptoms may persist for longer. 

Chemical changes in the brain

PMS symptoms may be brought on by fluctuations in Serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) known to be vital to mood states. 

Premenstrual depression, exhaustion, food cravings, and sleep issues may all be brought on by low Serotonin levels.

If you already suffer from low levels of Serotonin due to chronic stress or other factors, then the PMS symptoms are aggravated and last longer.

Cyclic changes in hormones

Many medical professionals think that PMS results from fluctuating amounts of the Estrogen and Progesterone hormones.

Throughout your menstrual cycle, these hormones usually change. Hormones surge and then swiftly decrease during the Luteal phase, which can cause mood changes like irritation and agitation.

Some women with hormonal issues may experience severe PMS symptoms for longer.

Pre-existing mental health issues

In a research by the Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 390 participants, 264 with PMS, and 126 healthy students were assessed. 

The former group with PMS scored more and showed psychiatric symptoms like Depression, Anxiety, aggression, and interpersonal sensitivity.

If you already suffer from them, there is a high chance that your PMS symptoms, like irritability, crying spell, self-harming thoughts, etc., might increase.

How to control the longevity of PMS

Eating healthy food
Eating healthy food

Premenstrual Syndrome is prevalent, but it is not much severe for most women. You may also only face mild to severe PMS symptoms. 

Still, about 20% of reproductive-age women experience symptoms severe enough that may hamper their daily life activities.

Here are some effective ways to control the severity and longevity of PMS.

  • Exercise: 361 studies and 17 publications were assessed, and it was found that exercise helps reduce PMS symptoms. It can reduce psychological symptoms like anxiety and anger and physical symptoms like pain, constipation, and breast sensitivity.
  • Less stress: Chronic stress can be harmful during PMS. It is advised to stress less by using some calming and meditation techniques.
  • Healthy diet: A healthy and nutritious diet containing fresh and unprocessed foods may help control PMS. Avoid foods rich in carbohydrates or refined fats, salt, alcohol, and stimulant drinks.
  • Good lifestyle: A good and healthy lifestyle can be helpful in Premenstrual Syndrome. You should have quality sleep and reduce smoking and alcohol consumption.

Takeaway

Premenstrual Syndrome starts in the Luteal phase. It typically lasts 11 to 17 days from ovulation until menses, with the majority lasting 12 to 14 days.

The symptoms of PMS typically last for nine days, i.e., five days before menstruation begins, and go away within four days after the menstruation starts.

Some symptoms like weight gain, depression, change in libido, acne flare-ups, etc., may take time to go away.

The PMS symptoms may last longer because of poor dietary and lifestyle choices, hormonal fluctuations, pre-existing mental illness, etc.

To control the longevity of PMS, you can try meditation, exercise, eating healthy food, etc.

Recommended Article:
Read Explore the Top 10 Natural Remedies for PMS to learn about some natural ways to reduce PMS.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days of PMS is normal?

Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS may usually last for nine days. Five days before menstruation begins and four days after the menstruation starts. However, in some cases, it may last longer before and after menstruation.

Is it normal to have PMS for 2 weeks?

Premenstrual Syndrome happens in the Luteal phase, usually lasting 12 to 14 days. Thus, some people may experience PMS symptoms for two weeks. This may include before and after days of the menstruation period.

Is it normal to PMS for a week?

Yes, it is normal to have PMS for a week. There is no definite period for Premenstrual Syndrome. While some people can have it for only some days, some may have it for weeks. It mostly goes away at the start of your menstrual period.

What are the worst PMS days?

The severity of the Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms may change during or after the Luteal phase. It can be at its worst, especially four days before the start of the menstrual period. However, it may not be the same in everyone’s case. 

Citations:
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