Life
My encounters with premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, have been annoying at best. There were times in high school where the symptoms were so unbearable that I'd curl up in a bathroom stall for momentary relief. Luckily, as I got older, the PMS and general period pains subsided. But that doesn't mean I still don't experience a few weird signs of PMS every now again (because why should things get easier with age, right?) .
PMS doesn't follow any rule book, and will mess with you in any and every way possible. has no rulesI've cried at very act on America's Got Talent (even the comedians), dealt with migraines so pailful I can't get out of bed, and screamed after my touching overly tender breasts.
In the end, however, everyone experiences PMS differently. For a lot of women, common side effects like heightened emotions or muscle aches exist when it's almost time to reach for the tampons. This is generally because PMS is a time when your hormones are all over the place. As a result, the chance of weird reactions are high. If you find yourself wondering what strange behaviors you may experience during PMS, check out the signs here.
1
Clumsiness
According to Women's Health, the reason behind increased clumsiness around the time of your period remains a mystery, but it's frequently reported to gynecologists. Experts think that estrogen levels cause your liver to create hormones that cause fluid retention in your body and brain, leading to some clumsiness.
2
Insomnia
If your period is close, hormones may have an impact on your ability to fall asleep, according to Bustle. Estrogen and progesterone fluctuate before your period hits, and can directly influence your quality of sleep or being able to go to sleep at all.
3
Lower Pain Tolerance
The aforementioned Women's Health article also noted that pain receptors are more active during the week before and of your cycle. So it's a good idea to do any plucking, waxing, or other potentially painful things when you're not PMSing.
4
Lack Of Focus
If you're feeling spacey and can't focus, you can blame it on your period. According to GURL, your period affects neurotransmitters, which put you in a fog. This can also cause you to feel less motivated or lose concentration easily.
5
Painful Poops
These not-so-awesome changes in bowel movements are due to the hormone-like compound prostaglandins, which causes the uterus to contract, according to Women's Health. A ton of prostaglandins going through your body may mean you hit the toilet more often, while lack of prostaglandins could leave you wishing you could poop at all.
6
Itchiness
The aforementioned Gurl article noted that hormonal changes during your period could make you more prone to yeast growth. As a result, you may feel itchier down there or notice a little more discharge than normal.
7
Increased Anxiety
According to Everyday Health, peaked anxiety is a weird but normal sign of PMS, and you have hormone fluctuation to thank for it. When my period is near, my anxiety is through the roof.
8
Swelling
You might be surprised to find a weird but somewhat common symptom of PMS is bloating (and not just in your stomach), according to the aforementioned Gurl article. When PMS hits, you might feel like your feet and hands are bigger, because the body retains more water at this time.
9
Feelings Of Sadness
In the aforementioned Women's Health article, Yale School of Medicine Professor Dr. Mary Jane Minkin shared that sometimes women feel really down right before their period hits. Much like the shift in sleep patterns or lack of motivation, feeling bummed could also be caused by a fluctuation in neurotransmitters like serotonin.
10
Food Cravings
You may have heard of the stereotypical PMS chocolate cravings, but surprisingly, you can also find yourself craving starchy and fatty foods too. WebMD stated that 70 percent of women have PMS-related food cravings. Couple cravings with any hormonal changes affecting your mood, and you could have twice the temptation to grab that midnight snack.
11
Weird Dreams
If you're not having trouble falling asleep, you might just experience extremely vivid or crazy dreams instead. According to Insomnia.net, PMS and menstrual cycle hormone changes can cause vivid dreams, night sweats, and hot flashes. As if PMS itself isn't enough of a nightmare.
12
A Desire To Shop
During ovulation and PMS, you may be more likely to splurge on a new wardrobe, according to Reader's Digest. Additionally you could feel the need to get a blowout or dress to impress as part of your body's prep to have a child and potentially attract a suitor. So, if you're trying to save money, avoid browsing Amazon or heading into Target when you're about to start your period.
