Included in recognised PMDD diagnostic criteria, either as a specific symptom or within the physical-symptom criterion group.
Itching. Brain fog. Rage. Migraine. Relationship doubt.
Some are recognised PMDD symptoms. Others may be premenstrual, cycle-linked or signs of a separate condition. Explore the difference and choose what to track.
Read the label before the list
Not every cycle-linked symptom means the same thing.
Evidence labels keep the page broad enough to recognise real experiences while preventing the assumption that every symptom is PMDD.
Commonly described with PMS or PMDD, but not enough on its own to identify PMDD.
Some people report a repeating cycle pattern, but this is not a defining PMDD symptom and may have another cause.
May represent premenstrual worsening of another condition rather than PMDD itself. Medical assessment may be important.
Explore by body, mind or experience
Symptoms can look unrelated until timing reveals the pattern.
Select an area, search in your own words, or filter by evidence level. A repeating pattern is useful information; it is not proof that every symptom is caused by PMDD.
Evidence level
Evidence labels keep the page broad enough to recognise real experiences while preventing the assumption that every symptom is PMDD.
Every symptom area40 results
Recognised PMDD criterionMood and emotions
Sudden mood swings
Rapid shifts into sadness, tearfulness or emotional intensity.
Recognised PMDD criterionMood and emotions
Extreme sensitivity to rejection
A small comment, delay or change in tone can feel like abandonment.
Recognised PMDD criterionMood and emotions
Irritability, anger or conflict
Ordinary noise, requests or interruptions can feel unbearable.
Recognised PMDD criterionMood and emotions
Depressed mood or hopelessness
Feeling empty, worthless, bleak or convinced nothing will improve.
Recognised PMDD criterionMood and emotions
Anxiety, tension or feeling on edge
A sense that something bad is about to happen, even without a clear reason.
Recognised PMDD criterionMood and emotions
Loss of interest or connection
Activities, people or hobbies can suddenly feel pointless or exhausting.
Recognised PMDD criterionThinking and focus
Brain fog and poor concentration
Losing words, rereading the same sentence or struggling to follow a task.
Recognised PMDD criterionThinking and focus
Decision paralysis and overwhelm
Small choices can feel impossible and ordinary demands can feel unmanageable.
Recognised PMDD criterionSleep and energy
Severe fatigue or low energy
A heavy, drained feeling that sleep may not fix.
Recognised PMDD criterionSleep and energy
Insomnia or broken sleep
Difficulty falling asleep, waking repeatedly or waking too early.
Recognised PMDD criterionSleep and energy
Sleeping much more than usual
Needing extra sleep or feeling unable to stay awake despite resting.
Recognised PMDD criterionAbdomen and digestion
Appetite changes or strong cravings
Sudden hunger, loss of appetite or feeling driven toward particular foods.
Recognised PMDD criterionBreasts and chest
Breast tenderness or swelling
Aching, heaviness, fullness or pain with touch and movement.
Recognised PMDD criterionAbdomen and digestion
Bloating, fluid retention or weight change
Feeling swollen, tight or suddenly larger despite no major lifestyle change.
Recognised PMDD criterionMuscles, joints and whole body
Joint or muscle pain
Aches, stiffness and increased pain sensitivity before menstruation.
Common premenstrual symptomHead and senses
Headache or migraine
Head pain that may arrive with light sensitivity, nausea or aura.
Possible cycle-linked symptomHead and senses
Noise, light or touch sensitivity
Ordinary sound, brightness, clothing or physical contact can feel intolerable.
Possible cycle-linked symptomHead and senses
Dizziness or feeling off-balance
Light-headedness, floating, swaying or feeling unsteady.
Possible cycle-linked symptomSkin and allergy-like symptoms
Unexplained itching or crawling sensations
Feeling bitten, prickled or itchy even when there are no obvious bite marks.
Possible overlapping conditionSkin and allergy-like symptoms
Hives, flushing or a recurring rash
Redness, raised welts or skin eruptions that appear at a similar cycle stage.
Possible cycle-linked symptomSkin and allergy-like symptoms
Skin tenderness or sensitivity
Clothing, water, shaving or touch can suddenly feel irritating or painful.
Common premenstrual symptomSkin and allergy-like symptoms
Acne or oilier skin
Breakouts and skin changes that recur before menstruation.
Possible cycle-linked symptomBreasts and chest
Heart-racing or palpitations
Feeling pounding, fluttering, skipping or a suddenly fast heartbeat.
Common premenstrual symptomAbdomen and digestion
Nausea or reduced appetite
Feeling queasy, unsettled or unable to face food.
Common premenstrual symptomAbdomen and digestion
Constipation, diarrhoea or bowel urgency
A repeating change in bowel habits around the cycle.
Common premenstrual symptomAbdomen and digestion
Pelvic pressure or cramps
Aching, dragging or cramping before bleeding begins.
Possible cycle-linked symptomMuscles, joints and whole body
Feeling unusually hot, cold or sweaty
Temperature regulation can feel different for several days.
Possible cycle-linked symptomMuscles, joints and whole body
Tingling, prickling or numb sensations
Pins and needles or unusual skin sensations that seem to follow a cycle pattern.
Possible cycle-linked symptomMuscles, joints and whole body
Lower pain tolerance
Existing aches, headaches or touch can feel much more intense.
Possible cycle-linked symptomBehaviour and relationships
Changes in libido or tolerance for touch
Sexual interest may rise, fall or feel disconnected from the rest of the month.
Common premenstrual symptomBehaviour and relationships
Social withdrawal or needing to disappear
Avoiding calls, plans, family or work because interaction feels impossible.
Possible cycle-linked symptomBehaviour and relationships
Sudden relationship doubts or urge to leave
Feeling certain the relationship is wrong during one phase, then very different later.
Possible cycle-linked symptomBehaviour and relationships
Impulsive decisions or risky coping
Spending, eating, drinking, messaging or quitting can feel urgently necessary.
Common premenstrual symptomBehaviour and relationships
Work, study or parenting suddenly feels impossible
Capacity can drop sharply even though responsibilities have not changed.
Possible overlapping conditionMood and emotions
Existing depression or anxiety becomes worse
Symptoms are present all month but intensify before menstruation.
Possible overlapping conditionThinking and focus
ADHD or executive-function symptoms worsen
Focus, emotional regulation and task initiation may become harder.
Possible overlapping conditionHead and senses
An existing migraine disorder worsens
Attacks become more frequent, longer or more disabling around menstruation.
Possible overlapping conditionSkin and allergy-like symptoms
Eczema or dermatitis worsens premenstrually
A known skin condition becomes itchier or more inflamed before menstruation.
Possible overlapping conditionAbdomen and digestion
IBS or digestive symptoms worsen
A known bowel condition becomes more painful or unpredictable around the cycle.
Possible overlapping conditionMuscles, joints and whole body
Chronic pain or inflammatory symptoms worsen
An existing pain condition becomes harder to control before menstruation.
Do not explain away red flags
A cycle pattern can be a clue. It should never block urgent care.
Breathing difficulty, throat or facial swellingSudden weakness, speech or vision changeChest pain, fainting or severe breathlessnessSuicidal thoughts or inability to stay safe
Find urgent supportBrowse the full map
Nine areas. One timeline.
Tracking each symptom separately helps show whether several apparently unrelated experiences rise and fall together.
Clinical sources and boundaries
Broad recognition, careful claims.
The symptom map combines recognised PMDD criteria with clearly labelled premenstrual symptoms and possible overlaps. It is designed for observation and discussion—not self-diagnosis.
Source
ACOG — Premenstrual Syndrome
The symptom map combines recognised PMDD criteria with clearly labelled premenstrual symptoms and possible overlaps. It is designed for observation and discussion—not self-diagnosis.
Open source ↗SourceOffice on Women’s Health — PMDD
The symptom map combines recognised PMDD criteria with clearly labelled premenstrual symptoms and possible overlaps. It is designed for observation and discussion—not self-diagnosis.
Open source ↗SourceNHS — Premenstrual syndrome
The symptom map combines recognised PMDD criteria with clearly labelled premenstrual symptoms and possible overlaps. It is designed for observation and discussion—not self-diagnosis.
Open source ↗SourceNIH review — Progestogen hypersensitivity
The symptom map combines recognised PMDD criteria with clearly labelled premenstrual symptoms and possible overlaps. It is designed for observation and discussion—not self-diagnosis.
Open source ↗SourceDermNet — Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis
The symptom map combines recognised PMDD criteria with clearly labelled premenstrual symptoms and possible overlaps. It is designed for observation and discussion—not self-diagnosis.
Open source ↗SourcePubMed — Premenstrual exacerbation of mental health disorders
The symptom map combines recognised PMDD criteria with clearly labelled premenstrual symptoms and possible overlaps. It is designed for observation and discussion—not self-diagnosis.
Open source ↗SourcePubMed — ADHD and sex hormones in females
The symptom map combines recognised PMDD criteria with clearly labelled premenstrual symptoms and possible overlaps. It is designed for observation and discussion—not self-diagnosis.
Open source ↗SourceClinical and Experimental Dermatology — Premenstrual atopic dermatitis exacerbation
The symptom map combines recognised PMDD criteria with clearly labelled premenstrual symptoms and possible overlaps. It is designed for observation and discussion—not self-diagnosis.
Open source ↗The pattern matters more than a one-off list
Start trackingRecord what happens, when it starts and when it lifts.
Daily tracking across multiple cycles can help distinguish a repeating premenstrual pattern from symptoms that remain present throughout the month.