Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common name for a wide variety of recurring psychological and physical
symptoms experienced
by some women in the week or two before menstruation.
Symptoms include sudden episodes of tearfulness, irritability, or depression; fatigue; water retention; headaches; and joint or muscle pain. Twenty to 50 percent of all women are believed to experience at least one symptom of PMS regularly; only 5 percent of these women are estimated to have symptoms severe enough to interfere with normal activity.
PMS can begin with puberty but is most
common in women over age 25. The cause is still unknown, but one theory proposes that low progesterone levels in the second half of the menstrual cycle may be responsible. There is no cure for PMS, but oral contraceptive use or diet and exercise programs may alleviate some symptoms. One study found that fluoxetine (Prozac) reduced PMS symptoms.