Early Symptoms of PMS

PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, affects women seven to 14 days before their period begins; symptoms can start out mild in early PMS, then become more severe. According to Safe Menopause Solutions, PMS affects an estimated three out of four menstruating women. Symptoms of PMS can be divided into two groups: emotional and behavioral or physical, according to the Mayo Clinic. While PMS has multiple symptoms, women usually experience only a few of the symptoms at a time.

Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, the first group of early PMS symptoms affect the woman emotionally or behaviorally. A woman with PMS may experience tension, anxiety, irritability and insomnia. She may also have a depressed mood, along with crying spells, mood swings and appetite changes. During PMS, a woman may withdraw from other people or activities, and can suffer from poor concentration.

Physical Symptoms

The second group of early PMS symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic, affects the woman physically. Pain can occur, such as in the woman's joints or muscles, as well as tenderness in her breasts. She may experience temporary weight gain during PMS due to fluid retention, plus bloating in her abdomen, constipation and diarrhea. Other common physical symptoms of PMS are headaches and acne on the woman's face, shoulders or back.

Duration and Severity

PMS is a temporary condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of PMS stop once the woman's menstrual period begin. For some women, early PMS symptoms can be less severe; the symptoms can be their worse right before the woman's period start. According to the Mayo Clinic, some women have severe enough PMS symptoms that it interferes in their daily activities. If the symptoms are very intense, the woman may be diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD.