Premenstrual Disorders

Record your symptoms for three consecutive menstrual cycles on the chart to the left, using the letters to represent the symp- tom you are experiencing. If the symptom is mild to moderate use a lower case letter, but if it is severe record a capital letter. Use an “M” to mark your menstrual flow days.

H—Headache

F — Food Cravings

BT — Breast Tenderness

T — Tired

I — Irritability B — Backache

S — Sleeplessness A — Anxiety D — Dizziness

O—Outbursts of Temper IA — Increased Appetite HP —Heart Palpitations

AB — Abdominal Bloating

If you experience symptoms other than these, add them and a corresponding letter to this list and chart them also.

her everyday schedule. Even her clothes fit differently than at other times of the month. Emily’s mother notices the changes and feels they are severe enough that Emily should see her physician. Emily, with the help of her physician, will need to learn the truth about menstrual symptoms and how this natural and important cycle af- fects her moods and her body before she can live more normally.

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DeFining Premenstrual Syndrome