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DeFining Premenstrual Syndrome
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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.
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
S — Sleeplessness
B — Backache
A — Anxiety
O—Outbursts of Temper
D — Dizziness
IA — Increased Appetite
AB — Abdominal Bloating
HP —Heart Palpitations
If you experience symptoms other than these, add them and a
corresponding letter to this list and chart them also.