The signs your period is coming aren’t the same for every person, and they can even change for an individual from month to month. For some, PMS symptoms are a minor annoyance, but for others, they can be debilitating.
You can use a period tracker like Flo, or our online period calculator to get an idea of when your next period might be due, but it’s also worth delving into some of the physical signs your period may be on its way. That way, you know what to look out for so you don’t get caught short without your menstrual product of choice.
What is PMS?
Knowing the signs your period is coming can help you handle your menstrual symptoms better. But first up: Why do we get PMS? According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, PMS is a pattern of emotional and physical symptoms that happen regularly (at least three menstrual cycles in a row), interfere with a person’s normal life, strike in the 5 days before, and end within 4 days after a period starts.
“Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that help control our menstrual cycle,” explains Amanda Kallen, MD, associate professor at Yale University School of Medicine of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Flo Medical Board expert. “These hormones fluctuate throughout a menstrual cycle: Estrogen is the dominant hormone before ovulation [your fertile window], and progesterone is dominant after ovulation [the days before your period starts]. This changing balance of hormones can contribute to PMS symptoms,” she explains.
What are the signs your period is coming?
Let’s take a look at the common signs of PMS, which can be a clear indicator that your period is about to arrive.
