5 uncommon PMS symptoms that might surprise you

When it comes to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), most people expect the usual suspects: cramps, irritability, and mood swings.

But PMS isn’t always predictable and for some women, their PMS comes with a range of lesser-known symptoms that can be surprising and even confusing.

Here are some uncommon PMS symptoms that many women experience.

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Some women develop a much sharper sense of smell in the days leading up to their period. Scents that usually go unnoticed like perfumes your neighbour is wearing, the food they are cooking two houses away or even body odour  suddenly become overwhelming. This heightened sense of smell is linked to fluctuating estrogen levels.

Another uncommon PMS symptom some women experience is change in sleep patterns leading to restlessness, insomnia, or extremely vivid dreams. Sleep disturbances can also intensify mood swings and fatigue during this time.

PMS can also trigger unexpected digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, or excessive gas. These are usually caused by hormonal effects on the digestive tract, particularly a drop in progesterone.

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While mild mood changes are common with PMS, some women experience intense emotional symptoms like sudden anxiety, sadness, irritability, or even depressive and suicidal thoughts. These emotional shifts are linked to fluctuations in hormones and in more severe cases, it may be a sign of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). 

For some women, abdominal bloating is common during the days leading to their period. But then, for some this bloating is taken to another level as it occurs in their face, hands and even feet. This bloating is usually due to water retention caused by hormonal shifts, particularly involving estrogen and progesterone.

Three or four days after having their period, some women experience excessive farting. While this is not actually a PMS symptom, it is the end result of bloating before they had before the period. Most of that water retention bloated face leads to more gas being trapped in the intestines, and then excessive flatulence with the gas released via farting, which doesn't smell bad by the way.

Did any of these symptoms shock you?

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