Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) - Exams and Tests
No single test can diagnose PMS. A diagnosis of PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is usually based on a medical history and information from a two- or three-cycle menstrual diary(What is a PDF document?) where you record your symptoms, menstruation days, and ovulation days, if possible.
Treatable thyroid problems sometimes cause symptoms like those of PMS. So you may have a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test to make sure that your thyroid gland is working properly.
Most nights, Karin Wacaser, 48, a public relations consultant in Dallas, sleeps soundly for about 10 hours. But three days before her period, like clockwork, Wacaser has intense insomnia, waking up every hour or two. "It's crazy," she says. "And frustrating. Sometimes I'll toss and turn for an hour until I can go back to sleep."At other times, Wacaser lies awake all night, finally falling asleep around 7 a.m. What is going on? "Each phase of the menstrual cycle has different effects on sleep," says...
Read the Why PMS Gives You Insomnia article > >
It's important for your doctor to rule out other conditions that cause symptoms like those of PMS, so it may take more than one visit to diagnose your symptoms. Diagnosing PMS may be difficult if you have another condition that gets worse during the last 2 weeks of your menstrual cycle.
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