According to usdoctor.com, PMS is a disorder characterized by a set of hormonal changes that trigger disruptive symptoms in a significant number of women for up to two weeks prior to menstruation. PMS actually covers, what experts believe, up to 150 symptoms including feeling "out-of-control", depression, sore breasts and uncontrollable crying spells.

A website dedicated to helping the clueless understand this medical condition, PMS.com, states that an estimated 70-90% of women suffer from various degrees of PMS. A further 3-8% unfortunate souls suffer from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), where emotional symptoms are severe enough to disrupt their lives.

Some useful advice from these online sites (note: take them with a pinch of salt) ...

• If you have tender breasts, STOP THE CAFFEINE. That also means no more chocolates... :( Oh. And wear a good bra *duh*
  
• If you feel bloated, drink more water as this helps you flush out 'stuff' and reduces bloated-ness. At the same time, do reduce your salt intake.
  
• If you have mood swings and are easily irritated, try exercising to increase the level of endorphins (aha feel good hormones) in your body. Another suggestion is have a warm bubble bath but personally, I think this wouldn't work. C'mon, we're bleeding damnit! I ain't sitting in no red-coloured bath. Sorry for grossing you out there..
  
• And the all common pain-in-the-ass cramps/backpain - heat pad, paracetemol, yoga/stretching and a quirky suggestion: microwaving a sock filled with rice. :S A personal favourite of mine is chocolates but of course ... it's suppose to be bad.

Actual occurance of "That-time-of-the-month" follows a cycle which normally peaks on the 2nd day and runs off within the week. Irregular vs. regular period cycles are mostly a matter of genes and stress environment. Lucky them who can count off their cycle periods. I use my twin peaks as gauges. *heh*

But seriously, I really hate having periods. I mean c'mon...we spend 1-2 weeks having aches and depression, another week bleeding and cramping and the last week anticipating the start of the cycle all over again. Not much to enjoy there ya know...

Anway, I found something rather interesting on the Net. An old comic on Ms. PMS. Seriously...Unfortunately it didn't last past the 1st issue. *ha* To read more about the (mis)adventures of Ms. PMS, do read this link.

A good friend of mine once said, women suffer from PMS all the time: Pre, Post, Permanent. *haha* Well, all it takes is a little understanding, more patience and alot of heat packs guys...having said that, period really does suck. Period.