Making the Diagnosis
PMS is a condition that's largely self-diagnosed. This means that women tend to label themselves with PMS without actually seeing a doctor. Because PMS symptoms tend to reappear with every menstrual cycle, it becomes easy to recognize them. Those close to you may also notice differences in your behavior. A doctor may diagnose PMS if you tend to have many of the symptoms listed previously. The diagnosis of PMS includes a detailed history, checking for menstrual regularity, ovulation, and hormonal fluctuations and, in some cases, looking for possible psychiatric disorders (such as depression). It is often useful for women to chart their symptoms on a calendar to see if the symptoms are cyclical or last the entire month. This helps distinguish PMS from depression.