Q: I got pregnant in Jan but miscarriaed at 6 weeks. What suprised me is during Jan, i do not have any pms symptom. For me, PMS symptom usually start after ovulation, i will have breast tenderness. but when i got pregnant that month, there was no breast tenderness after ovulation. Is it true that when you are pregnant, you will not have any pms symptom?

Q: Last month my period was a couple days late due to stress. Right
before I got it, (less than 36 hours) I had sex for the first time in months. Today, my period is due and it is not here. I have all the symptoms of both PMS and pregancy: VERY tender breasts (this tends to always be my worst symptom), emotions, salt cravings, headaches an fatigue. Is the possibility of getting pregnant right before your period large?

A:You are not likely pregnant, since ovulation occurs in mid-cycle, and the egg that is produced dissolves within 24 hours. So, unless you

FULL QUESTION
Q: I have PCOS and until I gave birth to twins last December did not have a regular cycle unless taking medication to induce ovulation. Now I have had a cycle each month for the past 9 months. Since I was blessed with only one a year I don't know much in regards to PMS. However I have
noticed that for the past 2 months that 2 weeks before my period I feel
weepy, down and achy all over and have what feels like light cramping.
The week before my period I am a bear and snappy and want to eat everything in sight. Can you have PMS for 2 weeks prior to your cycle?

Irregular periods can be a sign of many different conditions. I would need far more history as well as a physical exam to even attempt to give you a reason. If this shortened cycle persists, you should see your doctor for a check-up.

Q. My pms has become severed in the last year. I am 42 years old now and
believe I'm entering perimenopause. The last three months my periods have
been irregular, so now I don't know when my symptoms are pms or not. Can we have extended pms symptoms when we are irregular? Also, dizziness has increased tenfold for me, to the point where I can't function, and fullness and ringing in my ears and sometimes headaches. I am not taking aspirin or ibuprofen. I had a bout of all of this a week ago, then felt
better a few days and now it's back. I am currently at 32 days in what

Be prepared! Also use the Monthly 'Monstrual' Chart in The Princess and the PMS to monitor your moods, aches and pains. This will give you a PMS road map to follow, helping you recognize when your demon double is coming to town.

I don't like birth control pills altogether: they deprive women of hormones. Even though they are supposed to be a hormone pill, they are actually suppressing your own hormone supply, leading to depression, lack of sex drive (a big one for women on the pill!) and other side effects. Suppressing nature often backfires, and I believe that this new pill is one of those medications that manipulates the body's normal function in a negative way.

Your responses are not uncommon. Self control is a good place to start. You could say you feel cranky— no need to act it out on the poor guy! Your best bet is to be prepared, and to take supplements all month long if you need to, in order to avoid getting PMS in the first place. Otherwise, start taking them at the first hint of being out of balance emotionally/hormonally. And watch your diet: minimize salt, sugar, caffeine, and preservatives.

You can drink herb tea, warm or cool, or diluted fruit juice—enough for flavor but not enough to cause problems due to sugar overload. Remember, sugar at any time is unhealthy and worse during PMS. Soft drinks, coffee, and caffeinated tea are not considered part of your water intake, and in fact, are "anti-nutrients" in that they cause your body to leach calcium, magnesium and other precious nutrients.

Everyone's chemistry is different, so sometimes you just have to try the various remedies until you find a combination that works for you, and that can change over time, as well. When I developed my PMS formula, I kept that in mind, so included a variety of nutrients that are known to be effective and work in synergy.