---
title: What is the difference between period pain and premenstrual syndrome?
description: Period pain and PMS are different conditions. Period pain is throbbing, cramping in the lower abdomen with back pain, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. PMS cau
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/period-pain-to-menstrual-irregularities-a-comprehensive-guide-to-menstrual-2023/
---

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- What is the difference between period pain and premenstrual syndrome?

Study, 2023

# What is the difference between period pain and premenstrual syndrome?

Period pain and PMS are different conditions. Period pain is throbbing, cramping in the lower abdomen with back pain, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. PMS causes weight gain, bloating, irritability, and fatigue starting 1 to 2 weeks before the period.

 Early or limited evidence

Women experiencing menstrual periods

## What they did

This is an informational guide explaining what menstrual disorders are.

## What they found

Period pain symptoms include throbbing, cramping in lower abdomen, lower back pain, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. PMS symptoms include weight gain, bloating, irritability, and fatigue. PMS usually begins 1 to 2 weeks before the period.

## What it means for you

Understanding the difference helps identify which condition you have. The main limitation is that this is informational content, not research findings from a study.

1-2 weeks

when PMS typically starts before period

## About the study

Original title Period pain to menstrual irregularities: A comprehensive guide to menstrual disorders Authors Montila Shatat Journal Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) Year 2023 Study design Study What was tested None - educational information Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8238879](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8238879) Original abstract

Menstruation, often known as a period, is the normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Many women experience painful periods, often known as dysmenorrhea. Menstrual cramps, a throbbing, cramping pain in your lower abdomen, are the most common cause of pain. Other symptoms may include lower back discomfort, nausea, diarrhoea, and headaches. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is not the same as period discomfort. PMS manifests itself in a variety of ways, including weight gain, bloating, irritability, and fatigue. PMS usually begins one to two weeks before your period

Reproduced under CC-BY.

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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