Dealing wth Premenstrual Syndrome

This may sound kind of dumb, but is it more common to have PMS symptoms during your period or before? The reason I ask is because I've always had cramps during the first 2-3 days of my period. Now, I will usually get a little moody about a week before I start. I know PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome, but other than the moodiness, the rest of the symptoms happen during my period. Others I've talked to have had the same experience, so I was just wondering if these symptoms are supposed to happen before your period and if not, why in the heck did someone give it a name that means that it's supposed to happen before (did a guy give it this name)?

I have PCOS so my period is not totally regular. But I can always tell when I'll get my period because I tend to have mittelschmerz (ovulation pain) 2 weeks before my period comes.

Does anyone else suffer from this? For me, it's like a smaller form of my period - cramping, lower backache, slight nausea, lasts for about 3 days, but no blood. I am hoping we get lucky this month (hubby & I) we tried on cd11, 14 and 16 and my pains started around day 12 or 13.

Well, just thought I'd share. If anyone else has mittelschmerz (ovulation pain) feel free to comment.

I drink a gourmet healthy coffee and it has helped wonders with my PMS symptoms ...It contains ganoderma which helps with just about everything, including cramps!!

I just got DX with PMDD. I just started working with my doctor. So we could find a medication to help me out. I am trying to understand the stages of your cycle. This is all so confusing to me. Plus what is the best way to track the stages of your cycle? I could use some helpful advice?

to everyone out there my vitex extract just came in and before i took it i said a huge prayer about it because it suppose to reduce pcos and get the hormonal inbalance back in restore plus to help concieve and ovulate!!!!!! so im trying this product and im praying to the good lord above that it works.

So, last time I had a period it was 2009 I think. I recently removed my IUD in order to begin trying and I have never been so excited to have my period lol.. Things I forgot that happens during Aunt Flow are definitely coming back to me and I feel like I keep having these light bulb moments of "oh yeah.. I forgot that happens" lol. My symptoms currently are a little cramping and feeling bloated (which I took midol for).. fatigue and wanting to snack a lot. I think my biggest problem right now is fatigue though. I am so extremely exhausted and it is only 8pm.. bleh.

I told my husband that I was so excited to have Aunt Flow, but oh how miserable I felt at the moment.. he looked at me as if I spoke a different language and I had 3 heads lol.. silly boys..