People at risk

Women with a family history of PMS (a mother or sister affected).

Risk factors

The following factors may increase the risk of suffering from PMS or make its symptoms worse.

• Smoking;
• Physical inactivity;
• Lack of sleep;
• Obesity;
• A diet too rich in caffeine and alcohol (which affect the brain’s sensitivity to stress), red meat, sugar (carbohydrates) and low in calcium.

Note that stress can worsen the symptoms of PMS.