Everything You Need to Know About Post-Menstrual Syndrome
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Reviewed by
Morgane Leten - Nutrition & Fertility Expert Coach

Yes, you read that right. This blog is about all the complaints you can experience after your period. You've probably heard of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). We talk about it often here at Guud Woman (like in this blog about how to deal with PMS , or this one , where our Guud Expert and midwife Uwe shares her PMS experiences). But in this blog, we're going to talk about that period after your period. Let's go.
What is Postmenstrual Syndrome?
Postmenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a collection of symptoms that occur after your period. There are many stories of women experiencing PMS (similar to post-birth control syndrome (PBCS)) , but unfortunately, there's little research on it.
It's not (yet) considered a genuine medical condition. Many women are therefore left in the dark when it comes to these kinds of complaints, because they often don't even know that postmenstrual syndrome exists!
But don't worry, we're going to shed some light on this topic.
What are the symptoms of Post-Menstrual Syndrome? A comprehensive list of symptoms
Symptoms vary and can be both physical and mental. You may experience:
Physical symptoms such as
- Headache
- General pain (in your joints, back or during sex)
- Vaginal dryness, itching or burning sensation
Mental symptoms such as
- Fears, worries
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Crying more easily or more often
- Difficulty concentrating
Most women experience these symptoms for a few days after their period, but for some, they can last up to two weeks.
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What causes Postmenstrual Syndrome?
In a word: hormones.
If we look at it scientifically, PMS is caused by lower progesterone levels, while Post-Menstrual Syndrome likely occurs when you have too much estrogen and androgens.
There's been more research on PMS. Doctors are increasingly aware of the symptoms and possible treatments. Many are quick to prescribe the pill, but we recommend making small lifestyle changes first, supplementing these with supplements. You can read more about this in our blog post, " Say Goodbye to PMS ."
But as we just mentioned, there's still very little known about postmenstrual syndrome. There are theories about the causes of the physical and mental symptoms, but many have already been disproven.
What we do know is that hormonal fluctuations due to certain conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can worsen the symptoms of Post-Menstrual Syndrome.
Isn't Postmenstrual Syndrome Just Ovulation Pain?
No, they are two different things and they also occur during different phases of your cycle.
Ovulation pain is usually the cramps you feel during ovulation. You'll feel these during ovulation, roughly in the middle of your cycle.
During ovulation, women may sometimes experience light vaginal bleeding or discharge. These symptoms are usually not severe, but some women can experience significant discomfort, while others often don't even feel like they're ovulating.
Ovulation pain can feel similar to cramps just before your period, but the difference with postmenstrual syndrome is the timing. Ovulation pain occurs about two weeks before your period.
What can you do about ovulation pain and postmenstrual syndrome?
You can treat symptoms of ovulation pain and postmenstrual syndrome in much the same way as those of PMS. Here are a few tips:
- Take extra vitamins and minerals. Choose supplements that contain high-quality ingredients linked to health claims. Think of vitamin B6 , which supports hormonal activity, magnesium, which helps reduce fatigue, and EPA and DHA in omega-3s for maintaining normal brain function.
- Reduce stress where possible. Try meditating, getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night, and exercising regularly.
- Pay attention to your diet . Choose nutritious dishes with plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats (omega-3). Avoid too much salt, caffeine, and alcohol.
- Track your cycle and keep track of your symptoms . Write down how your body and mind feel throughout the month so you can recognize patterns.
So actually, as a woman, I suffer from something all month long?
No, absolutely not. We can imagine it: you go from pre-menstrual pain to period pain to post-menstrual pain to ovulation pain.
But the symptoms we've talked about in this blog are often very minor and for many women not even noticeable at all.
If you do suffer from them, they can often be alleviated with small changes to your lifestyle, and by ensuring your body gets the right vitamins and minerals every month.
Still have questions? Chat with us. We have a support team of experts who can help you. Remember that cycle-related symptoms are common, but not normal, and you don't have to live with constant pain. And have you tried our product finder yet? It's a handy way to check your symptoms and see which solutions might work for you.