Signs Of Period Coming Soon: 13 Menstrual Symptoms Before Period Starts

Signs of period coming soon and pregnancy may seem alike. However, they are different.

Period, which is the cyclical bleeding from the vagina, has some signs before it starts. According to Mayo Clinic, about 75 percent of women will have had some menstrual period (premenstrual) symptoms in their lifetime. Doctors call this premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

In some women, these symptoms may be severe, affecting daily activities and sometimes needing medical or hospital care, especially if pain or mood changes are very bad.

This article explains the 13 common period signs that predict your next period.

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What are the symptoms and signs of period coming soon?

If you are expecting your period, these are some of the signs you may experience.

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1. Abdominal cramps

Abdomen cramps, which is experienced by a lot of women before their period starts, is a sign your period is coming soon. Most women will experience cramps 2–3 days before their period starts. Mayo Clinic

However, these cramps may continue into your period and get less severe as your period ends.

Though abdominal pain before menstruation may indicate your period will start soon, there are other causes of pre-period cramps. Pregnancy, ovulation, endometriosis and vaginal or pelvic infections may mimic period-like cramps.

How to know if your period is coming or you’re pregnant?

If you’ve never had vaginal sex, pregnancy is not the cause, and it’s likely your period is coming if you experience cramps days before period.

If you’ve had unprotected sex or your contraception failed in the last few weeks, pregnancy is possible. Early pregnancy cramps are usually mild, and some women notice them around the time of implantation, but many pregnant women do not feel any cramps at all. Cramps in early pregnancy can also sometimes be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

You cannot rely on symptoms alone to confirm pregnancy. The best way is to use a home pregnancy test and, if positive, follow up with your doctor. Early pregnancy symptoms include fatigue, body weakness, feeling like vomiting, breast changes and light bleeding before your period. Mayo Clinic+1

Bonus Tip: You may be pregnant without knowing. Watch this 1-Minute-Video to Discover 16 Most common Pregnancy Signs.

How to know if your period is coming or you’re ovulating?

Don’t think you are different. Some women may experience abdominal pain while ovulating. This usually occurs about 2 weeks before period.

Then again, stress or hormone imbalance can delay ovulation and make it happen later than expected. When ovulation occurs later in your cycle, you may also have abdominal cramps around the time you are expecting your period or shortly before it.

Is it period or a vaginal infection?

If you persistently have low abdomen pain between periods, it may be due to vaginal infections, endometriosis or other pelvic problems. You should see your doctor if pain is new, severe, or keeps coming back.

Read more: 7 Causes of cramps before period

How can I ease cramps before my period?

• Have regular exercise

• Reduce the amount of sugar intake

• Take pain relief medications like ibuprofen or paracetamol to help with your cramps (if safe for you and not against your doctor’s advice)

• Use a warm water bottle or warm towel on your lower abdomen

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2. Change of mood

Are you experiencing a change in your behavior before your period? Do you feel you’re getting very emotional before your period?

Having increased emotions before period is a sign your period is coming soon. Mood changes that occur after ovulation is a sign your period will start soon. ACOG+1

If you are persistently having mood changes throughout your menstrual cycle, then it may be due to other causes. You should inform your doctor, especially if you feel very low, hopeless, or have thoughts of harming yourself.

Other causes of mood changes are

• Drug or alcohol abuse

• Hormone imbalance

• Depression

• Epilepsy

In some women, mood and behavior changes are very severe and are called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). You can read more from the Cleveland Clinic.

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3. Acne on face

Do you notice increased acne breakout before periods? During the menstrual cycle and at puberty, hormone changes cause women to start having acne. Mayo Clinic+1

Acne occurs due to increased androgen in your body. These androgens will cause follicular glands to grow more with more sebum production.

If you experience acne before your period, your period may be starting in a few days.

What to do?

Acne can be embarrassing sometimes for women. However, these are some simple steps to get rid of acne.

• Don’t let your face stay oily. Clean and wash your face at least twice a day

• Use proven products to help remove your acne

• If it gets serious, you can let your doctor (or dermatologist) know about your symptoms

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4. Breast pain and swelling

Do you experience increased pain in your breast before your period starts? Do you notice your breasts are slightly larger before your period?

Before period, some women may experience breast pain and swelling. This is a sign of period coming soon. Some women may have a lump in their breast that disappears after period starts.

Changes in the breast before your period is due to the effect of hormones. Hormones — Estrogen and progesterone — will cause your ducts to enlarge and your glands to swell. Mayo Clinic+1

In women with a 28-day menstrual cycle, breast tenderness usually occurs a few days before period (or roughly 1 week after ovulation).

What to do?

• Drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen can ease your breast pain if you can safely use these medicines

• Wearing a soft, well-fitting bra may help

• If your breast pain is persistent, new for you, or you feel a lump that does not go away after your period, you should talk to your doctor

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5. Abdominal bloating, gas and pain

Do you feel your abdomen is swelling up just before period?

Abdomen bloating is swelling and tightening experienced by women which could occur for many reasons. If you are expecting your period, a hard, distended and tight abdomen may indicate your period will start soon.

Other causes of bloating are pregnancy, anorexia nervosa (severe weight loss), ovarian cyst and hormone imbalance.

What to do?

• Have regular exercise

• Reduce salt intake as this may worsen your fluid retention

• Reduce sugar intake

• Take more fiber diet like vegetables and fruits

• Drink plenty of water every day

• Avoid meals that contain beans and cabbage if they worsen your gas

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6. Headache

Are you having a headache days before your period starts?

Headache before menstrual period occurs due to drop in your body’s estrogen level and may be severe sometimes. It usually occurs 1–3 days before your next period. Mayo Clinic+1

However, headache may indicate many other problems. If you are having headache throughout your menstrual cycle, then it is not a specific period symptom. You should inform your doctor to determine the cause.

What can I do to ease my headache?

• Painkillers like ibuprofen, paracetamol or (if prescribed) diclofenac could help reduce menstrual cramps and headache

• In some women, hormonal treatments (such as combined hormonal contraceptive pills or other estrogen-containing medicines) prescribed by a doctor may help

• Track your headaches in a diary so you can show your doctor if needed

• Notify your doctor if it gets worse, is very sudden and severe, or is associated with weakness, confusion or vision problems

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7. Sleepless nights before period

Are you experiencing sleepless night (insomnia) before your period starts? Then your period may just be close by.

Sleepless night 1–3 days before your expected period is a sign of period coming. Insomnia occurs due to reduced estrogen and progesterone hormones before period and general PMS changes. Mayo Clinic+1

What to do?

• Reduce stress

• Exercise regularly (earlier in the day, not just before bedtime)

• Chart your sleeping patterns

• Keep caffeine lower in the afternoon and evening

• Inform your doctor about your symptoms if they are persistent or affect your daily life

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Other symptoms of period coming are

8. Fatigue

9. Food cravings

10. Hot flashes or feeling unusually warm

11. Poor concentration before period

12. Confusion or “brain fog”

13. Back pain before period ACOG+1

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FAQs about menstrual period symptoms and signs

These are some commonly asked questions that may concern you.

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1. What are signs of period coming discharge?

Vaginal discharge before period is usually thick white discharge.

During your menstrual cycle, your vaginal discharge may change from time to time. At the beginning of your cycle, after menstruation ends, vaginal discharge is thick white. Some women may experience vaginal dryness just after period ends.

At the middle of your cycle or just before ovulation occurs, vaginal discharge becomes stretchy and egg white. After ovulation occurs and before your period, vaginal discharge is often thicker, white or creamy again.

Changes in vaginal discharge are due to hormone changes during menstrual cycles. Thick white discharge can be a sign your period is coming and is usually normal if it is not itchy, not foul-smelling and not associated with pain. nhs.uk+1

If you notice green, yellow, very smelly discharge or itching, please see your doctor to rule out infection.

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2. What are the signs your period is coming tomorrow (next day)?

• Headache

• Sleepless night

• Pelvic pain or cramps

• Acne

• Changes in appetite

• Mood change

• Confusion and lack of concentration

• Abdominal bloating

• Breast pain

• Breast swelling

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3. Signs of period coming but no period

If you experience signs of period coming but no period, then it may be due to pregnancy.

Pregnancy may cause you to have signs of period — headache, breast tenderness and cramps — but no period coming. If pregnant, you may experience brown spotting before period or sometimes an unusual early light period.

Are you getting tired easily? Do you feel like vomiting? Are you craving for a specific kind of diet? Then it’s possible you may be pregnant. A home pregnancy test and follow-up with your doctor is the best way to confirm. Mayo Clinic+1

Other causes of signs of period coming but no period are stress, significant weight loss or gain, contraceptive pills, obesity, ovarian cyst and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS), thyroid problems and sometimes early menopause.

If your period has been absent for more than 3 months (and you are not pregnant), you should see your doctor.

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4. What causes menstrual period to come out?

Period occurs due to cyclical change of your hormones during your menstrual cycle.

What is the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is the number of days between 2 periods. For example, if your last menstrual period started on the 27th of April and your next period starts on the 26th of May, then you have a 30-day menstrual cycle.

Some women may have an erratic menstrual cycle, short menstrual cycle or long menstrual cycle.

What causes period to come out?

At birth and during puberty, the ovaries contain a fixed number of follicles that can be released in each cycle. Weeks before you are born, your body stops producing new follicles that develop to release an egg.

It is estimated that throughout the lifetime of women, about 500 eggs are released from the ovaries. This release of the egg is called ovulation.

Before ovulation occurs, your body increases the secretion of estrogen. This hormone works to help grow the endometrium covering the inner part of the uterus.

If you get pregnant, you will have no period because the endometrium helps provide nutrition for your baby.

However, if you’re not pregnant, the endometrium breaks down and comes out from your vagina as period. nhs.uk+1

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Now it’s your turn. Do you have a headache or pains before your period starts? Are your menstrual period symptoms affecting your daily activities? Talk with your doctor if your symptoms are very painful, affect work or school, or cause severe mood changes — help is available.