PMS symptom diary: what to track for your doctor
A PMS symptom diary is a daily record, kept for at least two cycles, of how strongly you feel each premenstrual symptom, rated from 1 (not at all) to 6 (extreme), next to your period dates. Doctors use it to check whether symptoms really cluster before your period and lift after it starts. That timing is what separates PMS and PMDD from other causes.
Why doctors ask for a diary
PMS and PMDD are diagnosed by pattern, not by a blood test. Memory is a poor witness: looking back, bad weeks blur together and good ones vanish. That's why NHS guidance suggests keeping a symptom diary for at least two cycles before seeing a GP, and why a confirmed PMDD diagnosis needs daily ratings over at least two cycles.
The format most clinicians recognize is based on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP), a validated daily chart. You don't need the official form to get the benefit: the structure below follows the same idea.
What to rate each day
Once a day, ideally in the evening, rate each item from 1 (not at all) to 6 (extreme). Mark your bleeding days at the top of the page.
| Group | Items to rate |
|---|---|
| Mood | Depressed or hopeless; anxious or on edge; mood swings or tearful; irritable or angry; sensitive to rejection |
| Mind and behavior | Less interest in usual activities; trouble concentrating; tired or low energy; overeating or cravings; sleeping more or less; feeling overwhelmed or out of control |
| Body | Breast tenderness or swelling; bloating or weight gain; headache; joint or muscle pain |
| Impact | Affected work or study; affected hobbies or social life; affected relationships |
A number per item takes a minute. Add a short note only for big events (illness, a bad night, a deadline) so you and your doctor can separate cycle effects from life.
How to read your chart
- Line up the cycles by cycle day, with day 1 as the first day of your period.
- Compare two windows: the 7 days before your period and days 4 to 10 of your cycle (after your period).
- Look for a clear difference. In PMS or PMDD, scores are noticeably higher before your period and drop back within a few days of bleeding.
- Check the impact rows. If symptoms affect work, relationships or daily life, that matters for treatment.
- Note anything that's high all month. That points to something other than, or as well as, PMS.
Want a quick first read before committing to two cycles? Try the PMS self-check or the PMDD self-check. For the mood side only, the mood tracker printable is lighter.
Bringing it to your appointment
- Bring two or three cycles of the diary plus your period dates.
- Say which symptoms bother you most and how they affect your life.
- Mention any medicines, contraception and other conditions, such as depression or anxiety, that might be worse premenstrually.
- Ask about options: lifestyle steps, calcium, CBT, hormonal treatments and SSRIs all have evidence for PMS or PMDD.
Lulu's one-tap mood check-ins and bunny symptom logs build this day-by-day record as you go, and you can export a doctor-ready PMS chart as a CSV file to share at your appointment.
When to see a doctor
Don't wait for two cycles of data if symptoms are severe. See a doctor if premenstrual symptoms disrupt work, relationships or daily life, or if self-help hasn't helped. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, call your local emergency number now, or in the US call or text 988. In the UK, Samaritans are on 116 123.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I keep a PMS diary?
At least two full cycles; three is better. Daily ratings over two cycles are needed to confirm PMDD.
What is a DRSP chart?
The Daily Record of Severity of Problems, a validated daily rating form for premenstrual symptoms used in research and clinics.
What should a PMS chart include?
Your period days, a daily 1 to 6 rating for each mood and body symptom, and how much symptoms affected your life.
Can I use an app instead of paper?
Yes, as long as it records daily ratings against cycle days and lets you share them. Doctors care about the data, not the format.
Sources
- Endicott J et al. Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP): reliability and validity. Arch Womens Ment Health (2006)
- NHS: PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
- ACOG: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) FAQ
This page is for information only and isn鈥檛 medical advice. If something worries you, please talk to a doctor.
Keep reading
PMS test: do my symptoms follow my cycle?Free PMS test: rate 11 common premenstrual symptoms and see whether yours look like mild PMS, typical PMS or something worth raising with a doctor.
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What is PMS?What is PMS? Premenstrual syndrome is the mix of mood and body symptoms in the days before your period. What causes it, how common it is, and what helps.