“I think it’s really helpful to keep a menstrual diary and it’s one of the first things that I get young women to do,” says Cannon. She tells Stylist that it’s important to do this as early in life as possible. Tracking things like your temperature and the foods that might make you bloated can help you to better understand your health and therefore recognise deviations from “your normal” that PMS might be causing.

Dr Welsh also recommends tracking your cycle but she says the best thing you can do to change how PMS affects you is to ensure you’re leading a healthy lifestyle.

Antidepressants are sometimes used to manage the symptoms for people with severe PMS and hormonal contraceptives are also a recommended treatment for PMS. Dr Welsh says that some people with PMS and PMDD take the pill continuously to avoid fluctuations in hormones.

Alternative therapies for PMS include evening primrose oil, vitamin B6 and chasteberry among others.

But there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to treating PMS and this is important to Cannon’s treatment. She is keen to avoid encouraging obsessive behaviours because the psychological element of PMS can be a significant part of the syndrome, but she has had success with using diets like FODMAP for some people.

Ultimately, PMS is very personal which is why both Dr Welsh and Emma Cannon recommend tracking your cycle, so you can try to understand why your PMS might be significantly worse one month and manageable the next. Lifestyle, diet, digestion and mind are the four areas Cannon encourages women to focus on. Making changes to one or more of these areas, depending on your cycle, might allow you to delay or reduce your PMS symptoms.

If PMS is interfering with your day-to-day life, then you should contact your GP. You should also consult a professional before making any significant changes to your diet and/or lifestyle.

Images: Getty

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): the symptoms and what you can do about them