10 Clear Signs Your Period Is Coming Tomorrow: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Are you feeling bloated or moody, or craving chocolate? This might indicate your periods are within reach. Recognizing the signs that your period is coming tomorrow can help you stay mentally and physically alert and avoid sudden surprises. This blog lists the key symptoms to look for. 

10 Clear Signs Your Period is Coming Tomorrow

Experiencing physical and emotional symptoms a few days or weeks before your period is called premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Here are the symptoms that mean your period is coming soon:

1. Lower Back Pain

• Occurs due to the fluctuations in hormones like prostaglandins, which trigger uterine contractions, causing pain in the lower back. 

• This pain can persist throughout your period or may go away as soon as your period arrives.

Also read: 11 Exercises That Can Help Relieve Lower Back Pain

2. Abdominal Cramps

• The uterus contracts to get rid of its lining in the form of blood, which results in abdominal cramps.

• Usually, the cramps start 1 or 2 days before menstruation or periods and may last during the periods for a few days.

3. Bloating

• Hormonal changes, like a spike in estrogen and a decrease in progesterone levels, can make the body retain excessive water and salt, leading to bloating in the abdomen.

• The bloating basically occurs in 1 or 2 weeks before your period and reduces immediately after the period starts. 

4. Diarrhea

• Prostaglandins released in the uterus before periods cause the bowels to contract, which contributes to diarrhea. 

• On the morning of your period, you may have loose and watery stools.

5. Tender Breasts

• One of the physical signs your period is close, which occurs due to a rise in estrogen and a fall in progesterone levels. The breasts feel swollen, sore, or sensitive to touch.

• You usually experience it 1 or 2 weeks before the period, and it subsides once the period begins. 

6. Mood Swings

• Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels as menstruation approaches affect serotonin, a neurotransmitter that impacts mood. This leads to irritability, sadness, feeling overwhelmed, or anxiety, which are the common emotional PMS symptoms.

• Mood swings often start a few days before periods and resolve after a few days of your period.

7. Fatigue

• Shifts in hormones like progesterone and estrogen before the periods can affect sleep quality and energy levels, which leads to fatigue or tiredness.

• Moreover, other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as cramps, mood swings, and bloating, can also lead to overall tiredness. 

8. Headaches or Migraines

• The drop in estrogen levels before menstruation makes the brain more prone to pain, as estrogens are responsible for controlling pain pathways. This leads to headaches or migraines.

• Headaches or migraines can occur days before the period, during the period, or sometimes instantly after the period. Research shows that over 50% of women experience migraine during menstruation.
  

9. Acne Breakouts

• Increased progesterone levels before menstruation can trigger the sebaceous glands to release excessive sebum, which clogs pores. This creates a favorable environment for the bacteria to thrive and cause acne.

• You may notice acne a few days before your period, especially painful cysts around the jawline and chin. 

Also Read: The Connection Between Your Period & Acne

10.  Appetite Changes

• A rise in progesterone levels one week before the period can lead to increased appetite.

• In addition, a drop in serotonin (a mood-controlling hormone) due to progesterone can contribute to cravings for sweet or salty foods. 

When to See a Doctor?

• If you experience severe PMS symptoms that affect your daily activities and are unmanageable with OTC medicines and lifestyle changes, consult a gynecologist.

• Moreover, if you have no period on your expected date, see a doctor to know about the potential causes. The reason can be pregnancy or other health issues, which doctors can determine by conducting a pregnancy test and other tests. 

Signs of Period vs. Signs of Pregnancy

Sometimes, early pregnancy signs can be mistaken for period signs as both conditions share some similar symptoms due to overlapping hormones. Those symptoms include fatigue, tender breasts, mood swings, and back pain. So, it is crucial to understand the difference in the signs of period and pregnancy. Here's how you can tell:

Important Note: The reliable method to confirm your pregnancy is a home pregnancy test or consulting a gynecologist. 

Other Reasons for Period Symptoms but not Actually Period

If you have period-like symptoms but no period on the expected date, the following can be the potential culprit:

• Side effects of birth control pills

• Irregular periods

• Psychological stress

• Other underlying issues, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disease, or certain nutritional deficiencies

Signs that Your Period is Coming Late

It is easy to recognize the signs of the late period, especially when your period used to come on time. The signs of the late period may include:

• Fatigue

• Breast Pain

• Headache

• Spotting

• Nausea

• Frequent urination

As the body of every woman is unique, the signs can also differ slightly. So, speak to your doctor for a proper diagnosis. 

Does Everyone Get Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?

No, not every woman gets PMS (premenstrual syndrome) similarly. The PMS can vary based on the types and severity of the symptoms. Some women may experience no or only mild symptoms, while others have severe symptoms (affecting 5% of females) that interfere with their daily activities.

According to the Office on Women's Health, premenstrual syndrome might occur more often in females who have:

• increased stress levels

• a family history of depression

• a personal history of postpartum depression or depression

How Long Do PMS Symptoms Last?

PMS symptoms usually start 1-2 weeks before the period and subside within some days of the period. For most women, the symptoms resolve completely in 4 days after the period starts. Here's the detailed breakdown:

• Onset: Typically starts after ovulation, which is nearly 14 or more days post the initial day of the last period.

• Duration: The PMS symptoms can last for days to 2 weeks.

• Peak Severity: Symptoms often become worse immediately before the start of the period.

• Persistence: For most women, the symptoms subside within 4 days of their period. 

Why Should You Track Your Period?

There are lots of reasons to track your period. We have listed a few here,

Better understanding of the menstrual cycle:

• Help track the average length of the menstrual cycle, which assists in identifying whether your periods are regular or irregular.

Managing the health issues:

• Early detection of irregularities in the menstrual cycle can help rule out underlying health issues such as PCOS and thyroid disease.

Planning for Life Events:

• Knowing when the period is arriving can help plan special life events, vacations, or other occasions where you may need to avoid periods. Also, it helps find the fertile window to plan for conception or avoid pregnancy. 

Several period tracking applications, such as My Tracker, Clover, and Clue period, are available online and must be downloaded onto your smartphone.

• All you need to do is enter the date your period arrives each month.

• The application will calculate the average days of your cycle (28 or 29, or 30, or more in case your period is irregular), your fertility window, and the ovulation day.

Managing Period Symptoms

PMS can bring symptoms that can make the next few days challenging for some women. Considering these tips can help manage those symptoms:

• Note down the symptoms in a diary: Tracking the symptoms through a diary can help predict when your period is arriving, making you better prepared.

• Maintain good hygiene: Wash hands before wearing a sanitary pad to prevent the risk of infection.

• Pamper yourself: Take a warm bath or read a book to pamper yourself, which can help manage irritability and mood swings.

• Stay hydrated: Drink a lot of water to relieve PMS symptoms, like bloating and headaches.

• Consume a healthy diet: Eat nutritious foods to manage your cravings and ensure your body gets the essential nutrients at the same time.

• Take proper rest: Getting adequate rest during periods can alleviate mood swings and fatigue.

• Practice light exercises: Engaging in such physical activities can relieve back pain and bloating, improving mood.

• Consider over-the-counter pain relief methods: Take pain relievers like ibuprofen to relieve abdominal cramps, back pain, and headaches. Apply a heating pad to the belly area to relax abdominal muscles, which helps reduce cramps.

Note: If symptoms are severe or unmanageable with OTC medicines and lifestyle, see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Final Thoughts

Understanding the signs that your period is coming tomorrow can help you prepare physically and mentally. Tender breasts, lower back pain, headaches, bloating, abdominal cramps, etc., are crucial symptoms of PMS. If any symptoms become severe, seek medical help. Moreover, if you are planning to conceive, use a tracking application that keeps you up to date with your upcoming period and your ovulation window. 

So, irrespective of the method you choose to track your period, ensure you keep yourself healthy, eat well, and find a way to keep your mood swings at bay.