3. Lack of Concentration
Another symptom caused by the decrease in estrogen levels and general hormonal imbalance in the week before menstruation is a type of PMS brain fog. Low estrogen affects the production of serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter that works to regulate mood, appetite, and concentration. The lack of concentration comes with difficulty remembering things and an aspect of clumsiness during this time.
This disturbance of the ability to focus is also said to be affected by some of the other PMS symptoms. A study done in 2014 in the UK, conducted by Dr. Ed Keogh, tested how 52 women who were menstruating performed tasks that required concentration. The test showed that the women who were experiencing symptoms of pain and discomfort struggled more with the tasks and with concentration. Insomnia during PMS (which is the next point on the list), also negatively affects women’s ability to focus and complete tasks efficiently.