Australian prospective symptom diary
PMS and PMDD Symptoms Tracker: Two-Cycle Diary
Record every symptom and functional-impact rating deliberately across two cycles, including ordinary and symptom-free days, then compare transparent timing windows without diagnosing PMDD.
Timing and function, not symptom count alone
Build two complete prospective windows without converting blanks into well days
The diary records mood, anxiety, irritability, thinking, sleep, energy, appetite, physical symptoms and four areas of daily function. It compares the actual premenstrual and early-bleeding averages only after adequate coverage in both cycles.
Prospective two-cycle diary
Track PMS and PMDD timing without diagnosing yourself
Record mood, physical symptoms, bleeding and functional impact every day. The summary compares premenstrual and postmenstrual windows across two cycles and keeps ordinary days visible.
Private: nothing saves automatically. Local device storage is used only after you select save. Exports may contain sensitive mental-health information.
Prospective whole-month tracking
The timing pattern matters as much as symptom severity
PMS and PMDD assessment relies on symptoms recorded day by day, not recalled only after a difficult week. This diary records mood, thinking, physical symptoms, bleeding and functional impact across at least two cycles. It describes the observed timing without assigning a diagnosis.
Choose every rating deliberately
No symptom or impact score is preselected. Choose zero only when the item was genuinely absent that day. This prevents blank forms from being converted into false symptom-free records. After a day is saved, every rating clears for the next entry.
Record ordinary days and difficult days
Prospective tracking needs enough days before bleeding, during early bleeding and elsewhere in each window to show whether symptoms concentrate in the premenstrual phase and ease afterwards. The comparison requires at least 18 deliberate daily entries in each window, including five of the seven days before bleeding, three early-bleeding days and five days elsewhere. Missing days are reported as missing rather than assumed to be well days.
Keep function visible
PMDD involves clinically important distress or interference, not symptom count alone. The diary separately records work or study, home and caring roles, social life and relationships, and self-care or appointments.
Describe, do not diagnose
When comparison coverage is reached, the result reports the actual average symptom and impact ratings before and after bleeding and whether the direction of change repeats. It does not use an undisclosed diagnostic cut-off or describe a small numerical difference as proof of PMDD. It also states when symptoms continue after bleeding begins or across the wider month. The tool does not decide whether symptoms are caused by PMDD, PMS, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, perimenopause or premenstrual worsening of another condition.
Safety overrides every cycle pattern
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, inability to stay safe, immediate danger or concern about harming another person requires immediate support. Do not wait for enough diary entries or for the result screen.
How to interpret the descriptive result
Higher before bleeding in both cycles
This means the recorded averages moved in the same direction in both sufficiently covered windows. The size of each difference remains visible. It is not by itself a PMDD diagnosis and does not replace assessment of symptom number, distress, impairment and other conditions.
Symptoms continue after bleeding
Persistent symptoms may indicate another condition or premenstrual worsening of an existing condition. The diary keeps that possibility open.
Cycles differ
Different timing between cycles can reflect genuine variation or incomplete coverage. Continue prospective recording and take the existing data to the appointment.
Coverage is incomplete
The summary states exactly which cycle lacks enough entries. It never treats missing days as symptom-free or creates a reassuring result from insufficient data.
Choose the right next tool
Continue with the question you actually need answered
Australian next steps
Use the diary to support a complete assessment
Related guide
PMS symptoms and timing
Understand the broader clinical distinction between cyclical symptoms and symptoms present throughout the month.
Open resourceAppointment preparation
Prepare the questions and history
Bring the prospective diary, medicine changes and mental-health history to the treating clinician.
Open resourceUseful questions
Frequently Asked Questions about PMS and PMDD Symptom Tracking in Australia
Why does the diary cover at least two cycles?
A repeating relationship between symptoms and the menstrual cycle is central to assessment. Australian women’s-health guidance recommends prospective recording across at least two cycles.
Should I record days when I feel well?
Yes. Deliberately rated symptom-free and ordinary days show whether symptoms ease outside the premenstrual window. Blank days are not treated as well days.
Can this diary diagnose PMDD?
No. PMDD diagnosis requires clinical assessment of timing, symptom domains, distress, functional impairment and alternative explanations. The diary provides prospective evidence for that discussion.
What if symptoms happen throughout the month?
Record them. Symptoms outside the premenstrual window may indicate another condition or premenstrual worsening of an existing condition and should not be forced into a PMDD result.
Should medicine, sleep and major stress be recorded?
Yes. Record hormonal treatment, psychiatric medicines, dose changes, illness, sleep disruption, alcohol, major stress and significant life events that may help explain a change.
What should I do if I have thoughts of self-harm or feel unsafe?
Do not wait for diary analysis. Call triple zero for immediate danger. Lifeline is available 24 hours on 13 11 14, by text on 0477 13 11 14 and through online crisis chat.
Clinically reviewed
Evan Kurzyp, Registered Nurse
Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Mental Health Nursing
AHPRA registration NMW0002424871
Reviewed: 4 August 2026. Next scheduled review: August 2027, or earlier if Australian guidance, product instructions, laboratory standards or safety advice change.
Methods, limitations and references
The diary is educational and does not diagnose PMDD or replace mental-health or medical assessment.