Can girls get PMT before they've started their periods?

[FoldyRoll]

DD10 is a way off puberty yet, but every 28-30 days she gets very weepy, moody and listless like clockwork. She says nothing is wrong, and there's no obvious trigger so I wonder if it could be hormonal, but is this possible? Surely a monthly hormonal cycle would mean periods too?

Her body is going through changes and the symptoms you describe are quite normal, it doesn't mean her periods are imminent but - as with peri menopause - there is a stretch of time where the body and mind build up to it resulting in obvious changes.

I can remember being the same as her from 9-10 and my periods didn't start until I was just past thirteen.

Explain to your daughter that there's nothing wrong with her but she is beginning to be a grown up. That will reassure her. Enjoy the times when she isn't moody and weepy.

Thanks Rebecca. She has an older sister, and DH and I are very open with her about puberty etc, so she's aware of what's coming. It's more that we want to get to the bottom of what is causing these moody spells, I've noticed this pattern emerging and wondered if it's a possibility.