Premenstrual syndrome, more commonly known as PMS, is as real as straight men wearing skinny jeans ”” you don’t want to admit that it’s a real thing that happens, but it is.

In the 2009 film “Jennifer’s Body,” Megan Fox’s character states that PMS isn’t real, and “it was invented by the boy-run media to make us seem like we’re crazy.” Fox’s character is right about one thing; PMS does make women seem crazy.

PMS was first considered as a delusion before two groundbreaking cases in early 1980s changed the world of PMS forever.

According to Nadine Brozan in a 1982 New York Times article, “Premenstrual Syndrome: A Complex Issue,” two women in two separate murder cases were found by the English courts to be suffering from the symptoms of PMS after one killed her love-affair partner, and the other stabbed a fellow barmaid to death. PMS was considered as a legitimate excuse in determining the two women’s sanity at the time of their crimes, and in considering their punishments.

The week before a woman’s period arrives emotions run wild and tempers are on-edge. Although films like “The Notebook” and “P.S. I Love You” will make a newborn baby cry, not just out-of-whack hormonal women. Tears produced from a depressing romantic film switch into tears of joy once the credits roll down the TV screen. I think being emotional is a symptom of PMS because it helps relieve stress, and let’s face it ”” being a women and having a period can be stressful.

According to WebMD, women often feel bloated as a result of PMS, and the fact that an increased appetite is a symptom doesn’t help the equation. Women often ask their significant other, “Do I look fat in this?” As the woman slips into a slinky little black dress or tight pants, the significant other disagrees with the “I’m fat” statement. Oh, but the significant other isn’t off the hook just yet. Mood swings burst in next like a cold breeze through a drafty window. Whether the significant other is lying to just get the woman out the door, or they’re telling the truth, the answer isn’t good enough.

WebMD also states depression as another symptom. Women feeling depressed goes hand-in-hand with being emotional and moody. PMS symptoms come along with the territory of having a girlfriend or wife. I’ve heard several men question women about if it’s “that time of the month,” and I’ve also heard situations where men state that PMS isn’t real. Note to men: You’re going to make your girlfriend, wife or friend more depressed and emotional if you tell them their outrageous attitude at the moment isn’t real.

Obviously, I believe in PMS and the symptoms that are exhibited during the week before a women’s period. A Java Chip Frappuccino from Starbucks and a bubble bath seem to assist with putting the symptoms on pause for an hour or two, but having my significant other understand what I’m going through will help me more.

If you’re a man and have a beloved woman as a significant other, treat her with extra care during the week before her time of the month ”” she will thank you later.