---
title: How should we study and understand premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: The researchers argue that current PMS research is fragmented and incomplete, and that we need better methods that listen to women's experiences and consider
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-discourse-analytic-approach-to-women-s-experience-of-premenstrual-syndrome-1995/
---

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- How should we study and understand premenstrual syndrome?

Interview study, 1995

# How should we study and understand premenstrual syndrome?

The researchers argue that current PMS research is fragmented and incomplete, and that we need better methods that listen to women's experiences and consider their identity and social situation.

 Early or limited evidence

14 women attending a PMS clinic

## What they did

Interviewed 14 women attending a PMS clinic and analyzed their accounts to understand how they experience and discuss their symptoms.

## What they found

The analysis showed that PMS is connected to how women see themselves, their female identity, and their social context. Women's experiences of PMS are inseparable from broader social and cultural factors.

## What it means for you

To better understand PMS, doctors and researchers need to listen to women's actual experiences, not just count symptoms. The main limit is this was a small qualitative study with only 14 women, so the findings cannot be generalized widely.

10-40%

Estimated proportion of women with serious PMS disruption

14

Women interviewed

## About the study

Original title A discourse analytic approach to women's experience of Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Catherine Swann Journal Journal of Mental Health Year 1995 Study design Interview study What was tested None (qualitative study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/09638239550037415](https://doi.org/10.1080/09638239550037415)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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Systematic review, 2012

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Randomised trial, 2006

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