Survey study, 2010
How should doctors diagnose PMS and PMDD?
Doctors should use symptom diaries and other proven diagnostic tools to distinguish PMS and PMDD from other conditions, though many overlapping symptoms make diagnosis challenging.
What they did
Reviewed published articles and medical texts to gather information about diagnostic criteria, symptom diaries, and diagnostic tools for PMS and PMDD, and discussed challenges in diagnosis.
What they found
Symptom diaries and other diagnostic tools help doctors distinguish PMS and PMDD from other conditions. Many different nonspecific symptoms occur in both PMS and PMDD, making diagnosis complicated. Underdiagnosis is common because many doctors lack training in the diagnostic process.
What it means for you
Women should clearly report bothersome premenstrual symptoms. Doctors need more training to recognize and diagnose these conditions. Using proper diagnostic tools makes diagnosis more accurate. Main limitation: this is a review of existing knowledge, not new research.
About the study
- Original title
- Advances in the diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Futterman LA
- Journal
- Expert opinion on medical diagnostics
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None (literature review)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1517/17530050903431418
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2026
What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?
Study, 2026
How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?
Systematic review, 2026
Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?
Case-control study, 2026
Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle?
Systematic review, 2025
Do people with PMDD and severe PMS have difficulties with emotion regulation?
Cohort study, 2025
Do women with a history of PMS or PMDD have more depression during pregnancy and after birth?