--- title: What's the best way to measure premenstrual tension using mood diaries? description: Six of seven tested methods gave similar results. Methods using bipolar mood scales (with both positive and negative options) and based on known symptom patte url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/assessment-of-the-significance-and-severity-of-premenstrual-tension-ii-1989/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What's the best way to measure premenstrual tension using mood diaries? Study, 1989 # What's the best way to measure premenstrual tension using mood diaries? Six of seven tested methods gave similar results. Methods using bipolar mood scales (with both positive and negative options) and based on known symptom patterns worked best, though some complex cases showed discrepancies of 9-23%. Moderate study design 44 women with premenstrual syndrome tracking 133 menstrual cycles ## What they did Researchers had 44 women with premenstrual syndrome keep daily mood records across 133 menstrual cycles using bipolar mood scores (scales measuring both positive and negative feelings). The researchers compared 7 different methods for measuring premenstrual tension: four simple methods comparing premenstrual mood to other times in the cycle and three more complex mathematical methods. ## What they found Six of the seven methods gave similar results for detecting premenstrual tension. Methods using bipolar mood scores and based on known symptom patterns worked well. Methods using one-direction-only scores worked only when calculating differences, not ratios. Different methods disagreed on 9-23% of cycles, especially for cycles with double symptom peaks or symptoms starting early in the cycle phase. For these complex cycles, only the 5-term Fourier series method gave clear results. ## What it means for you Different ways to measure premenstrual tension can work similarly if they use the right mood scale and symptom patterns. However, some women have unusual patterns that simpler methods might miss. This study is about how to measure PMS accurately, not about what causes or treats it. The results help researchers choose the best measurement method. 44 women with premenstrual syndrome 133 menstrual cycles tracked 9-23% discrepancy between methods ## About the study Original title Assessment of the significance and severity of premenstrual tension--II. Comparison of methods Authors Metcalf MG, Livesey JH, Wells JE Journal Journal of psychosomatic research Year 1989 Study design Study Participants 44 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(89)90019-6](https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(89)90019-6) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2022 Do mental health disorders get worse during the menstrual cycle? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Review, 2025 How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety? Randomised trial, 2020 How should premenstrual syndrome be diagnosed and treated? Case report, 2013 Can severe mood changes around a period be an early sign of bipolar disorder? Survey study, 1995 What's different about women who seek treatment for premenstrual mood changes? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗