---
title: How should premenstrual disorders be diagnosed and organized?
description: An international group of medical experts created a unified system for defining and classifying premenstrual disorders, which separates typical PMS from more
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/classification-of-premenstrual-disorders-as-proposed-by-the-international-2012/
---

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- How should premenstrual disorders be diagnosed and organized?

Review, 2012

# How should premenstrual disorders be diagnosed and organized?

An international group of medical experts created a unified system for defining and classifying premenstrual disorders, which separates typical PMS from more complex conditions.

 Strong study design

International expert consensus group (not a patient study)

## What they did

An international group of experts met in Montreal in 2008 to review existing ways of classifying premenstrual disorders and to create a unified system for diagnosis and research.

## What they found

They developed a classification system that divides premenstrual disorders into two main categories: typical PMS (called Core PMD) and complex conditions (Variant PMD). Within these, disorders are grouped as mostly physical symptoms, mostly emotional symptoms, or mixed. Four types of Variant PMD were identified: symptoms worsening around menstruation alongside another condition, irregular ovulation, absent menstruation, and medication-related symptoms.

## What it means for you

This system provides clearer and more consistent definitions for PMS and related conditions, helping doctors and researchers communicate better. It recognizes that some women have pure PMS while others have mixed health situations.

2

Main categories of premenstrual disorder

3

Symptom pattern groups

4

Types of complex premenstrual disorder

## About the study

Original title Classification of premenstrual disorders as proposed by the International Society for Premenstrual Disorders Authors Kadian S, O'Brien S Journal Menopause international Year 2012 Study design Review What was tested None (organizational review) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1258/mi.2012.012017](https://doi.org/10.1258/mi.2012.012017)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)

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

Review, 2012

How is PMS diagnosed and treated, especially in women approaching menopause?

Systematic review, 2025

Do drugs that stop ovulation help women with PMS?

Survey study, 2007

Is depression before a period linked to depression at menopause?

Review, 2006

How do brain hormones affect PMDD and mood problems during the menstrual cycle?

Randomised trial, 2006

Do women with a history of PMS react differently to hormone therapy after menopause?

Study, 2005

Do women with depression experience worsening of symptoms before their period?

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