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.
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
Topics
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?