---
title: What are the worst PMS symptoms and how much do they disrupt daily life?
description: Tension and irritability were the most severe PMS symptoms. However, the most bothersome symptoms were headache, irritability, self-deprecating thoughts, and
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/clinical-profiles-of-premenstrual-experiences-among-women-having-premenstrual-2015/
---

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- What are the worst PMS symptoms and how much do they disrupt daily life?

Cohort study, 2015

# What are the worst PMS symptoms and how much do they disrupt daily life?

Tension and irritability were the most severe PMS symptoms. However, the most bothersome symptoms were headache, irritability, self-deprecating thoughts, and depressed mood, and these had the biggest impact on work and social life.

 Moderate study design

91 women with PMS

## What they did

91 women with PMS tracked their symptoms every day for one complete menstrual cycle using a standardized symptom form.

## What they found

Tension and irritability were reported as most severe. The most burdensome symptoms were headache, irritability, self-deprecating thoughts, and depressed mood. Severity of mood symptoms correlated with social impairment. Severity of psychological symptoms correlated with occupational impairment.

## What it means for you

Mood and thinking problems have the biggest real-world impact on women's lives in PMS. The study only tracked one cycle, so longer studies might show different patterns.

91

women with PMS

1

menstrual cycle tracked

## About the study

Original title Clinical Profiles of Premenstrual Experiences Among Women Having Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Affective Changes Predominate and Relate to Social and Occupational Functioning Authors Schmelzer K, Ditzen B, Weise C et al. Journal Health care for women international Year 2015 Study design Cohort study Participants 91 What was tested None - this was a symptom tracking study, not a treatment trial Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2014.954701](https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2014.954701)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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.

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