Survey study, 2013
What are the clinical subtypes of premenstrual disorders?
Experts classify PMS into three types: predominantly physical, predominantly psychological, and mixed. Some women with the psychological or mixed types also meet criteria for PMDD.
What they did
Experts held multiple rounds of voting and discussion to classify types of premenstrual disorders.
What they found
Three clinical subtypes were identified: predominantly physical (most symptoms are body-related), predominantly psychological (most symptoms are mood-related), and mixed (both types). Some women with psychological or mixed subtypes also meet the diagnostic criteria for PMDD.
What it means for you
Doctors now have a framework to categorize different types of PMS symptoms. However, this classification is based on expert consensus rather than testing it with actual patients. The main limitation is lack of validation in patient populations.
3
Clinical subtypes identified
12
Potential subtypes initially considered
4
Subtypes meeting threshold after round 2
About the study
- Original title
- Clinical subtypes of core premenstrual disorders: a Delphi survey
- Authors
- Ismail KM, Nevatte T, O'Brien S et al.
- Journal
- Archives of women's mental health
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None; classification system development
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0326-7
Topics
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