--- title: Is there a reliable way to track and diagnose PMS using a daily symptom diary? description: Yes. A simple daily symptom calendar was very accurate at telling women with PMS apart from women without it, when used for two cycles in a row. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/diagnosis-of-premenstrual-syndrome-by-a-simple-prospective-and-reliable-1990/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is there a reliable way to track and diagnose PMS using a daily symptom diary? Cohort study, 1990 # Is there a reliable way to track and diagnose PMS using a daily symptom diary? Yes. A simple daily symptom calendar was very accurate at telling women with PMS apart from women without it, when used for two cycles in a row. Early or limited evidence 36 women rigidly screened for PMS and 18 women without PMS ## What they did Researchers created a daily tracking tool called the calendar of premenstrual experiences. They gave it to 36 women who had been carefully screened for PMS and 18 women without PMS, across two menstrual cycles in a row. They compared the calendar scores to two established, longer mood questionnaires (the Beck Depression Inventory and the Profile of Mood States). ## What they found The calendar correctly told PMS women apart from controls in 104 of 108 cycles, with only a 2.8% false-negative rate and no false positives when used over two cycles. Calendar scores matched well with the other mood questionnaires (correlations of 0.46 to 0.61, all highly significant), and repeating the test in the same cycle phase twice gave very consistent results (correlation 0.78). ## What it means for you This daily calendar looks like a practical, trustworthy way to confirm PMS, especially useful before starting treatment or research. The study was small and done in rigidly screened women, so results may not apply to everyone with milder or less typical symptoms. 104/108 cycles correctly identified PMS vs controls 2.8% false-negative rate r=0.78 test-retest reliability ## About the study Original title Diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome by a simple, prospective, and reliable instrument: the calendar of premenstrual experiences Authors Mortola JF, Girton L, Beck L et al. Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 1990 Study design Cohort study Participants 36 What was tested A daily self-report symptom calendar (not a treatment, a diagnostic tool) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(91)90644-k](https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(91)90644-k) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/) 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 Cohort study, 2026 What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms? Systematic review, 2026 How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together? Randomised trial, 2026 Does Kundalini Reiki help reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life? Cohort study, 2026 Does having PMS before pregnancy increase the risk of postpartum depression? Systematic review, 2026 Does vitamin D supplementation help PMS symptoms? Study, 2026 How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗