---
title: How common are different types of premenstrual symptoms? | Niyora
description: Premenstrual symptoms were very common, ranging from 36% for breast pain to 66% for stomach and back cramps. Multiple factors including education, when period
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/epidemiologic-study-of-premenstrual-symptoms-1992/
---

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- How common are different types of premenstrual symptoms?

Survey study, 1992

# How common are different types of premenstrual symptoms?

Premenstrual symptoms were very common, ranging from 36% for breast pain to 66% for stomach and back cramps. Multiple factors including education, when periods started, menstrual irregularity, and pregnancy history were linked to having symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

342 Egyptian women

## What they did

Researchers analyzed responses from 342 Egyptian women about their premenstrual symptoms and compared which women experienced them based on their age, education, socioeconomic status, and reproductive history.

## What they found

Symptoms ranged from 36% (breast pain or tenderness) to 66% (stomach and back cramps). Socioeconomic status, education, age at first period, breast size, irregular menstrual cycles, and previous pregnancies were all associated with having premenstrual symptoms.

## What it means for you

PMS symptoms are very common, affecting roughly one-third to two-thirds of women depending on the symptom. Several factors about your background and body appear to affect whether you experience symptoms, but the study does not show which factors matter most. Limited to Egyptian women and relies on self-reported symptoms.

342

women studied

36%

reported breast pain

66%

reported stomach and back cramps

## About the study

Original title Epidemiologic study of premenstrual symptoms Authors Khella AK Journal The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association Year 1992 Study design Survey study Participants 342 What was tested none Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1295940/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1295940/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Economic burden](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-economic-burden/)

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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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