---
title: How common are premenstrual symptoms in the community? | Niyora
description: Very common, ranging from 39 percent for breast swelling to 81 percent for weight gain. Socioeconomic status, race, and breast disease history were linked to
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/epidemiology-of-premenstrual-symptoms-1987/
---

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- How common are premenstrual symptoms in the community?

Survey study, 1987

# How common are premenstrual symptoms in the community?

Very common, ranging from 39 percent for breast swelling to 81 percent for weight gain. Socioeconomic status, race, and breast disease history were linked to more symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

520 Connecticut women

## What they did

520 Connecticut women reported on selected premenstrual symptoms and their demographic, reproductive, contraceptive, and medical characteristics.

## What they found

Premenstrual symptoms ranged from 39% for breast swelling to 81% for weight gain. Lower socioeconomic status, certain racial groups, history of benign breast disease, larger bra cup size, and history of abortion were associated with premenstrual symptoms.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms are very common in community samples. The main limitation is that only Connecticut women were studied, so results may not apply to women in other areas.

520

Connecticut women

39%

with breast swelling

81%

with weight gain

## About the study

Original title Epidemiology of premenstrual symptoms Authors Boyle CA, Berkowitz GS, Kelsey JL Journal American journal of public health Year 1987 Study design Survey study Participants 520 Read the paper [doi.org/10.2105/ajph.77.3.349](https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.77.3.349)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)

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