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Survey study, 2013

Do past PMS symptoms predict how severe your menopause symptoms will be?

Yes. Women with more severe pain, concentration problems, or water retention during the premenstrual phase were more likely to have severe physical symptoms during menopause.

Moderate study design 290 women transitioning to menopause or past menopause

What they did

Asked 290 women about symptoms they experienced during pregnancy, the postpartum period, the premenstrual phase, and hormonal contraceptive use, then compared these to their current menopause symptoms.

What they found

Pain, lack of concentration, and water retention during the premenstrual phase predicted more severe physical symptoms during menopause. Symptoms during pregnancy also predicted menopausal symptoms.

What it means for you

PMS symptoms may indicate who will have more trouble with physical symptoms during menopause. This suggests some women may be more sensitive to hormone changes. The study is one group, so we don't know if this applies to all women.

290

women in the study

3

PMS symptoms that predicted menopause symptoms

About the study

Original title
Past reproductive events as predictors of physical symptom severity during the menopausal transition
Authors
Stone SE, Mazmanian D, Oinonen KA et al.
Journal
Menopause (New York, N.Y.)
Year
2013
Study design
Survey study

Topics