---
title: How common is PMS and what causes it? | Niyora
description: Millions of reproductive-age U.S. women experience premenstrual symptoms with varying severity. The cause appears to involve how the brain responds to normal
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-disorders-prevalence-etiology-and-impact-2006/
---

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- How common is PMS and what causes it?

Survey study, 2006

# How common is PMS and what causes it?

Millions of reproductive-age U.S. women experience premenstrual symptoms with varying severity. The cause appears to involve how the brain responds to normal changes in female hormones, and some people may have genetic risk.

 Early or limited evidence

Reproductive-age U.S. women

## What they did

Literature review and discussion of premenstrual symptom prevalence, proposed causes, and impact on daily life.

## What they found

Millions of U.S. women experience premenstrual symptoms. Some have genetic predisposition. The symptoms likely result from abnormal responses by the brain or hormonal systems to normal hormone changes during the menstrual cycle. Premenstrual disorders significantly impact quality of life and work productivity.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms are very common and can seriously affect women's lives. However, the exact causes are still not fully understood, and we don't yet know which women will develop severe symptoms.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual disorders: prevalence, etiology and impact Authors Winer SA, Rapkin AJ Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 2006 Study design Survey study What was tested None - literature review Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16734317/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16734317/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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