Survey study, 2000
How does PMS severity affect whether women seek treatment for PMS?
PMS severity matters for how much it interferes with life, but many women with severe PMS don't seek treatment. About 4.9 percent report severe symptoms, while 11.3 percent meet criteria for PMDD. Women who do seek help are typically older and have symptoms in most cycles.
What they did
1022 women aged 18-49 with regular periods from across the United States completed a mail survey about their premenstrual symptoms, how much symptoms interfere with their work and social life, and whether they seek treatment. Researchers analyzed the data to see what made women seek help.
What they found
A simple self-report question identified 4.9 percent with severe PMS, while a medical criteria approach identified 11.3 percent with PMDD symptoms. Of the women identified with PMDD, 92 percent reported that their symptoms interfered with their social and occupational functioning. Women who sought treatment tended to be older, to have symptoms in most cycles, to report severe symptoms, to use other healthcare services more, and to have fewer negative attitudes toward PMS. Despite their PMS affecting their work and social life, many women underestimated how much their symptoms affected them and did not seek treatment.
What it means for you
The severity of PMS affects how much it interferes with work and social life. Simple screening questions can help identify women with PMDD who need treatment. However, many women with real problems don't seek help. This may be due to shame, negative attitudes about PMS, or not realizing how much it affects them. A key limit is this was self-reported data, not a trial of actual treatment.
1022
women surveyed
4.9%, 11.3%
severe PMS and PMDD
92%
PMDD women with life interference
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual symptom severity: impact on social functioning and treatment-seeking behaviors
- Authors
- Robinson RL, Swindle RW
- Journal
- Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine
- Year
- 2000
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 1,022
- What was tested
- None, this was a survey study of symptoms, interference and treatment-seeking.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/15246090050147736
Topics
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