---
title: What premenstrual symptoms do adolescent girls experience? | Niyora
description: Almost all adolescent girls report premenstrual symptoms. Most commonly they experience physical discomfort, water retention, and fatigue, along with mood cha
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-in-adolescents-1989/
---

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- What premenstrual symptoms do adolescent girls experience?

Survey study, 1989

# What premenstrual symptoms do adolescent girls experience?

Almost all adolescent girls report premenstrual symptoms. Most commonly they experience physical discomfort, water retention, and fatigue, along with mood changes like depression and impulsive behavior.

 Early or limited evidence

207 adolescent girls, average age 17.6, mostly white, at a suburban health service.

## What they did

Researchers gave a validated 95-item survey to 207 adolescent girls (average age 17.6, mostly white) at a suburban health service.

## What they found

96% reported at least minimal premenstrual changes, 89% reported moderate changes, 59% reported severe changes, and 43% reported extreme changes. Physical symptoms included discomfort, water retention, and fatigue. Mood and behavior changes included depression and impulsive behavior. Symptoms were worst in girls with painful periods who weren't taking birth control.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms are very common in teenage girls and match what adults experience. The study was done at one suburban health service, so the findings may not represent all teenagers.

96%

reported at least minimal symptoms

59%

reported severe symptoms

43%

reported extreme symptoms

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual symptoms in adolescents Authors Fisher M, Trieller K, Napolitano B Journal Journal of adolescent health care : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine Year 1989 Study design Survey study Participants 207 What was tested None, survey study only Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0197-0070(89)90213-1](https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-0070(89)90213-1)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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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