---
title: How do doctors diagnose premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: A woman has premenstrual syndrome when she has at least one moderate or severe symptom for up to two weeks before her period that disappears by the end of men
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-gynaecology-or-psychiatry-2001/
---

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- How do doctors diagnose premenstrual syndrome?

Study, 2001

# How do doctors diagnose premenstrual syndrome?

A woman has premenstrual syndrome when she has at least one moderate or severe symptom for up to two weeks before her period that disappears by the end of menstruation and seriously affects her daily life. Diagnosis is confirmed by tracking symptoms for at least two consecutive menstrual cycles.

 Early or limited evidence

Menstruating women (estimated percentages from research)

## What they did

This is a clinical review describing how to diagnose premenstrual syndrome using established medical criteria.

## What they found

About 50-80% of menstruating women experience some physical or emotional symptoms before their period. Among all menstruating women, 3-5% have symptoms severe enough to disrupt their work, school, or social life.

## What it means for you

This provides women and doctors with clear criteria for identifying premenstrual syndrome. The main limitation is that this describes how to diagnose the condition, not what causes it or how to treat it.

50-80%

menstruating women with some premenstrual symptoms

3-5%

women with severe symptoms affecting daily life

2 weeks

timeframe before period when symptoms occur

## About the study

Original title PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME: GYNAECOLOGY OR PSYCHIATRY? Authors Andrea J. Rapkin, Judith A. Mikacich Journal Reproductive Medicine Review Year 2001 Study design Study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1017/s0962279901000345](https://doi.org/10.1017/s0962279901000345)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)

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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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