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.
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