---
title: How common is PMS in teenage girls and how severe are the symptoms?
description: 31% of the teenage girls met the criteria for PMS. The most severe symptoms were mood swings, anxiety, and irritability, with the biggest problems at home.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-pms-in-adolescents-severity-and-impairment-2006/
---

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- How common is PMS in teenage girls and how severe are the symptoms?

Survey study, 2006

# How common is PMS in teenage girls and how severe are the symptoms?

31% of the teenage girls met the criteria for PMS. The most severe symptoms were mood swings, anxiety, and irritability, with the biggest problems at home.

 Early or limited evidence

94 adolescents ages 13 to 18 years in a gynecology practice

## What they did

Cross-sectional study. Adolescents ages 13 to 18 years completed a symptom questionnaire, functional impairment ratings, and a medical history questionnaire during an office visit.

## What they found

Of the 94 participants, 31% met PMS criteria, 54% said they had PMS but did not meet criteria, and 15% clearly had no PMS. In the PMS group, the most severe symptoms were mood swings, anxiety, and irritability, with the greatest impairment in the home and family domain. Dysmenorrhea and the duration of PMS were significantly associated with PMS.

## What it means for you

PMS is common in teenage girls. However, this study was cross-sectional and only assessed symptoms once. The researchers recommend prospective studies to confirm these findings.

31%

Met PMS criteria

54%

Said they had PMS but did not meet criteria

16.5 years

Mean age

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in adolescents: severity and impairment Authors Vichnin M, Freeman EW, Lin H et al. Journal Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology Year 2006 Study design Survey study Participants 94 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2006.06.015](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2006.06.015)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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