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Survey study, 2010

How common are premenstrual symptoms in women around age 40?

About 38% of women around age 40 had three or more premenstrual symptoms, and about 4.7% reported them as severe.

Early or limited evidence 107 women around age 40

What they did

Researchers studied 107 women around age 40 attending a health program. They asked women about 35 different premenstrual symptoms.

What they found

41 women (38.3%) had 3 or more premenstrual symptoms. 15 women (14.0%) had 5 or more symptoms. 5 women (4.7%) reported that their symptoms were severe. 11 women had sought treatment. The most common symptom was breast heaviness. Women also reported anger and depression.

What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms are quite common in women approaching menopause, affecting more than a third of them. Most women do not seek medical treatment, suggesting many manage symptoms without help. The study looked at only women around age 40, so may not apply to younger women.

38.3%

had 3 or more premenstrual symptoms

14.0%

had 5 or more symptoms

4.7%

reported symptoms as severe

About the study

Original title
Prevalence of premenstrual symptoms: Preliminary analysis and brief review of management strategies
Authors
Joshi JV, Pandey SN, Galvankar P et al.
Journal
Journal of mid-life health
Year
2010
Study design
Survey study
Participants
200
Open access
Yes

Topics