---
title: Which symptom rating scales best measure PMDD? | Niyora
description: Three simple rating scales reliably measure PMDD symptoms and track treatment effects. They work well together, with strong agreement between them (correlatio
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-measurement-of-premenstrual-mood-symptoms-1999/
---

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- Which symptom rating scales best measure PMDD?

Randomised trial, 1999

# Which symptom rating scales best measure PMDD?

Three simple rating scales reliably measure PMDD symptoms and track treatment effects. They work well together, with strong agreement between them (correlations 0.70 to 0.82).

 Early or limited evidence

Women diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoria

## What they did

Researchers tested three different symptom rating scales at the beginning and during treatment in women with PMDD.

## What they found

All three scales strongly correlated with each other (correlation range 0.70 to 0.82). All scales detected symptom worsening and showed treatment effects (P < 0.001).

## What it means for you

Simple rating scales can reliably measure PMDD symptoms and whether treatment works. The study does not specify how many women were tested, which limits certainty.

0.70 to 0.82

correlation between the three measurement scales

P < 0.001

statistical significance of findings

## About the study

Original title The measurement of premenstrual mood symptoms Authors Steiner M, Streiner DL, Steinberg S et al. Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 1999 Study design Randomised trial What was tested None - this tested measurement tools, not treatments Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(98)00121-9](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(98)00121-9)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)

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.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2008

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2003

Are SSRI antidepressants effective for PMDD?

Randomised trial, 1999

Do SSRIs reduce premenstrual dysphoria symptoms?

Randomised trial, 1995

Does fluoxetine help premenstrual dysphoria?

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Cohort study, 2019

Do SSRIs help women who have both PMS and panic disorder?

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