---
title: Is the PMS diagnosis scientifically valid and clinically useful?
description: The authors argue the traditional PMS diagnosis is flawed because there is no agreed definition, many women seeking help do not fit diagnostic criteria, and t
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-premenstrual-syndrome-a-reappraisal-of-the-concept-and-the-evidence-1993/
---

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- Is the PMS diagnosis scientifically valid and clinically useful?

Review, 1993

# Is the PMS diagnosis scientifically valid and clinically useful?

The authors argue the traditional PMS diagnosis is flawed because there is no agreed definition, many women seeking help do not fit diagnostic criteria, and there is no consensus on treatment. They propose a three-factor model instead.

 Moderate study design

Review article on women seeking help for menstrual-related problems

## What they did

Critical review of the PMS concept, diagnostic definitions, proposed treatments, and theories about causes. The authors examined the relationship between premenstrual mood changes and major depression.

## What they found

There is no consensus definition of PMS, so many women seeking help are excluded from diagnosis. There is no agreement on how to treat these problems. Premenstrual mood changes resemble major depression but are shorter in duration and repeat cyclically. The authors propose a three-factor model instead of the traditional PMS concept.

## What it means for you

The traditional PMS diagnosis may not capture the real experiences of women with menstrual-related symptoms. Understanding these problems may help explain why depression is more common in reproductive-age women than men. The field needs a new way of thinking about these problems.

Majority

of women excluded from diagnosis

No agreement

on definition or treatment

3-factor model

proposed instead of traditional PMS

## About the study

Original title The premenstrual syndrome--a reappraisal of the concept and the evidence Authors Bancroft J Journal Psychological medicine Year 1993 Study design Review What was tested None (review article) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1017/s0264180100001272](https://doi.org/10.1017/s0264180100001272)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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

Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Survey study, 2011

Is premenstrual syndrome related to major depression?

Study, 2026

What treatments work for PMDD?

Case-control study, 2019

Do negative thinking patterns increase the risk of PMS or PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2012

Does continuous birth control with levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol reduce PMDD and PMS symptoms?

Cohort study, 2011

Do Spanish women seek medical advice for premenstrual symptoms?

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