---
title: How common are PMS and PMDD in low- and middle-income countries, and what prevents treatment?
description: PMS affects 5.5% to 98.2% of women and PMDD 0.5% to 65.7%, with huge variation in how it's diagnosed. The main barrier to treatment is lack of standardized di
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-prevalence-burden-treatment-and-barriers-to-accessing-treatment-for-2025/
---

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- How common are PMS and PMDD in low- and middle-income countries, and what prevents treatment?

Systematic review, 2025

# How common are PMS and PMDD in low- and middle-income countries, and what prevents treatment?

PMS affects 5.5% to 98.2% of women and PMDD 0.5% to 65.7%, with huge variation in how it's diagnosed. The main barrier to treatment is lack of standardized diagnosis and care guidelines, especially outside wealthy countries.

 Moderate study design

Women in low- and middle-income countries (504 studies reviewed, 23,435 initial records identified)

## What they did

Systematic scoping review of 504 studies from 2000-2024, examining prevalence, burden, treatment, and barriers to treatment for PMS and PMDD. Focus was on low- and middle-income countries, though treatment guidelines were reviewed regardless of country income level.

## What they found

PMS prevalence ranged from 5.5% to 98.2% and PMDD from 0.5% to 65.7%. Researchers found 12 different diagnostic tools were used for PMS. Treatment studies were mostly from high-income countries. All three clinical guidelines identified were from high-income countries.

## What it means for you

PMS and PMDD are common but diagnosed in many different ways, making true prevalence unclear. Almost no treatment guidance exists for low- and middle-income countries. Limited by: very wide variation in findings; publication bias; most existing research from wealthy countries.

5.5-98.2%

PMS prevalence range

0.5-65.7%

PMDD prevalence range

12

Different diagnostic tools used for PMS

## About the study

Original title THE PREVALENCE, BURDEN, TREATMENT AND BARRIERS TO ACCESSING TREATMENT FOR PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME AND PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER: A SYSTEMATIC SCOPING REVIEW Authors Ponganam MP, Makama M, Kayes E et al. Journal Authorea Preprints Year 2025 Study design Systematic review What was tested Various treatments and interventions Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.22541/au.175403722.22984663/v1](https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175403722.22984663/v1)

## 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/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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## Related studies

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with PMS or PMDD report lower quality of life than women without these conditions?

Systematic review, 2025

How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling?

Cohort study, 2024

Do women with severe premenstrual disorders have higher risk of relationship breakup?

Randomised trial, 2023

Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Cohort study, 2022

Does body size during childhood affect the risk of premenstrual disorders later?

Survey study, 2022

What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?

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