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.
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
Topics
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