---
title: Work and productivity: 632 studies, explained | Niyora
description: 632 studies on work and productivity and PMS or PMDD, each summarised in plain English: what was tested, who took part, what they found and what it means.
url: https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/
---

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# Work and productivity: what the research says

632 studies on work and productivity in PMS and PMDD, each explained in plain English. 39 of them use the strongest designs: randomised trials and systematic reviews.

Survey study 331

Cohort study 59

Study 53

Review 51

Systematic review 32

Case-control study 29

Review, 2026

How well do SSRIs treat PMS?

SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine are first-line treatments for severe PMS. They work at low doses, are safe with few side effects, and reduce symptoms by affecting serotonin and brain chemistry related to mood.

Cohort study, 2026

Is PMS becoming more common and more disabling worldwide?

Yes. Globally, PMS cases rose 49.88% and the disability caused by PMS rose 49.46% between 1990 and 2021. This trend is expected to continue through 2035.

Systematic review, 2026

Are hormone levels different in women with PMS?

Women with PMS have higher estrogen levels during the luteal phase (p=0.014), but progesterone levels are not consistently different. Studies used different methods and small samples.

Systematic review, 2026

Do mindfulness and relaxation techniques help with PMS symptoms?

Yes. These techniques reduced physical symptoms like pain and fatigue, and emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression. However, the evidence is still limited.

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Evidence shows these women have normal hormone levels but heightened sensitivity in their brains and cells to hormone changes. This explains PMDD and some postpartum and perimenopausal mood problems, and has led to new treatments.

Randomised trial, 2025

Do essential oils reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes, all three essential oils (rosa damascena, lavender, and citrus aurantium) reduced PMS symptoms, with lavender showing the strongest effect on mood and physical symptoms.

Cohort study, 2025

Is there a link between premenstrual disorders and autoimmune disease?

Yes. Women with autoimmune disease have 12% higher risk of premenstrual disorders, and women with premenstrual disorders have 23% higher risk of autoimmune disease.

Systematic review, 2025

Do nutritional interventions help with emotional symptoms of PMS?

Vitamin B6, calcium, and zinc consistently improved emotional PMS symptoms. Other nutrients like vitamin D, magnesium, and soy had insufficient evidence supporting their use.

Systematic review, 2025

Does digital healthcare help manage period pain and PMS?

Yes, digital apps and websites effectively reduced period pain and improved symptom management for PMS, according to a review of 8 studies.

Cohort study, 2025

Are irregular menstrual cycles linked to lower thinking and memory skills in middle-aged women?

Yes. Women with irregular cycles at ages 29-46 and women with very short cycles (25 days or less) at ages 18-22 both had slightly lower memory scores later in life.

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with premenstrual disorders take more sick leave and have higher unemployment?

Yes. Women with premenstrual disorders have 40% higher risk of taking sick leave and 27% higher risk of unemployment compared to women without the disorder. The risk is even higher for longer absences and depression-related leave.

Systematic review, 2025

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

PMS affects 62% of nursing students, and 21% have PMDD or severe PMS, while 72% experience painful periods, disrupting their studies and wellbeing. These students need institutional support and evidence-based treatment.

Review, 2025

How do stress hormone levels change during the menstrual cycle and how does this affect health?

Cortisol levels are higher in the first two phases of the cycle and lower in the final phase. Higher cortisol is linked to PMS symptoms, miscarriage, and reduced fertility, while birth control medications may help stabilize cortisol.

Systematic review, 2025

Does alcohol use affect menstrual health in teenage girls?

Yes. Alcohol use is linked to irregular periods, PMS, period pain, and early or unintended pregnancy in teenage girls, though more research is needed to prove alcohol directly causes these problems.

Cohort study, 2024

Does psychological distress in adolescence predict menstrual symptoms in adulthood?

Yes. Women who had higher psychological distress at age 16 were significantly more likely to experience various menstrual symptoms at ages 16, 30, and 42. This is based on a large, long-term study.

Systematic review, 2024

How common is premenstrual syndrome in Africa, and what factors increase the risk?

About 47 percent of reproductive-age women in Africa experience PMS, which is high. Starting menstruation at an earlier age is a clear risk factor.

Systematic review, 2024

Does yoga help reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes, yoga appears to help reduce emotional, behavioral, and physical PMS symptoms and improve quality of life. The evidence comes from a systematic review of 14 randomized controlled trials.

Review, 2023

What treatments help mental and physical health problems linked to the menstrual cycle?

Multiple treatment approaches work including medicines, psychotherapy, and hormonal therapy. An interdisciplinary team approach combining different specialties works best.

Cohort study, 2023

Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis?

Yes. PMDD is recognized by the World Health Organization and American Psychiatric Association as a distinct medical diagnosis. Evidence suggests it has real neurobiological basis, though more biological research is still needed to fully understand it.

Cohort study, 2023

Do women with premenstrual disorders go through menopause earlier and have worse hot flashes?

Yes. Women with premenstrual disorders went into menopause about 2.67 times earlier and were more likely to have moderate or severe hot flashes (68.3% versus 55.3%).

Systematic review, 2023

How many women in Turkey have PMS?

About 52.2% of Turkish reproductive age women have PMS. Rates vary by group: 59% of high school students, 50.3% of university students, and 66% of women in the general population.

Cohort study, 2022

How common is PMS in working women and what factors increase the risk?

PMS developed in 7% of Korean working women over 8 years. Women who were very young (15-19), manual workers, had anemia, or were underweight had significantly higher risk.

Systematic review, 2021

Are there hormone changes that could explain PMDD or depression in women?

Yes, women with PMDD have lower estrogen levels during the luteal phase of their cycle, and women with depression have lower testosterone levels. These hormonal differences may contribute to their symptoms.

Review, 2020

How do reproductive hormones affect the brain and behavior during the menstrual cycle?

Reproductive hormones like estradiol and progesterone change significantly during the menstrual cycle and affect mood, thinking, perception, and behavior through effects on the brain. The same applies to hormones in oral contraceptives.

Systematic review, 2020

How common is PMS among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia?

PMS is very common. About 53% of women of reproductive age have it. Age at first period, menstrual pattern, and hormonal contraceptive use were not significantly associated with PMS.

Systematic review, 2020

Does Vitex agnus-castus help cyclic breast pain?

Vitex appears moderately effective for reducing cyclic breast pain compared to placebo, works as well as some medications, and is safe with minimal side effects.

Guideline, 2019

How should doctors treat PMS and PMDD?

Treatment should be tailored to each woman's symptoms and life stage. Options include therapy, herbs, antidepressants, birth control to stop ovulation, and water pills.

Review, 2019

What is the current evidence for diagnosing and treating PMDD, especially in Indian women?

PMDD is underdiagnosed and often mistaken for mild premenstrual symptoms. Sertraline is the most widely studied and effective medication for treating PMDD.

Review, 2018

What causes PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated?

PMS affects 30-40% of women and is likely caused by sensitivity to normal hormone changes and neurotransmitter problems. Treatment includes antidepressants, birth control pills, counseling, and lifestyle changes.

Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

PMS affects 30 to 40 percent of reproductive-age women and PMDD affects 3 to 8 percent. Serotonergic antidepressants are the most effective treatment, but oral contraceptives, lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and herbal supplements are also available options.

Cohort study, 2014

Does childhood abuse increase the risk of PMS in adulthood?

Yes, women with childhood emotional abuse had 2.6 times higher PMS risk, and those with physical abuse had 2.1 times higher risk. This 14-year prospective study provides strong evidence.

Case-control study, 2014

How common is severe period pain and what causes it?

Period pain affects 16% to 91% of women of reproductive age, with severe pain in 2% to 29%. It's less common as women age, after having children, and when using birth control pills, but more common with stress or family history of it.

Systematic review, 2013

Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Most studies found Vitex better than placebo for PMS. For PMDD, results were mixed: one study showed it equal to fluoxetine, while another found fluoxetine more effective. Side effects were mild.

Randomised trial, 2011

Does phone support reduce stress during IVF waiting?

No, the stress scale showed no difference, but women perceived the support as helpful and wanted more.

Systematic review, 2010

Does acupuncture treat premenstrual syndrome?

Evidence for acupuncture treating PMS is limited and understudied. Most evidence focuses on period pain and menopause, but all evidence has quality problems.

Review, 2008

What medications are FDA-approved for treating PMDD?

Three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, a type of antidepressant) and a low-dose birth control pill containing drospirenone are FDA-approved for PMDD. SSRIs can be taken just during the two weeks before menstruation.

Randomised trial, 2003

What complementary and alternative medicines help with women's reproductive health issues?

Acupressure helps with pregnancy nausea and calcium helps with PMS. Vitamin B6, ginger, magnesium, chaste-tree berry, low-fat diet, exercise, and fish oil show promise but need more research.

Review, 1992

Is PMS really caused by hormones?

The evidence that PMS is caused by hormones is unclear. Psychological and individualized treatments may work better than hormone treatments for PMS.

Review, 1989

Are mental health conditions linked to the reproductive cycle?

Psychiatric disorders like PMS and postpartum depression are linked to the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. But research on PMS is still early and many questions remain.

Survey study, 2026

What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD?

This review consolidates what doctors know about PMS and PMDD. PMS affects 12-98% of reproductive-age women and PMDD affects 2-5%. Treatments range from lifestyle changes, therapy, and vitamins to medications like SSRIs and oral contraceptives.

Survey study, 2026

Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls?

Yes. Girls with earlier periods, irregular cycles, long cycles, severe period pain, and worse premenstrual symptoms have higher depression and anxiety scores, and these links get stronger as girls get older.

Cohort study, 2026

Is wanting to get pregnant linked to worse PMDD symptoms?

No. Among full-time working women, wanting to get pregnant was not linked to having PMDD, though it was weakly linked to slightly higher symptom scores.

Survey study, 2026

Is PMS worse in medical students with higher stress?

Yes. Medical students with high stress are much more likely to have moderate to severe PMS. About 26.5% of students had moderate to severe PMS overall.

Survey study, 2026

Do people with ADHD traits have higher rates of PMDD than others?

Yes, people with ADHD traits had significantly higher risk of PMDD. People with autism traits did not show a higher risk of PMDD.

Systematic review, 2026

What types of talking therapy have been studied for PMS and PMDD?

Several cognitive behavioral therapies have been studied for PMS and PMDD, including CBT, mindfulness therapy, and acceptance therapy. The evidence is scattered and hasn't been systematically compared yet, so we don't know which approach works best.

Systematic review, 2026

Can mindfulness, yoga or qigong help with PMS symptoms?

Yes, these practices seem to help with mood, stress, anxiety, physical symptoms and sleep in women with PMS, but the research quality is only moderate, so we cannot be fully certain yet.

Systematic review, 2026

Do digital tools and apps help reduce PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Yes, several digital programs help reduce symptoms, especially internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy and app-based mindfulness. Therapist-guided internet CBT for PMDD showed benefits lasting up to 6 months. Tracking apps helped with symptom awareness and engagement.

Randomised trial, 2026

Does online muscle relaxation training or lifestyle changes reduce PMS symptoms and improve work performance?

Yes, both approaches significantly reduced PMS symptoms and improved work performance. Progressive muscle relaxation was slightly more effective for pain and overall symptom severity.

Randomised trial, 2026

Which types of exercise work best to reduce period pain and PMS?

In this review of 86 studies, yoga and aerobic exercise showed the most consistent benefits for reducing period pain and overall health. However, most studies were not high-quality randomized trials, and the review could not combine results statistically due to wide differences in study methods.

Survey study, 2026

Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health?

Yes. College women who do moderate to vigorous exercise have less severe period problems, lower stress, fewer depression symptoms, and better sleep quality.

Non-randomised trial, 2026

Does video-guided digital menstrual exercise reduce PMS and period pain in adolescent girls?

Yes. The exercise group was much more likely to have no PMS symptoms (74.3%) and no period pain (34.3%) compared to the control group.

Randomised trial, 2026

Does vitamin D help with PMS symptoms?

This review found that low vitamin D is linked to more severe PMS symptoms, and supplementation significantly reduces PMS scores, especially for mood-related symptoms. However, the studies used different doses and measuring methods, so more rigorous research with standardized dosing is needed.

Study, 2026

What coping strategies help women manage PMS symptoms?

Many strategies help manage PMS: psychological and behavioral changes, lifestyle modifications, and complementary methods like yoga and meditation. Programs combining counseling, education, and lifestyle changes work best and have few side effects.

Survey study, 2026

How has the global burden of PMS and uterine fibroids changed since 1990, and where is it heading by 2050?

Worldwide, an estimated 233 million women had PMS in 2023, and both PMS and uterine fibroids have become slightly more common since 1990, with uterine fibroids rising faster and expected to keep rising sharply through 2050.

Survey study, 2026

Is academic stress linked to PMS severity in university students?

Yes, clearly. Higher stress levels were linked to worse PMS symptoms.

Survey study, 2026

What lifestyle and work factors are linked to PMDD symptoms in Chinese nurses?

42.4% of Chinese nurses have PMDD symptoms. Risk is higher in those who work night shifts, do not exercise, drink alcohol, are overweight in a certain range, or have depression, anxiety, or poor sleep.

Case-control study, 2026

Do adolescents with heart disease have worse menstrual problems than healthy teenagers?

Adolescents with congenital heart disease had similar menstrual cycles and period pain to healthy controls. However, healthy controls were significantly more likely to miss school due to period pain and experienced more premenstrual bloating, anxiety, and mood swings.

Case-control study, 2026

How do thinking, mood, and work change across the cycle in women with and without period pain?

Women with period pain experienced challenges in mood, work performance, and self-esteem that extended beyond the pain itself. Thinking and memory skills did not show clear differences between women with and without period pain.

Survey study, 2026

Are women who feel mood changes from birth control pills at higher risk for PMDD and postpartum depression?

Yes. Women who reported mood problems from the pill were 3.78 times more likely to have PMDD and 1.66 times more likely to have depression after childbirth, though genetic factors and depression history also matter.

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Between 5% and 8% of women have moderate-to-severe symptoms that cause significant problems with work, relationships, and daily life. These are called PMS or PMDD. PMDD is the most severe form.

Review, 2026

How do social factors like stigma and unequal care responsibilities affect premenstrual symptoms?

This review shows that PMS and PMDD arise from both biology and social context. Menstrual stigma, unequal care work, violence, financial dependence, and healthcare bias all shape how symptoms develop and whether women get help.

Survey study, 2026

How common is PMDD among college women and what increases the risk?

About 17.4% of college women screened positive for probable PMDD. Living with a boyfriend, having severe period pain, and having longer menstrual cycles were associated with higher odds.

Randomised trial, 2026

Does physical activity help manage PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Yes, aerobic exercise at moderate intensity reduces both physical and psychological symptoms of PMS and PMDD. Evidence comes from reviews of other studies, and more research is needed.

Survey study, 2026

What factors are linked with period pain in teenage girls in Ethiopia?

Period pain affects about 7 in 10 teenage girls in this Ethiopian town. It is significantly linked with family history of period pain, having premenstrual syndrome, sleeping 6 hours or less per night, heavy menstrual periods, skipping breakfast, and female genital mutilation.

Survey study, 2026

Does a history of mood problems with your period predict depression during menopause?

Yes, women with a history of mood changes before their period or depression after childbirth were more likely to have depression symptoms during menopause.

Study, 2026

Is worry about environmental damage linked to worse PMS and lower quality of life?

Yes. Women who worry more about environmental damage reported higher PMS severity and lower quality of life in both physical and mental health. However, this does not prove worry causes worse PMS.

Cohort study, 2026

Does recreational exercise affect menstrual health and PMS risk?

No. The study found no meaningful link between exercise amount or intensity and PMS in 719 recreational exercisers. Higher light activity had a tiny association with irregular periods.

Survey study, 2026

Are PMS and PMDD the same condition or are they different?

They are different. PMDD is more severe and causes significant distress and impairment in work and relationships, while PMS is broader and milder. PMDD requires more intensive treatment.

Survey study, 2026

What life and job situations increase the risk of PMDD and moderate-to-severe PMS in working women?

Younger age, non-permanent jobs, working 60 or more hours weekly, small company employment, having children, and lower education all increase risk. Manufacturing jobs reduce risk.

Survey study, 2026

Are women with PMS more likely to have sexual dysfunction?

Yes. Women with PMS and PMDD have increased risk of sexual dysfunction including low libido, inability to reach orgasm, and pain during intercourse. The causes may be shared hormonal and serotonin system problems.

Cohort study, 2026

Does workplace stress affect whether women develop PMDD?

Among women already experiencing high psychological stress, having a stable job protected them from developing PMDD symptoms. The link was weaker for women with low stress.

Review, 2026

Do PMDD, postpartum depression and perimenopausal depression have the same genetic causes?

It's unclear. Researchers have looked at several of the same genes in all three conditions but found inconsistent results. Most genetic research has focused on postpartum depression, not PMDD.

Review, 2026

How much do PMS and menstrual disorders affect women's work, school, and quality of life?

Significantly. PMS and related menstrual disorders reduce quality of life, mental health, and work productivity. Most productivity loss comes from working while unwell rather than missing work.

Survey study, 2026

How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle?

Appetite increases significantly before and during the period. Pain can disrupt sleep, especially during menstruation. Single women report much worse sleep and pain during their period than married women do.

Case-control study, 2026

Does vitamin D help PMS symptoms?

Evidence from clinical trials suggests taking vitamin D supplements or eating foods rich in vitamin D can reduce PMS symptoms. Low vitamin D during the menstrual cycle may make PMS worse.

Review, 2026

How does the menstrual cycle affect concentration and work productivity?

Reaction time slows and attention problems occur most during the luteal and premenstrual phases, particularly in people with PMS or PMDD. Overall evidence is mixed because studies use different methods.

Survey study, 2025

Do women with PMS have higher anxiety, stress, and different personality traits?

Yes. Women with PMS had significantly higher anxiety sensitivity and stress levels, higher neuroticism and psychoticism traits, and slightly lower extraversion than women without PMS.

Survey study, 2025

Do adverse childhood experiences increase PMS and menstrual symptoms in adulthood?

Yes. Women who experienced four or more adverse childhood experiences were nearly three times more likely to have severe premenstrual symptoms and more than five times as likely to have PMDD compared to those with fewer or no adverse experiences.

Survey study, 2025

Does severe PMS cause women to miss work or perform worse at their jobs?

Yes. Women with moderate to severe PMS miss more work and perform worse than those with mild symptoms, even accounting for age and job type.

Survey study, 2025

Do women with bipolar disorder who had PMS or postpartum depression have worse mood problems during menopause?

Yes. Women with bipolar disorder who had premenstrual symptoms are 6.189 times more likely to have mood episodes during menopause, and those with postpartum depression are 2.635 times more likely to have depression during menopause.

Survey study, 2025

What behavioral symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are most common?

Most women studied (519 out of 650) experienced at least one premenstrual symptom, with insomnia, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and avoiding social situations being most common. These behavioral symptoms were the top concerns for women with PMS.

Study, 2025

Do women have different symptom patterns before, during, and after menopause?

Yes. Women have different symptom patterns depending on whether they are before, during, or after menopause. All women experience fatigue, headache, anxiety, and brain fog regardless of life stage.

Survey study, 2025

Can a new screening tool identify PMS in working women and predict work absences?

Yes, researchers developed a 27-item screening tool that accurately identified PMS about 78% of the time and predicted work absences. However, it missed some cases.

Survey study, 2025

Can researchers develop a reliable tool to screen for PMS in the workplace?

Yes, researchers created a new screening tool with four parts that reliably identifies PMS and predicts who will miss work because of it.

Systematic review, 2025

Do diet changes or supplements help PMS symptoms?

Most studies showed diet changes and supplements reduced PMS symptoms, but many studies had quality concerns so we cannot be certain how much they truly help.

Survey study, 2025

Can a chatbot help monitor PMS symptoms over time?

Yes. A Telegram chatbot successfully tracked PMS symptoms across multiple menstrual cycles. Some women with PMS also met the criteria for fibromyalgia.

Survey study, 2025

Does menstruation affect how well women perform at work?

Yes. On days when women were menstruating, they reported lower ability to control their emotions and regulate themselves, which led to worse task performance, less helping of colleagues, and more withdrawing from work. Pain made this effect stronger.

Randomised trial, 2025

Does pumpkin seed extract reduce PMS pain?

Yes, pumpkin seed extract at 500 mg twice daily for 10 days significantly reduced PMS pain intensity more than lower doses or placebo.

Systematic review, 2025

Does taking zinc supplements help with PMS symptoms?

Yes, the evidence so far suggests zinc supplements can reduce overall PMS symptoms, including emotional and physical ones, but the research base is still small so this isn't fully settled.

Study, 2025

Does anger get worse before your period?

Yes. Anger and irritability are clearly more severe before your period across reproductive ages.

Non-randomised trial, 2025

Does online yoga help reduce PMS symptoms in working women?

Online yoga reduced 11 of 14 PMS symptoms in working women after 12 weeks. The study had a control group and decent sample size, but participants recruited through social media and the study was not randomized, so we have moderate confidence in these results.

Systematic review, 2025

Does seed cycling reduce PMS symptoms?

This review of 10 studies with 635 women found that seed cycling, especially flax and sesame seeds, was linked to improved menstrual regularity and reduced PMS symptom severity. However, evidence is based on small studies.

Study, 2025

Can blood markers that predict depression after childbirth also predict PMDD?

A blood marker linked to depression after childbirth also showed promise in identifying women with PMDD, particularly during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

Survey study, 2025

How do personality traits like neuroticism affect PMS severity and sexual satisfaction?

Yes, personality traits significantly predict both PMS severity and sexual satisfaction. Women with higher neuroticism had more severe PMS with anxiety, depression, and fatigue, while those with higher extraversion had milder PMS and better sexual satisfaction.

Cohort study, 2025

How has PMS burden changed worldwide from 1990 to 2021?

The global burden of PMS increased from 1990 to 2021. The burden is heaviest in poorer regions, where the real numbers may be much higher than recorded.

Systematic review, 2025

Do drugs that stop ovulation help women with PMS?

The abstract is incomplete and does not provide the main results, so no clear answer can be determined from the information given.

Survey study, 2025

Do certain nutrients and body weight affect PMS?

Yes. Higher energy intake and fat intake were significantly related to PMS, as was abnormal body weight (both underweight and overweight). Other nutrients tested were not significantly related.

Survey study, 2025

What factors predict whether women will seek help from a doctor for premenstrual symptoms?

About 57% of 592 women with PMS had sought professional help. Women were more likely to seek help if they had work or school problems, thought symptoms were severe, had social difficulties, or had bad past experiences with gynecological care.

Survey study, 2025

Can a smartphone app help diagnose and monitor PMS?

Yes. A Telegram chatbot achieved 80% active participation and tracked PMS symptoms effectively, showing promise as a tool for diagnosis and monitoring.

Survey study, 2025

What do adolescent girls in Pakistan know and think about PMS?

Most know PMS exists but many don't understand its symptoms or how to manage it. Only 35% correctly linked symptoms to PMS, though 63% saw it as a normal part of menstruation.

Cohort study, 2025

Does PMS or other menstrual problems increase the risk of asthma later in life?

Yes. Women who had heavy menstrual bleeding, severe period pain, or PMS from their 20s to 40s had 62-67% higher odds of asthma in their 40s.

Survey study, 2025

Are menstrual problems connected to depression?

Yes, strongly. Women with severe menstrual problems had significantly higher rates of depression. Those with severe PMS had twice the risk of definite depression compared to women without PMS.

Survey study, 2025

How do PMS and PMDD affect work performance, and do birth control pills help?

PMDD most substantially increased the risk of work problems. Birth control pills significantly reduced work problems only for PMDD, not for PMS.

Survey study, 2025

How do employed women seek relief for premenstrual and menstrual symptoms at work?

Women with severe symptoms and work-related pain are more likely to use heat and painkillers. Their approach depends on the type of work they do.

Survey study, 2025

How common is PMS among women in urban Pakistan?

PMS is very common. 52% of women in this study had PMS. Physical symptoms like back pain were most prevalent, followed by mood changes.

Survey study, 2025

Is PMS worse in girls living through violence and insecurity?

Yes. Adolescent girls exposed to political violence, living with insecurity, and experiencing depression-like symptoms were more likely to have severe PMS. Girls exposed to multiple types of violence had especially high rates of severe PMS.

Cohort study, 2025

Does eating an inflammatory diet make PMS symptoms worse?

Yes. Women who ate more pro-inflammatory foods had significantly worse PMS symptoms (p = 0.001). However, this study cannot prove that diet causes PMS because it only looked at one moment in time.

Survey study, 2025

How common and severe is PMS in older women in rural India, and what causes it?

Very common - 90% of women have PMS, with 62.2% having moderate to severe cases. Fatigue, physical symptoms, and trouble concentrating are most common. PMS often affects work and family relationships.

Survey study, 2025

Does PMDD affect women's quality of life and job performance?

Yes. Women with PMDD had significantly lower quality of life and job performance. Quality of life was positively linked with job performance.

Survey study, 2025

Does stress management affect perimenstrual symptoms in working women?

Yes. Women with better stress management skills had less severe symptoms around their period. Those who used avoidance to cope had worse symptoms.

Survey study, 2025

Does how women cope with stress affect their PMDD symptoms?

Yes. Women with stress had worse PMDD symptoms, especially if they avoided dealing with the problem. Using better coping strategies helped reduce symptom severity under stress.

Lab study, 2025

Does yogic pilates and breathing exercises help PMS symptoms?

Yes. Women doing yogic pilates and breathing exercises (pranayama) for 24 days had a clear improvement in core strength and a clear reduction in stress. There was no clear change in memory function or AMH hormone levels.

Study, 2025

Do social workers know about PMS and PMDD, and do they ask mothers about these problems?

Most of the 521 social workers surveyed had little knowledge of PMS and PMDD even though many had experienced it themselves, and the 16 interviewed said they did not ask mothers about it even though they thought they should.

Survey study, 2024

Does PMS affect how well nurses do their job?

Yes. The study found a strong connection between PMS and missed or incomplete nursing care. In particular, abdominal discomfort from PMS was linked to missed activities like medication administration and patient monitoring.

Survey study, 2024

Does PMS affect how well nurses perform at work?

Yes. Nurses with more severe PMS symptoms had significantly lower job performance (correlation r=0.298, p<0.01). The connection was small to moderate and we cannot prove PMS caused the performance decrease.

Cohort study, 2024

Does shift work or clean room environments worsen PMS and menstrual pain?

Yes. Shift workers had 1.20-1.30 times higher risk of multiple PMS symptoms including fatigue and menstrual irregularity. Clean room workers had higher menstrual pain.

Survey study, 2024

Which lifestyle choices affect PMS symptoms?

Depression was strongly linked to worse PMS symptoms, but exercise and relaxation showed no significant link. However, this was a snapshot survey that cannot prove depression causes PMS.

Study, 2024

Can a screening tool help identify women with PMS at work?

Yes. Researchers developed a 27-item questionnaire that successfully identifies women with PMS and predicts which ones might miss work. Of 3,239 working women, 10% had experienced PMS and 12% had taken sick leave because of symptoms.

Survey study, 2024

Does pranayama breathing training reduce PMS symptoms and improve brain function?

Yes. Women with PMS who completed 8 weeks of pranayama training showed significant improvements in nerve function and cognitive performance compared to those who didn't train. The study is small, and we don't know if effects last after training stops.

Non-randomised trial, 2024

Does eating banana help reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes. Women who ate 100 grams of banana daily for 3 months experienced significant reductions in PMS symptoms compared to those who did not eat banana.

Survey study, 2024

What menstrual and mental health factors are linked to high-risk premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Heavy periods, irregular cycles, severe period pain, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low resilience were all linked to higher PMDD risk. Resilience might help buffer the effects of anxiety and depression. About half of students studied had high-risk PMDD.

Interview study, 2024

How do young women use period tracker apps to manage their menstrual cycles?

Most young women use period tracker apps mainly to predict their next period. The apps help women understand their cycles better, but they need to be more accurate and provide better education.

Study, 2024

How do finger temperature, heart rate, and sleep change across the menstrual cycle?

Finger temperature and heart rate changed across the menstrual cycle, but sleep measures stayed the same in these healthy women. Heart rate was lowest during menses in both younger and older women.

Cohort study, 2024

Does shift work worsen PMS symptoms in newly graduated nurses?

Yes. PMS got worse six months after newly graduated nurses started shift work and stayed worse at 18 months. Sleep quality and fatigue were the strongest linked factors.

Survey study, 2024

How common is premenstrual syndrome among healthcare workers?

Just over half of healthcare workers had PMS, with the condition significantly linked to sleep habits, diet, physical activity, and BMI.

Survey study, 2024

How do occupational stress and sleep quality relate to premenstrual syndrome in nurses?

Occupational stress increases PMS, and poor sleep quality partly explains this relationship. Sleep quality accounted for about half the connection between stress and PMS.

Survey study, 2024

Do premenstrual disorders affect women's work performance?

Yes. Women with premenstrual disorders had worse productivity, work capacity, and daily functioning than women without them. Teachers had more premenstrual disorders than factory workers.

Survey study, 2024

Does PMS reduce how well nurses perform their clinical work?

Yes. Nurses with more severe PMS had significantly lower clinical performance scores. PMS predicted 26.5% of differences in how well nurses performed.

Case-control study, 2024

Does PMDD affect how women judge space and direction?

Women with PMDD performed better on spatial thinking tests during the follicular phase, suggesting PMDD may involve different brain processing patterns. The practical meaning of this enhanced ability is not yet clear.

Lab study, 2023

Does sleep change across the menstrual cycle?

No clear difference in healthy women. Objective sleep measurements remained stable across the menstrual cycle. Women approaching menopause reported feeling they slept worse overall compared to younger women, though their actual sleep duration was similar.

Cohort study, 2023

Do girls with intellectual disability have worse menstrual quality of life?

Girls with intellectual disability had similar menstrual patterns to other girls, but experienced significantly lower quality of life during menstruation and missed much more school due to periods.

Randomised trial, 2023

Do relaxation techniques help women with PMS symptoms?

Yes, both Benson's and Mitchell's relaxation techniques reduced PMS symptoms significantly, but Benson's method was more effective.

Cohort study, 2023

Does COVID-19 vaccination change the menstrual cycle?

About 25% of vaccinated people reported temporary menstrual changes, most after the second dose. The vaccines are safe and effective, but the study could not determine whether changes were caused by the vaccine or are normal cycle variation.

Cohort study, 2023

Can we predict which nurses will get PMS based on their lifestyle and work conditions?

Yes, researchers created a model that could accurately predict which nurses would develop PMS by looking at sleep quality, stress, anxiety, depression, caffeine intake, workplace bullying, and menstrual cycle patterns. The model showed good prediction ability in both test and validation datasets.

Case-control study, 2023

Does premenstrual syndrome affect school attendance and grades?

Yes, PMS was strongly linked to school absences and lower grades. About 44.2% of students with PMS missed school because of it.

Survey study, 2023

How common is PMS in working women and does it affect their work-life quality?

This survey of 600 working women found that 48% have PMS. Of those with PMS, 35% report lower work-life quality, a statistically significant difference meaning PMS significantly affects work satisfaction.

Cohort study, 2023

Does inconsistent sleep duration harm your heart health during your cycle?

Yes, sleep variability is linked to cardiovascular risk markers even in young healthy women, though the connections differ depending on race and shift work status.

Survey study, 2022

How much does PMDD affect academic quality of life in female college students?

In this study of 239 health sciences students, nearly all experienced PMDD symptoms (physical 98.7%, psychological 97.5%, some social 58.2%), and about half said it affected their academic quality of life (46.9%).

Survey study, 2022

What are the biggest research gaps in women's health, especially for menstrual conditions?

Research is lacking in many important areas, especially communication between women and doctors about health, and support for menstrual conditions like PMDD and heavy periods. There is more research on menopause but not on how to help women manage other conditions.

Survey study, 2022

How common are PMS and menstrual problems in women on kidney dialysis?

Very common. 70% had PMS and 58% had dysmenorrhea. Several medical factors including hypertension, autoimmune disease, and hepatitis C infection increased risk.

Systematic review, 2022

Does having PMDD increase the risk of depression during pregnancy or after birth?

Yes. Women with PMDD have higher risk of depression after giving birth. Evidence for depression during pregnancy is less clear from current studies.

Study, 2022

What mood and thinking changes are linked to premenstrual sleep and eating problems?

Low interest and apathy are linked to worse insomnia and eating changes in the week before a period. These sleep problems are also linked to problems at work, in hobbies, and in relationships.

Survey study, 2022

Are depressive symptoms linked to menstrual distress?

Yes, strongly. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with menstrual distress in both the premenstrual and menstrual phases, even after accounting for shift work, sleep, and other factors.

Study, 2022

Does COVID-19 infection affect menstrual cycles?

COVID-19 infection causes menstrual cycle changes in more than half of infected women, though most cycles return to normal within a year.

Randomised trial, 2022

Does listening to music reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms and improve quality of life?

Yes. Music significantly reduced PMS symptoms and improved quality of life scores in physical, psychological, and environmental areas. However, because the study only measured right after the music stopped, we are uncertain how long improvements last.

Survey study, 2022

What factors are associated with irregular menstrual cycles and how do irregular cycles affect other symptoms?

Irregular cycles (varying by more than 7 days) affected 21% of nurses. Higher weight, lack of vigorous exercise, shift work, and heavy lifting were associated with irregular cycles. Women with irregular cycles also reported more depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, and sleep problems.

Survey study, 2022

Did the COVID-19 pandemic change women's periods and mental health?

Yes. More than half of women reported changes in their menstrual cycle, including more heavy bleeding, painful periods, and missed periods. Rates of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep were more than double what is normal, and these were connected to menstrual changes.

Systematic review, 2022

Does relaxation therapy actually reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Yes. A review of 35 studies found that relaxation-based therapies, including yoga, massage, and specific relaxation techniques, all significantly reduced PMS symptoms.

Cohort study, 2022

Does living in greener areas reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes, women living in greener areas had lower rates of several PMS symptoms including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and breast tenderness. The effect was modest but consistent.

Study, 2022

Which premenstrual symptoms change with the menstrual cycle in midlife women?

Mood, muscle and nerve, and body-wide symptoms worsen before the period in women reporting PMS. Hot flashes and sleep problems do not follow this pattern, and menopausal transition stage does not affect any symptoms.

Survey study, 2022

Does PMDD affect how confident university students feel about their schoolwork?

Yes, university students with PMDD report significantly lower confidence in their ability to do schoolwork and other tasks compared to students without PMDD.

Survey study, 2022

What treatments do working women use for PMS?

Most working women (54.3%) use both medicine and other approaches. Common medicines are ponstan and paracetamol. Common non-medicine approaches are exercise and psychological therapy.

Survey study, 2021

Is irregular menstrual cycle linked to thoughts of suicide?

Women with irregular menstrual cycles were 1.42 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than women with regular cycles. The association was strongest in younger women, those who started their period early, and those who were employed.

Case-control study, 2021

Are there genetic differences between different types of PMDD?

Yes. Different PMDD subtypes show distinct genetic patterns that could eventually help diagnose which type a woman has and predict which treatments might work.

Randomised trial, 2021

Does Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 help premenstrual symptoms?

It may help mood and anxiety symptoms before your period, but it does not help water retention symptoms like breast swelling.

Survey study, 2021

How common is PMS in women of reproductive age and what increases the risk?

47% of 500 women aged 15-49 had PMS. Being younger (15-46), single, a smoker, having painful periods, or having a family history of PMS increased the risk. This is one region so results may differ elsewhere.

Non-randomised trial, 2021

Does progressive muscle relaxation taught via mobile app reduce PMS symptoms in adolescents?

Yes, progressive muscle relaxation via mobile app reduced PMS symptoms. There was a clear difference between the treatment group and the control group.

Survey study, 2021

Does secondhand tobacco smoke exposure affect the menstrual cycle and premenstrual symptoms?

Yes. Women exposed to tobacco smoke had significantly more menstrual problems and more severe premenstrual and menstrual symptoms compared to those with no exposure. Past exposure during childhood or adolescence appeared especially harmful.

Study, 2021

How do PMS symptoms and attitudes toward menstruation affect quality of life?

Both PMS symptoms and negative attitudes toward menstruation were linked to lower quality of life. PMS symptoms had a stronger connection to quality of life than menstrual attitude did. Regular exercise was linked to better quality of life.

Survey study, 2021

Do female military officers want to suppress their periods during training?

Yes, about half wanted to stop periods during training, mainly to avoid worrying about supplies and the inconvenience. However, 37% disagreed, and most didn't report that training made their PMS worse.

Survey study, 2021

What are the menstrual cycle patterns and how common are PMS and PCOS in young Korean women?

PMS affected 25.5% of participants and PCOS affected 5.2%. Most women with regular periods had normal cycle length (93% had 21-35 day cycles) and normal duration, though 55.9% reported heavy bleeding.

Survey study, 2021

How common is premenstrual syndrome in Saudi women and what symptoms do they experience?

PMS is common in Saudi women. The most frequently reported symptoms were severe body aches (40.9%), severe mood swings (37.5%), and mild lack of concentration (36.2%).

Guideline, 2021

How do premenstrual symptoms affect women's work performance and attendance?

Very significantly. Over 90% of the women surveyed reported some premenstrual symptoms, and 40% experienced them moderately or severely. Those with severe symptoms were more likely to be absent from work, arrive late, or leave early.

Survey study, 2021

Does the menstrual cycle affect women's ability to train and compete?

Yes. Women who experienced more frequent menstrual symptoms were significantly more likely to miss or change their training, miss competitions, miss work or school, and use pain medication.

Randomised trial, 2021

Does ulipristal acetate help premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Yes. After 3 months, women taking ulipristal acetate had 41% improvement in symptoms versus 22% with placebo, and 50% achieved full remission versus 21% with placebo.

Systematic review, 2021

Can the herb lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) ease PMS and period pain?

It looks promising. Pooling several small trials found lemon balm reduced PMS symptom severity more than the comparison group, but the evidence base is still too small to be sure.

Survey study, 2021

Does COVID-19 stress affect menstrual cycle regularity?

Women healthcare workers with irregular periods reported significantly higher stress, anxiety, and depression linked to COVID-19 compared to women with regular periods. About 28.7% of the women in the study had irregular cycles during the pandemic.

Survey study, 2021

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect women's menstrual cycles and symptoms?

Nearly half of women reported worsening of their PMS symptoms during the pandemic. Many also reported changes in their menstrual bleeding, increased period pain, and missed periods.

Cohort study, 2020

How common are PMS and painful periods in female medical students, and do they affect school attendance?

Very common. 68% of the 100 students had PMS and 45% had painful periods. Both conditions were linked to missing classes and to being overweight or physically inactive.

Survey study, 2020

Do sleep problems make PMS worse in shift-working nurses?

Yes, poor sleep quality and irregular sleep times are linked to worse PMS. Sleep quality also explains how work stress affects PMS.

Cohort study, 2020

Does sleep duration and sleep timing affect reproductive hormones and ovulation?

Yes, but the effects are modest. For every extra hour of sleep, estradiol increased 3.9% and progesterone increased 9.4%. Less than 7 hours of sleep was linked to earlier hormone peaks, and shift work was linked to lower testosterone.

Case-control study, 2020

Are brain networks organized differently in women with PMDD?

Yes, women with PMDD showed altered communication patterns between brain regions in both cycle phases. The study is relatively small, so results need confirmation in larger groups.

Case-control study, 2019

Do women with PMS eat fewer vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables?

Yes. Women with PMS eat significantly fewer cruciferous vegetables than women without PMS. Women eating the highest amount of cruciferous vegetables had lower odds of having PMS.

Review, 2019

Which contraceptive methods are safest for women with PMDD?

Combined hormonal pills (especially 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol with 3 mg drospirenone) and copper IUDs help PMDD symptoms. Progestin-only methods may worsen mood and need careful monitoring.

Randomised trial, 2019

Do diets with whole grains reduce PMS symptoms in nurses?

Yes. Nurses who ate whole grains instead of refined grains showed clear reductions in general, mood, physical, and behavioural PMS symptoms compared to those who continued their regular diet.

Study, 2019

Do hormone changes during the menstrual cycle affect gum health?

Yes. Gums bleed more and show slightly deeper pockets during the premenstrual period compared to the preovulatory period.

Review, 2019

How do brain changes during reproductive transitions cause depression in women?

A review of brain imaging studies found that depression related to reproductive cycle changes involves different brain activation patterns than typical major depression. Understanding these differences might help develop better treatments, though the causes remain unclear.

Cohort study, 2019

Does insomnia from shift work cause irregular periods?

Yes. Nurses with insomnia had 2-3 times higher odds of developing irregular periods compared to those without insomnia. The more severe the insomnia, the higher the risk.

Survey study, 2018

Does aerobic exercise reduce stress and premenstrual symptoms during the luteal phase?

Yes. Women who did aerobic exercise had lower stress levels and fewer menstrual symptoms than women who did not exercise.

Review, 2018

Do sex hormones cause mood disorders in women at certain times of the cycle?

Evidence suggests women with reproductive mood disorders like PMDD have abnormal sensitivity to normal hormone changes rather than abnormal hormone levels. Normal hormone fluctuations trigger mood problems in some women but not others.

Study, 2018

Do irregular periods and menopause affect thinking and memory in women with schizophrenia?

Yes. Women with schizophrenia who had irregular periods performed worse on tests of processing speed, word fluency, and word memory compared to women with regular periods. Women past menopause had worse performance on visual-spatial thinking.

Case-control study, 2018

Is PMDD linked to suicide attempts?

Yes, women who attempted suicide were significantly more likely to have PMDD than women in the control group. However, regular PMS was not associated with suicide attempts.

Survey study, 2018

How common is PMS in college women and how much does it affect their studies and social life?

PMS is very common. 84.4% of students had PMS, and it seriously interfered with their studies and social activities.

Randomised trial, 2018

Does omega-3 fish oil help with premenstrual symptoms?

Possibly. Most premenstrual symptoms improved significantly, and women in the omega-3 group showed improvement in quality of life, though the placebo group also improved.

Systematic review, 2018

Can herbal remedies help ease PMS symptoms?

A review pulling together 18 Iranian studies found several herbs may help ease PMS symptoms, but it didn't measure how strong or reliable each herb's effect actually was.

Survey study, 2018

How common are premenstrual symptoms in female workers, and does exercise help?

Fatigue (24%), backache (21.2%), and abdominal bloating (17.4%) were the most common symptoms. Women who exercised regularly reported significantly fewer backaches, less irritability, depression, and less crying.

Case-control study, 2018

Do women with atopic dermatitis have more premenstrual syndrome than women without it?

Yes. Women with atopic dermatitis were 13.26 times more likely to have moderate or severe PMS compared to women without atopic dermatitis. This is a strong association.

Guideline, 2017

How should premenstrual disorders be managed?

There is no single best treatment. Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, alternative therapy, antidepressants, ovulation suppression, and diuretics. The choice depends on symptoms, age, family plans, health, and preferences.

Cohort study, 2017

Do birth control pills affect mood in healthy women without PMS?

In healthy women without PMS, birth control pills did not change overall positive or negative mood. However, pill users had fewer mood swings and fewer ruminating negative thoughts.

Cohort study, 2017

How common is PMS in high school students, and what symptoms and problems does it cause?

About 3 in 10 of the Thai high school students in this study had PMS, and the most common symptoms were angry outbursts and breast tenderness. PMS was linked to problems with concentration and schoolwork, but not with how they got along with others.

Systematic review, 2017

How common is PMS among women in Iran?

Very common. Pooling many studies, about 7 in 10 reproductive-age women in Iran had PMS, with the rate highest among high school students.

Survey study, 2017

Can finger length ratio predict how severe premenstrual symptoms will be?

Women whose finger length ratios suggested higher exposure to testosterone before birth tended to have less severe premenstrual symptoms in certain areas. This suggests that prenatal hormone exposure may influence symptom severity, though the connection applied to only some symptoms.

Systematic review, 2017

Does vitamin D status change during the menstrual cycle and is it linked to PMS or PMDD?

The active form of vitamin D rises 13 to 26 percent across the menstrual cycle, but the basic form does not change much. Whether vitamin D is linked to PMS or PMDD remains unclear, with some studies finding a link and most finding none.

Review, 2016

How do reproductive hormones affect mood and behavior in women?

Reproductive hormones are powerful regulators of mood and behavior. Changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can trigger mood problems in women who are biologically sensitive to these changes.

Review, 2016

How do stress and premenstrual symptoms relate to each other?

A review of 48 studies found complex relationships between stress and premenstrual symptoms. However, larger and more rigorous prospective studies are needed to draw firm conclusions.

Survey study, 2016

How many high school students in Japan miss school due to premenstrual symptoms and what increases the risk?

About 1 in 9 girls (11.9%) were absent from school due to premenstrual symptoms. Sleep problems, physical symptoms, reduced social activities, and preference for salty food increased the risk.

Cohort study, 2015

Does sleep get worse before your period?

Yes. Sleep efficiency dropped by 5% and total sleep time was 25 minutes less in the week before the period compared with the week before that.

Survey study, 2015

Does childhood stress cause menstrual cycle problems and lower fertility?

Women who experienced more childhood adversity had increased risk of fertility problems and missing periods. For each additional adverse experience, fertility risk rose 9% and missing periods 7%.

Cohort study, 2015

Does drinking alcohol affect reproductive hormones or menstrual cycle regularity?

Recent alcohol drinks raise reproductive hormone levels, but moderate drinking does not appear to disrupt menstrual cycle regularity in the short term.

Cohort study, 2015

What are the worst PMS symptoms and how much do they disrupt daily life?

Tension and irritability were the most severe PMS symptoms. However, the most bothersome symptoms were headache, irritability, self-deprecating thoughts, and depressed mood, and these had the biggest impact on work and social life.

Randomised trial, 2015

Does spousal support decrease women's premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Yes, it does. When spouses received education about supportive behaviors, women's physical and psychological symptoms decreased significantly after 3 months.

Study, 2015

Does vitamin B6 help reduce PMS symptoms in teenage girls?

Yes. Teenage girls who took vitamin B6 had a greater decrease in PMS symptoms compared to girls who received placebo.

Cohort study, 2015

Does using illicit drugs increase the risk of PMS?

Yes, women using multiple drugs or starting before age 15 had higher odds of PMS. However, this observational study cannot prove drugs cause PMS.

Survey study, 2015

Does evidence-based nursing management reduce PMS severity?

Yes. Women who received evidence-based nursing management for 3 months (3 menstrual cycles) had statistically significant reductions in symptom severity.

Study, 2015

Does weight preoccupation change during the menstrual cycle, and what causes these changes?

Yes, weight preoccupation is highest in the premenstrual and menstrual phases. However, hormones are not the main cause. Emotional eating is the strongest predictor of when women worry more about weight during the cycle.

Case-control study, 2015

Does a Western diet increase PMS risk?

Possibly, but evidence is mixed. Women eating more Western diet appear more likely to have PMS, but the pattern is not entirely consistent across all groups.

Review, 2014

How does the menstrual cycle affect thinking, memory, and emotions?

The evidence for how the menstrual cycle affects thinking and memory is weak and inconsistent. However, emotional changes are more consistently related to the cycle, with high progesterone levels linked to stronger emotional processing in the brain.

Survey study, 2014

How common are PMDD and PMS?

Both are common. PMDD affects 3 to 8 percent of women of childbearing age, while PMS affects 20 to 30 percent. Both significantly reduce quality of life and work productivity.

Survey study, 2014

Is a short six-question survey reliable for measuring PMS impact on daily life?

Yes. The Turkish version of the Premenstrual Symptoms Impact Survey is reliable and valid for measuring how much PMS affects women's daily functioning and well-being.

Lab study, 2014

Do women with PMS have different eye movement patterns?

Yes. Women with PMS show different eye tracking patterns during the late luteal phase, particularly when tracking slow-moving targets.

Case-control study, 2013

Does eating more minerals help prevent PMS?

Women eating more iron had lower PMS risk, but women eating more potassium had higher risk. This suggests some minerals might help prevent PMS, but the evidence was mixed.

Survey study, 2013

What increases depression risk in women of reproductive age?

Early motherhood, having three or more children, low education, and high premenstrual symptoms increased depression risk. Overall, 32.8% had depression, but only 10.4% received treatment.

Survey study, 2013

Do past PMS symptoms predict how severe your menopause symptoms will be?

Yes. Women with more severe pain, concentration problems, or water retention during the premenstrual phase were more likely to have severe physical symptoms during menopause.

Cohort study, 2013

If a woman has bad symptoms before her period, does she also have more symptoms in early pregnancy?

Yes, women with worse premenstrual symptoms, especially irritability, also had more symptoms in early pregnancy (weeks 10-12), suggesting that some women may be sensitive to hormonal changes across reproductive phases.

Survey study, 2012

How common are PMS and PMDD, and how much do they affect women's lives?

PMS symptoms are very common in women during reproductive years. PMDD affects 3-8% of women and causes significant reductions in quality of life and daily activities.

Study, 2012

Is low progesterone linked to aggressive behavior and fatigue before menstruation?

Yes. Women with lower aggressive behavior and fatigue had higher progesterone levels during the second half of the cycle. The study suggests that low progesterone may contribute to aggressive behavior and fatigue.

Review, 2012

How does the menstrual cycle affect thinking and memory skills?

Healthy women show small changes in cognitive performance across the menstrual cycle, with worse performance in the luteal phase. Women with PMS or PMDD show even greater decline, but the difference is small.

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Yes. Depression tied to hormonal changes appears in the same women across three life stages (premenstrual, after birth, and menopause). Transdermal estrogen patches may be more effective as first-line treatment than antidepressants.

Survey study, 2012

Does your personality type affect your hormone levels during your menstrual cycle?

Yes. Women with higher activity and endurance and lower emotional reactivity had nearly twice the estrogen levels and more favorable progesterone patterns than women with opposite traits.

Survey study, 2011

How do premenstrual symptoms change as women age, and what factors influence them?

Premenstrual symptoms follow different patterns as women age: some stay the same, some decrease, some peak around age 35, and others peak around age 40-44. Smoking is linked to more symptoms, and having more pregnancies is linked to fewer symptoms.

Survey study, 2011

What medications do young women use for period cramps?

Young women in Taiwan use both Western medicines like Panadol and traditional Chinese medicines like Si-Wu-Tang. Women with more symptoms were more likely to use any type of medication.

Survey study, 2011

How common is premenstrual syndrome in Sri Lankan adolescent schoolgirls and how does it affect them?

About 8.75% of Sri Lankan adolescent schoolgirls have premenstrual syndrome. It significantly interferes with school activities, relationships, and daily routines.

Randomised trial, 2011

Does sumatriptan-naproxen help women with period migraines and period pain function better?

Yes, women given the combination drug reported higher satisfaction, better work productivity, and less functional disability compared to placebo at 24 hours.

Study, 2010

Does pregnancy or menstruation affect OCD symptoms?

Yes. About 1 in 3 women with OCD saw symptoms start during pregnancy or after birth. Women whose OCD began during this time are more likely to have worsening with their period.

Case-control study, 2010

Do lesbian and bisexual women have different reproductive health than heterosexual women?

The study found that lesbian and bisexual women had less gynecological screening and more sexually transmitted infections, but response rate differences may have affected the findings.

Cohort study, 2010

What factors affect the risk of getting PMDD?

In a large Polish study, only women's educational level significantly reduced PMDD risk. Most other reproductive and lifestyle factors tested did not show a significant effect.

Case-control study, 2009

Does alcohol use increase the risk of developing PMS or PMDD?

Alcohol use is not strongly linked to developing PMS or PMDD. Starting to drink before age 18 or long-term drinking may minimally increase risk, but the increases are small.

Survey study, 2008

What factors are linked to PMS in Thai nurses?

Coffee consumption and having a negative attitude toward menstruation are the strongest factors linked to PMS in this group. 25.1% of Thai nurses have PMS.

Survey study, 2008

Do women with epilepsy have different hormone patterns or menstrual-related seizures?

Yes. Women with epilepsy had lower levels of certain reproductive hormones compared to healthy women, and about 31% had seizures that relate to their menstrual cycle.

Case-control study, 2007

Does progesterone activate the part of the brain that handles fear and emotion?

In 18 healthy women, taking progesterone doses that matched luteal phase levels significantly increased activity in the amygdala (the brain's emotion and fear center) when viewing emotional images. This may explain why progesterone could cause anxiety in women with PMDD.

Survey study, 2007

Is depression before a period linked to depression at menopause?

Yes. Women who were depressed premenstrually also tend to be depressed around menopause, suggesting a shared cause that may involve hormones, psychology, or both. This link held regardless of age or hormone therapy use.

Case-control study, 2007

Are there genes that increase the risk of PMDD?

Genetic variations in the ESR1 gene (which codes for estrogen receptor alpha) appear linked to PMDD mood symptoms, suggesting genetic factors contribute to who develops the condition. This was found in a study of women with PMDD and unaffected controls.

Cohort study, 2006

Does the hormone change at menopause cause depressed mood in women who have never been depressed before?

Yes. In this study women with no history of depression were much more likely to have high depression scores and diagnosed depressive disorders during the menopause transition, and this was linked to changing hormone levels, not just age.

Review, 2006

How do reproductive hormones affect mood in women with PMDD?

Reproductive hormones regulate emotional processing and mood through specific brain circuits. The key question is why normal hormone levels destabilize mood in some women but not others.

Cohort study, 2005

How do work stress and hormones affect mood during the menstrual cycle?

Both menstrual cycle phase and stress hormones (norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol) affect mood. High stress hormone levels linked to more stress and tiredness and less happiness. The menstrual cycle phase also mattered but effects depended on stress hormone levels.

Review, 2005

Do birth control pills help with menstrual problems?

Yes. Birth control pills reduce heavy periods, painful periods, and irregular bleeding. Many women also see improvement in acne and excess hair growth.

Cohort study, 2004

How much does PMS affect work productivity and daily activities?

Women with PMS missed significantly more work (2.5 days per month vs. 1.3 days) and had more low-productivity days (7.2 vs. 4.2 days per month). This shows PMS causes substantial real-world impacts on work and daily life.

Case-control study, 2004

Do menstrual characteristics and pregnancy history predict depression risk?

Yes, earlier age at first period, heavier periods, and irregular periods in early menstruation predicted higher depression risk. Women with multiple miscarriages or abortions had 2-3 times higher depression risk.

Study, 2004

How do work and time off affect women's moods during different phases of their menstrual cycle?

Work days made women feel more anxious, stressed, and tired compared to days off. Menstrual cycle phase also affected mood, but the effect depended on whether it was a work or off day and on the woman's personality traits.

Cohort study, 2003

Does depression affect when women enter menopause?

Women with a history of depression may enter menopause earlier than others. Those with more severe depression who also took antidepressants had nearly 3 times the risk of early menopause, though this is based on observation rather than a controlled test.

Study, 2003

Does the stress response system work differently in women with PMS across the menstrual cycle?

Women with PMS failed to show the normal increased stress hormone response during the luteal phase that women without PMS show. Progesterone, not estrogen, appears to control this stress response.

Survey study, 2003

How many women have PMDD and how serious is it?

3-8 percent of women meet strict PMDD criteria, but 13-18 percent experience severe symptoms that disrupt daily life. The impact on quality of life is as serious as major depression.

Survey study, 2002

What does research show about period pain and discomfort?

A review of 33 research papers from 1992-1999 shows that period pain and discomfort are common, often occur together with other symptoms including mood changes, and meaningfully affect women's daily life. Seven categories of treatment approaches were identified.

Case-control study, 2002

Does mercury exposure at work affect period pain and menstrual symptoms?

Yes, women exposed to mercury vapor at work have significantly higher rates of period pain and cramping. Since this is observational research, it shows association but not definite causation.

Case-control study, 2002

Do menstrual characteristics and PMS differ in women with Parkinson's disease?

Overall, women with Parkinson's disease had similar menstrual characteristics and PMS rates as healthy women. However, women whose disease started before menopause had notably more severe PMS and dysmenorrhea than those with later disease onset.

Survey study, 2002

What is the economic and work impact of premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

PMDD mainly reduces work productivity and how well women function during the week before and after their period, rather than increasing health care costs or causing women to miss work entirely.

Cohort study, 2002

Does PMDD cause more healthcare costs and work loss than other premenstrual symptoms?

PMDD affects work productivity more than healthcare costs. Women with PMDD reported significantly lower productivity for 5-10 days after their period starts, but did not use more healthcare or spend more on medical services.

Review, 2002

What are the reproductive-related mood disorders and how are they connected?

Mood and anxiety disorders are more common in women around menstruation, after childbirth, and during perimenopause. They all appear linked to changes in ovarian hormones.

Survey study, 2000

How does PMS severity affect whether women seek treatment for PMS?

PMS severity matters for how much it interferes with life, but many women with severe PMS don't seek treatment. About 4.9 percent report severe symptoms, while 11.3 percent meet criteria for PMDD. Women who do seek help are typically older and have symptoms in most cycles.

Survey study, 1999

How common are menstrual problems in teenage girls and do they relate to early puberty?

Menstrual pain was very common (69.60%), and over half the girls (51.20%) had PMS symptoms. Girls who started menstruating earlier experienced significantly more menstrual pain.

Survey study, 1999

How much do premenstrual symptoms affect women's work and daily life?

Premenstrual symptoms significantly affect daily life and work. About 80% of women report irritability, fatigue, and bloating. Over half of working women report some impact on work. Nearly three-quarters have never sought treatment, even though effective medicines exist.

Review, 1998

How does estrogen affect serotonin and what does this mean for mood disorders like PMS?

Estrogen modulates serotonin in the brain, and this interaction is likely important for understanding PMS and perimenopausal depression. This is a theoretical framework synthesizing existing research, not a new experimental finding.

Case-control study, 1998

Do women with PMS get hot flashes?

Most women with PMS experience episodes like hot flashes. They happen about 5.6 times per cycle on average, much more often than in women without cycle-related symptoms.

Survey study, 1996

How common is infertility in older women and what conditions are linked to it?

Permanent infertility affects 2.6% of women aged 40-42, and subfertility affects 7.7%. Premenstrual tension is more common in infertile women (almost 40%) than in fertile women (29.4%).

Survey study, 1996

Do women who experienced sexual assault have worse PMS symptoms?

Yes. Women with a history of sexual assault were about 2.39 times more likely to experience worse premenstrual distress, even when depression was accounted for. Women assaulted repeatedly by the same person had even higher risk.

Randomised trial, 1995

Do vaginal progesterone suppositories relieve PMS symptoms?

Overall PMS scores were not significantly better with progesterone than placebo, but a specific group of 'nervous' symptoms, tension, mood swings, irritability, anxiety and lack of control, did improve significantly.

Cohort study, 1995

Do working conditions affect PMS symptoms?

Yes. A study of 539 hospital workers found that physical demands like lifting and work stress were associated with worse perimenstrual symptoms including pain and swelling.

Survey study, 1993

Are women with menopause distress more likely to have had past depression linked to their periods?

Yes, clearly. Women with high distress at menopause were much more likely to report past depression, needing antidepressant treatment, distress from birth control, PMS symptoms, baby blues, and postpartum depression.

Review, 1990

How common is PMS and what are the best ways to treat it?

PMS is common among women of reproductive age, especially in their 30s or older. Treatment can include exercise, diet, vitamins, and medications such as progesterone or birth control pills, with support and counseling being especially important.

Study, 1988

What happens when women take a drug that blocks progesterone during the second half of their menstrual cycle?

The drug triggered menstruation in 43% of women and caused a temperature drop in 56%. It also changed mood in 23% and made major changes to the womb lining.

Review, 1988

How do reproductive hormones affect mood across a woman's life?

This review examines mood and behavioral changes linked to hormone shifts during the menstrual cycle, birth control use, pregnancy, postpartum period, and perimenopause. It recommends better ways to measure and report symptoms.

Randomised trial, 2026

Is Pilates exercise more effective than stretching for reducing PMS symptoms?

Yes. In this small randomized trial of 20 college students with PMS, Pilates was significantly better than stretching exercises at reducing symptoms.

Survey study, 2026

Do women with ADHD have worse menstrual, pregnancy, and menopause symptoms?

Yes, in this large survey women with ADHD reported significantly more menstrual irregularity, worse premenstrual symptoms, higher postpartum depression, and more severe menopausal symptoms than women without ADHD.

Survey study, 2026

Why do some women's moods react strongly to hormone changes across the cycle while others don't?

This review explains that 'hormone sensitivity' is not one single thing but many, and that while most women are not strongly affected by hormone swings, some are much more sensitive, especially those with existing mood disorders; the exact reasons are still being studied.

Survey study, 2026

Why is understanding PMS awareness in teenage girls important?

PMS is under-recognized in adolescents and many teenage girls have knowledge gaps about it. Better awareness and education could help young women recognize and manage symptoms earlier.

Survey study, 2026

Do nursing students understand premenstrual syndrome?

96% of 149 nursing students demonstrated good knowledge of PMS and 96% had positive attitudes toward it. Higher knowledge was associated with more positive attitudes.

Survey study, 2026

Is PMS severity linked to muscle and joint pain in nursing students?

Nursing students with higher PMS severity had significantly more widespread pain in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips, and those with pain used more healthcare services and took more sick leave. The link is strong.

Survey study, 2026

Are PMDD, anxiety, and internet use linked to cognitive problems in women?

In this study of women aged 19-45 with anxiety, those who also had PMDD, severe anxiety lasting 5 or more years, or problematic internet use showed associations with cognitive problems including memory and concentration difficulties.

Systematic review, 2026

Does childhood trauma increase the risk for PMS, PMDD, and related mood disorders?

Yes, childhood trauma appears to increase the risk for these mood disorders. Emotional abuse in childhood was most strongly linked. Childhood trauma may make women more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.

Survey study, 2026

How do PMS, sleep, activity, and weight affect how women feel about their bodies?

Women with worse PMS, poorer sleep, higher weight, and more sitting time felt worse about their bodies. These factors worked together, with PMS having an independent effect beyond just weight.

Cohort study, 2026

How are meal timing and sleep timing associated with PMS symptoms and menstrual pain?

Meal and sleep timing were associated with PMS symptoms and menstrual pain, but the connections differed between workdays and free days. Because this was a cross-sectional study, we cannot be sure if changing meal or sleep times would actually improve symptoms.

Survey study, 2026

Could hormonal changes and immune problems explain menstrual issues in autistic women?

This paper proposes that autistic women may experience severe menstrual and reproductive health problems because their immune cells react strongly to hormonal changes during menstruation and pregnancy. This proposed connection has not yet been tested.

Cohort study, 2026

Can one questionnaire help doctors tell the difference between PMS, PMDD, and other mood disorders?

Researchers created a new questionnaire called COMPASS designed to help doctors distinguish PMS, PMDD, and perimenopause from conditions like depression, personality disorders, and trauma disorders that cause similar symptoms.

Interview study, 2026

How do hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle affect women with ADHD?

Women with ADHD reported feeling energetic and productive around ovulation, but struggling with low energy and difficulty managing tasks during the premenstrual week. Healthcare providers often didn't understand this connection.

Survey study, 2026

Does COVID-19 vaccination cause menstrual cycle changes?

Yes, COVID-19 vaccination is associated with changes in PMS symptoms and cycle duration, especially Moderna affecting pain severity. However, this is based on a survey with no control group, so we cannot be certain vaccination directly caused the changes.

Survey study, 2026

Does an herbal complex help women with menstrual cycle problems?

After 3 months, prolactin levels decreased and progesterone levels increased. No side effects were reported, but the small size and lack of a control group make it unclear if the herb caused these changes.

Non-randomised trial, 2026

Does high-intensity interval training help women with PMDD?

In this study of 35 women with PMDD, 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training significantly reduced symptom severity, pain, and inflammation markers. There was no control group, so we cannot be certain the improvement came from exercise alone.

Non-randomised trial, 2026

Does yoga help reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes. Yoga significantly reduced PMS symptoms, with 55 to 79% improvement in different symptoms. However, there was no control group for comparison.

Interview study, 2026

How does PMDD change how women feel about themselves in their relationships?

This study interviewed 20 women with PMDD to understand how the condition affects their sense of self as partners, mothers, and friends. The abstract does not include what the researchers actually found.

Survey study, 2026

Does a traditional Chinese herb help PMS?

In rats with PMS-like symptoms, Honghua Xiaoyao tablets improved mood-related behaviors and normalized stress hormones. But this is rat research, not human studies, so it cannot tell us if the herb helps real women with PMS.

Survey study, 2026

Does PMS make it harder for women to work and do daily activities?

Women with PMS did not perform worse on specific work tasks, but those with more severe PMS reported lower quality of life. Maintaining a regular daily routine appeared to help work performance in women with PMS.

Survey study, 2026

Do difficult childhood experiences lead to worse PMS symptoms as an adult?

Yes. Among 399 university students in Türkiye, 71.7% had PMS symptoms, and those who reported difficult childhood experiences had worse PMS symptoms. Difficult childhood experiences and worse PMS were clearly linked.

Survey study, 2026

How aware are female students of PMDD and how does it affect their schoolwork?

Most female students have low awareness of PMDD and rarely discuss it with teachers. PMDD symptoms make it hard to concentrate in class. This was only a survey in Nigeria, so results may not apply elsewhere.

Review, 2026

Do men experience premenstrual syndrome?

No. Men do not experience PMS in the strict sense because PMS is defined in relation to the menstrual cycle, which men do not have. However, men may experience recurrent mood, energy, and behavior changes from different biological and social causes.

Survey study, 2026

Are female nurses with higher occupational stress more likely to have premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Yes. Nurses with high workplace stress and overload had significantly more PMS symptoms than nurses with low stress.

Survey study, 2026

Which lifestyle habits are linked to PMS in teenage girls?

Poor sleep and high stress predict PMS, with stress being strongest (AOR=6.468); exercise was not linked. However, this was a small study in one school in Indonesia, so findings may not generalize.

Systematic review, 2026

What do we know about PMDD in autistic people and those with ADHD?

Very little research exists on PMDD specifically in autistic people and those with ADHD. Early evidence suggests they may experience more severe symptoms and face barriers to diagnosis, but we cannot yet say for certain.

Survey study, 2026

Do longer periods mean worse PMS?

Yes, women whose periods last longer than seven days were more likely to have PMS. When they got their first period and their weight did not affect PMS.

Non-randomised trial, 2026

Does peer counseling via social media improve adolescent girls' attitudes toward managing PMS?

Yes, possibly. Girls with good attitudes toward PMS increased from 20% to 65% after social media-based peer counseling. However, this study had no control group, so we cannot be certain counseling caused the improvement.

Non-randomised trial, 2026

Can yoga reduce PMS pain in teenage girls?

Yes, in this small study yoga therapy significantly reduced PMS pain intensity, but the study was small and had no comparison group.

Study, 2026

How does PMDD affect women's work and careers?

PMDD causes major challenges at work. Women struggle with concentration, relationships with coworkers, and confidence during the two weeks before their period. They may continue working but do not perform at their usual level, affecting long-term career development.

Review, 2026

Can traditional Ayurvedic medicine help manage premenstrual symptoms?

An Ayurvedic review suggests that dietary changes, herbal remedies like Ashoka and Shatavari, yoga, and meditation can help manage premenstrual symptoms by balancing the body's systems, though no clinical trial data is presented.

Study, 2026

What is premenstrual syndrome and how can it be treated?

PMS is a common condition affecting women of reproductive age with mood, emotional, and physical symptoms. It can be managed with lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and medication.

Survey study, 2026

How many teenage girls in Nepal have PMS and how does it affect them?

Almost two-thirds of teenage girls in this school have PMS. It most strongly affects their friendships and school engagement, but less than 5% report low grades.

Survey study, 2026

Are PMS and depression connected in nursing students?

38.9% had moderate-to-severe PMS and 12.2% had PMDD. Depression was slightly more common in women with PMS (54.3% vs 47.3%), but this difference was not statistically significant.

Study, 2026

How can lifestyle changes help reduce premenstrual syndrome?

Most women (75%) experience some premenstrual symptoms, but about 10% have severe symptoms. Exercise, diet changes, sleep, and stress reduction can help manage PMS.

Survey study, 2026

Is severe PMS associated with insomnia risk in working women?

The study could not find a statistically significant link. However, women with severe PMS had nearly 5 times higher odds of insomnia, suggesting a real trend that needs further research.

Survey study, 2026

What factors are linked to PMS in women aged 15-49?

PMS was found in 68.4% of women. Younger age, sedentary lifestyle, junk food, high stress, irregular periods, and period pain were strongly linked to PMS. Lifestyle and stress play a major role.

Survey study, 2026

Does PMS affect work or family relationships differently?

PMS affected 55.3% of women, mostly with moderate severity. It had greater impact on family relationships than on work. Work status was not linked to PMS severity.

Survey study, 2026

How common is PMS among medical students and how does it relate to productivity?

75.2% had PMS. Those with PMS reported much less productivity (73.4% versus 14.5% without), more stress, and used more pain medication.

Survey study, 2026

Is premenstrual syndrome more common in women with higher body weight?

PMS was most common in normal weight women (33%) and overweight women (30%), not clearly linked to obesity (22%). The study cannot explain why.

Survey study, 2026

How common is PMS in female university students in Lebanon and what factors increase the risk?

Nearly half (46.8%) had moderate-to-severe PMS and 16.5% had PMDD. Smoking, heavy periods, skipping meals, fast food, social media, and high stress were significantly associated with increased risk. Most women used NSAIDs, but less than half found them very effective.

Survey study, 2026

Does eating more antioxidant-rich foods help prevent or reduce PMS?

Yes. Women eating the most antioxidant-rich foods had 64% lower odds of PMS than those eating the least, with the biggest improvements in anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, depression and muscle/joint pain.

Survey study, 2026

Do childhood traumas affect how women cope with PMS?

Yes. Women who experienced childhood trauma reported worse ways of coping with PMS, and this was partly because of harmful beliefs about sexuality that developed from their trauma.

Survey study, 2026

Can watching a YouTube video teach teenage girls more about PMS?

Yes, in this small study, a YouTube-based health talk clearly improved girls' knowledge about PMS, but it only measured knowledge, not whether symptoms improved.

Survey study, 2026

Does physical activity help reduce PMS symptoms in female students?

Yes. Women with moderate to heavy physical activity had significantly less frequent and less severe PMS compared to those with light physical activity.

Survey study, 2026

How do PMS and PMDD affect work life?

In this study, 19.5% of women had PMS and 31.1% had PMDD. Women who couldn't take time off work but wanted to had more severe symptoms.

Interview study, 2026

What do female employees and high school girls understand about PMDD?

High school girls were more aware of PMDD than working women, though both groups understood roughly the same amount. Being more aware did not necessarily mean understanding the condition better.

Survey study, 2026

Is climate change worry linked to worse PMS and lower quality of life?

Yes. Women more worried about climate change have worse PMS symptoms and lower quality of life, both physically and mentally, though the study cannot prove anxiety causes PMS.

Cohort study, 2026

How do motivation and emotion control change across the menstrual cycle?

This abstract describes a research study design but ends abruptly and provides no results, so no answer can be given.

Interview study, 2026

What do women and their partners think about a PMS tracking app?

Users appreciated features that help understand symptom patterns and context, and liked partner-sharing and AI suggestions. This shows what people want, but not whether the app improves health.

Study, 2026

What is Japan's obstetrics and gynecology society doing about PMS and PMDD awareness?

This report describes committee activities for the 2025 fiscal year, including work on raising awareness of PMS and PMDD, but it does not present new research results or test any treatment.

Review, 2025

What are the most effective ways to manage mild premenstrual syndrome?

Lifestyle changes including exercise, healthy eating, reducing caffeine and salt, and stress management can help. Some supplements like evening primrose oil and calcium may offer modest benefits.

Survey study, 2025

How do social support and physical activity affect PMS?

Women with more social support and those who exercised more had fewer PMS symptoms. Socioeconomic status and age also played a role.

Survey study, 2025

What knowledge do nursing students have about PMS?

Nursing students have good PMS knowledge. 64% had excellent knowledge and 27% had good knowledge, with average score of 72.04%.

Survey study, 2025

How much do high school girls know about PMS?

High school girls have very low PMS knowledge. 75% had poor knowledge, and girls from rural areas knew significantly less than those from urban areas.

Survey study, 2025

What factors most affect premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls?

Poor sleep quality was the strongest factor. Girls with poor sleep had 9 times higher risk of PMS than girls with good sleep.

Cohort study, 2025

Does worse PMS pain and concentration problems affect a woman's balance during her cycle?

Yes. Women with more pain and concentration problems during menstruation had poorer balance. Women with worse overall symptoms before their period also had poorer balance, though the study was very small with no comparison group.

Survey study, 2025

Does having asthma or eczema make premenstrual symptoms worse?

Yes. Women with asthma had symptom scores 2.68 points higher than those without, and women with both conditions had scores 4.8 points higher. This cross-sectional study cannot establish whether asthma causes worse PMS.

Survey study, 2025

Are PMDD symptoms linked to depression and anxiety?

Yes. Women with higher PMDD-type symptom scores were much more likely to have depression and anxiety, and most women with PMDD had severe depression and moderate-to-high anxiety.

Survey study, 2025

Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect menstrual cycles and PMS symptoms?

Yes. The study found a clear link between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes, with more changes in certain age groups and those with different period patterns.

Survey study, 2025

What causes premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and how common are they?

This review article explains the known biological, genetic and lifestyle factors behind premenstrual disorders rather than testing a treatment; it reports that any premenstrual disorder may affect up to 87% of women.

Non-randomised trial, 2025

Does an educational video help teenagers with PMS knowledge and anxiety?

Yes. The study found the video was effective at increasing knowledge and improving behavior and reducing anxiety in teenagers with PMS (p = 0.0001). However, there was no control group so we cannot be certain the video caused the changes.

Study, 2025

Can saffron extract help with PMS or PMDD symptoms?

This review of existing studies suggests saffron extracts, such as a standardized form called Affron, may improve mood and reduce anxiety and depression in PMS and PMDD, with few side effects. It summarizes other research rather than a new trial, so certainty is limited.

Non-randomised trial, 2025

Does ubiquinol supplement improve menstrual symptoms?

Possibly, especially in women over 36. In a small open-label pilot study, ubiquinol improved symptom control and mood during premenstrual and menstrual phases, particularly in women 36 and older, and improved sleep quality in that age group.

Survey study, 2025

Can a plant-based supplement reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes, a multi-ingredient plant-based supplement taken daily for three months significantly reduced anger, irritability, mood problems, and other PMS symptoms in most women. Without a control group, some improvement might be due to placebo effect or natural changes over time.

Survey study, 2025

Does iron level change during different phases of the menstrual cycle?

Yes. Iron levels are lower in the follicular phase before ovulation than in the luteal phase after ovulation. This was one school study, so it may not apply to all girls.

Survey study, 2025

How does premenstrual syndrome change in women during wartime compared to peacetime?

During wartime, women with PMS had much worse symptoms: 2.1 times more anxiety and sleep problems, plus greater loss of emotional control and lower working capacity. The study is limited to one war region.

Survey study, 2025

What are women's experiences getting healthcare for PMS and PMDD?

Many women with PMS and PMDD face long delays and see multiple doctors. They often report poor quality care and poor mental health outcomes.

Survey study, 2025

Is childhood trauma connected to premenstrual syndrome?

Yes, women with premenstrual syndrome experienced more childhood abuse and neglect, which were associated with more severe symptoms. The evidence is limited because only 437 women were surveyed in Turkey.

Non-randomised trial, 2025

Does COVID-19 infection make premenstrual symptoms worse?

Yes. In this small study of 19 Iranian women, 80.65% experienced worsening PMS symptoms after COVID-19 infection, particularly mood and emotional symptoms. However, the very small sample size means findings may not apply broadly.

Survey study, 2025

Does job stress increase menstruation-related symptoms, and does psychological distress play a role?

Yes, high job demands and low coworker support were linked to worse menstruation-related symptoms, and psychological distress appeared to be an important factor. This is a cross-sectional study so it cannot prove that stress causes symptoms.

Survey study, 2025

Does fitness predict injury, mental health, and menstrual disruption in female emergency workers?

Several physical fitness measures predict future injury, depression, and burnout in female emergency workers and healthcare providers. Surprisingly, better lower body fitness was linked to future menstrual disruptions.

Survey study, 2025

Do PMS and menopausal symptoms make loneliness worse when women experience COVID-related stress?

Yes, PMS symptoms were associated with greater loneliness in pre-menopausal women with COVID-related stress, particularly through the emotional symptoms of PMS.

Cohort study, 2025

Are sleep problems linked to PMS symptoms and menstrual problems?

Yes, strongly. Women with sleep problems were almost 4 times more likely to have PMS and more than 7 times more likely to have menstrual bleeding problems. However, this was a cross-sectional study so we do not know if sleep problems cause PMS or if PMS causes sleep problems.

Survey study, 2025

How common is PMS and how much does it affect quality of life?

About 6 in 10 women studied had PMS, and it significantly reduced their quality of life.

Review, 2025

How do PMS symptoms change as women age?

PMS symptoms change with age and life stage. Women are particularly vulnerable during the menopausal transition. Women with PMS have higher risk of depression during hormonal changes.

Survey study, 2025

How common are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Saudi Arabia?

Nearly two-thirds of Saudi women surveyed had clinically significant PMS and 12.2% had the more severe PMDD, with mood problems being the most common symptoms.

Survey study, 2025

Does childhood trauma affect PMS symptoms and how women experience childbirth?

Yes, childhood trauma, especially emotional and physical neglect, was linked to both PMS and traumatic childbirth perception. Reproductive health education appeared to reduce this effect.

Survey study, 2025

How common is PMS among reproductive-aged women, and what are the main symptoms?

About 46% had PMS. Anxiety and bloating were the most common symptoms, affecting most of those with PMS.

Survey study, 2025

What is premenstrual syndrome and how can it be managed in adolescent girls?

PMS is a combination of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms affecting 70-90% of women of reproductive age in Indonesia. It can be managed with medications like NSAIDs and antidepressants, or non-medication approaches like exercise and lifestyle changes.

Survey study, 2025

How common are PMS and PMDD among female university students in Afghanistan?

Very common. 88.8% of students screened positive for either moderate to severe PMS (27.1%) or PMDD (61.7%).

Survey study, 2025

How common is PMS or PMDD in Indian women and how much do they know about it?

Very common. 92% had symptoms and 78% screened positive for PMS or PMDD. But 85% had little or no knowledge about these conditions.

Survey study, 2025

How common are menstrual problems in medical students and what causes them?

Most medical students have menstrual problems. The most common are severe period cramps (76%), PMS (69%), and irregular periods (29%). Stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise are major causes.

Survey study, 2025

How common are painful periods and PMS in medical students and how much do they affect their lives?

Painful periods affected 41.5% and PMS affected 62.02% of medical students. These caused significant problems including missing school for up to a week or more, trouble concentrating, and sleep problems. Most students did not seek professional help.

Survey study, 2025

Does following a Mediterranean diet reduce PMS?

Following a Mediterranean diet overall does not appear to reduce PMS risk, but women with PMS tended to drink more wine.

Lab study, 2025

How does Shuyu capsule help depression during the premenstrual phase?

This mouse study shows the medicine may work by increasing specific brain nerve cells and reducing a receptor protein. Results cannot yet be confirmed in women with PMDD.

Review, 2025

What is the menstrual cycle and how do menstrual disorders affect women?

The menstrual cycle has four phases with complex hormonal and physical changes. Several disorders including PMS and PMDD significantly impact quality of life. New tracking apps and wearable devices can help monitor cycles and health.

Study, 2025

Could taking a combination of vitamins and minerals help with PMS and PMDD symptoms?

This paper proposes a theoretical framework linking low or borderline vitamin and mineral intake to many health problems, including PMS and PMDD, but it is not a new study testing a supplement in women, so it cannot tell us how well any particular combination actually works.

Survey study, 2025

Does physical activity reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

No clear link was found. The study found no clear relationship between how much physical activity women did and how severe their PMS symptoms were.

Survey study, 2025

Does climate change anxiety affect premenstrual syndrome?

Women with PMS had higher climate change anxiety scores. Women who felt affected by climate change were 2.1 times more likely to have PMS, though the study design doesn't show whether anxiety causes PMS or vice versa.

Survey study, 2025

Does psychological stress change the menstrual cycle and mood?

During the early COVID-19 pandemic when there was high stress, women reported both psychological symptoms and changes to their menstrual cycles. Close to 90% of women with several psychological symptoms also had changes in their menstrual cycles.

Review, 2025

Do changing hormone levels across the menstrual cycle and into menopause affect mental health?

Yes, this review says that shifts in estrogen and progesterone across the reproductive lifespan are linked to mood conditions like PMS, PMDD, and mood problems during perimenopause and menopause, but it does not test this directly, it summarises other research.

Survey study, 2025

What lifestyle and body composition factors are associated with PMS in young women?

Extra caffeine and salt consumption were significantly linked to PMS. Poor diet, alcohol, and smoking were also associated with menstrual problems, and PMS severely affected social life and daily activities.

Survey study, 2025

Do personality traits and emotion control affect PMS?

Women with lower self-directedness and cooperativeness, and higher harm avoidance, tend to have PMS. Difficulty controlling emotions partly explains this link.

Review, 2025

Does nutrition affect PMS and menstrual cycle regularity?

Yes, good nutrition supports regular periods and helps PMS, especially anti-inflammatory diets with magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin D. More research is needed for specific dietary guidelines.

Survey study, 2024

How many nursing officers have PMS and what coping measures do they use?

About 63% of nursing officers in a study had PMS, and most used strategies like rest, exercise, or calcium to cope. This was a very small study, so the results may not apply to all nursing officers.

Case report, 2024

Can learning to notice sensory changes help women with PMDD manage their symptoms?

In one hospitalized woman with PMDD, occupational therapy that taught her to notice sensory changes helped her feel more in control and do more daily activities.

Non-randomised trial, 2024

Does PMS education and medical help reduce symptoms and improve work performance?

Medical help reduced one type of symptom (intermenstrual symptoms) in women with moderate-to-severe PMS, but did not clearly improve other symptoms or work productivity. Very few women sought help despite education.

Review, 2024

Is saffron as effective as fluoxetine for treating PMDD?

This review examines whether the herbal remedy saffron works as well as fluoxetine, an antidepressant used for PMDD. Both work through similar brain mechanisms, but the review doesn't conclude which is more effective.

Case-control study, 2024

Do women with PCOS have worse PMS symptoms and mental health than women without it?

Yes, in this study women with PCOS had more severe PMS symptoms and worse mental health scores than women without PCOS.

Non-randomised trial, 2024

Does lavender aromatherapy reduce anxiety during premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls?

Yes, lavender aromatherapy significantly reduced anxiety levels during PMS. Most girls shifted from moderate to mild anxiety after treatment.

Study, 2024

How severe is pain in women with PMS?

Women with PMS experience severe pain symptoms. The study shows this by comparing women with PMS to women without PMS.

Survey study, 2024

How many women worldwide have PMS, and how does it vary by region and income level?

The number of women with PMS globally increased from 652.5 million in 1990 to 956.0 million in 2019, a 46.5% increase, though the rate per population stayed stable.

Survey study, 2024

Do social workers understand PMS and PMDD and how does this affect their assessment of mothers?

Social workers scored 60.5% on average on a PMS/PMDD knowledge test, and only 5.1% asked about these conditions when assessing mothers.

Survey study, 2024

Does PMS affect women's quality of life at work?

About 23% of women employees had PMS, and those with PMS had significantly lower work-related quality of life than those without. However, this was from one manufacturing company, so results may not apply elsewhere.

Study, 2024

How do menstrual hormones affect sleep?

Hormones from the menstrual cycle affect sleep, mood, body temperature, and stress responses. Women with PMS or PCOS often have sleep problems, and women with more emotional premenstrual symptoms tend to be sleepier in the week before their period.

Interview study, 2024

What do men think about menstruation and menstrual discs?

Most male clients had limited knowledge and viewed menstruation as dirty or risky. When shown a menstrual disc, most accepted it as safe and hygienic.

Survey study, 2024

How common is PMDD among medical students, and is it linked to stress?

About one in six health science students had PMDD, and one in four had PMS. Students with PMDD or moderate-to-severe PMS had notably higher stress levels than those without these symptoms.

Survey study, 2024

How severe are PMS symptoms in working women teachers, and how are different symptom types related?

PMS symptoms are common and significant in working women teachers. Physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms are strongly connected - women with severe body symptoms also tend to have mood and behavior changes.

Survey study, 2024

Is premenstrual syndrome more common and severe in medical workers than non-medical workers?

Yes. Severe PMS was found in 45.8% of medical workers versus 20.8% of non-medical workers, showing a clear difference. Women with PMS also had worse quality of life at work.

Survey study, 2024

How common is PMS among teenage girls, and how severe is it usually?

In this group of 50 teenage girls, most had moderate PMS, with fewer having mild or severe symptoms. This suggests PMS is common in teenagers too, not just adult women.

Survey study, 2024

How does PMS affect work quality of life in nurses?

Nurses with PMS had lower work quality of life scores compared to those without PMS. Severe menstrual cramps, family history of PMS, and work stress increased the likelihood of PMS. This is a survey of 210 nurses in Jordan, so findings may differ in other countries.

Survey study, 2024

How common is PMDD in working women and what factors are associated with it?

PMDD occurs in 3.04% of working women in this region of China. Several factors appear associated including older age, irregular cycles, and higher caffeine intake, but results may not apply to other populations.

Survey study, 2024

What premenstrual symptoms are most common in working women?

Physical symptoms like breast tenderness, headaches, joint and muscle pain, bloating and weight gain are most common in moderate to severe form, along with fatigue and irritability. Interestingly, sleeping too much is more common than insomnia.

Survey study, 2024

How common are PMS and PMDD among female physicians?

Among female physicians surveyed, 22.7% had PMDD and 58.7% had moderate to severe PMS. The most common symptoms were lack of social interest, fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed.

Survey study, 2024

How common is PMS among nurses, and what makes it worse?

PMS was very common among the Iranian nurses studied, and it was linked to high job demands at work, not just personal habits. We can be only moderately sure, since this is a one-time survey from one region.

Survey study, 2024

How common is PMDD among nursing students?

In this group of nursing students, moderate to severe PMS affected about 28% and PMDD affected about 6%, and both groups said it hurt their college performance.

Survey study, 2024

How much does PMS reduce a woman's work performance?

Women with severe PMS had work performance drop to 69% of their normal level, compared to 91% for women without severe symptoms.

Survey study, 2024

Does COVID-19 infection affect your period and PMS symptoms?

Yes, COVID-19 temporarily disrupted periods in 46.4% of women, with more severe illness causing bigger changes. Most women's periods returned to normal by the second cycle after infection.

Survey study, 2024

Is lifestyle and stress linked to PMS in nursing students?

Yes. Physical activity, sleep patterns, diet, and stress were all significantly linked to PMS in nursing students.

Survey study, 2024

How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect gut health and mood?

Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect the bacteria in the gut and mood. Higher progesterone levels in the premenstrual phase are linked with worse bloating, constipation, and mood swings. Approximately 50% to 80% of women experience premenstrual symptoms that affect daily life.

Survey study, 2024

Can occupational therapy improve quality of life for women with PMS?

Yes, occupational therapy reduced PMS symptoms and improved quality of life in both younger and older women. However, this was a before-and-after study with no control group, so we cannot be certain the improvements came from the therapy.

Study, 2024

How does PMDD affect women's daily lives?

Women with PMDD report that their symptoms severely disrupt relationships, work, education, and self-image during the premenstrual phase. Healthcare providers often lack understanding of the condition.

Survey study, 2024

Does nutrition affect menstrual health?

Good nutrition supports menstrual health and reduces symptoms. A balanced diet with enough nutrients helps prevent cramps, fatigue, and mood swings. Poor nutrition and overeating both harm menstrual cycles.

Survey study, 2024

Is exposure to chemicals that disrupt hormones linked to more severe PMS?

Yes. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between endocrine disruptor exposure and PMS severity (r = 0.196, p = 0.014), though the relationship was modest.

Systematic review, 2024

Can saffron help with PMS, dysmenorrhea, and other women's health problems?

Yes, saffron appears to help with dysmenorrhea, PMS, menopause, and other reproductive issues through its antioxidant and hormone-regulating properties, though most evidence comes from lab studies.

Survey study, 2024

Why is PMDD so often underdiagnosed and what needs to change?

PMDD is common but often missed because of limited awareness, healthcare research bias toward men, and cultural stigma around menstruation. Better education, screening, and research are needed, especially in lower-income countries.

Case report, 2023

Can mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMS?

This case describes using mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy to manage PMS, especially how PMS affects mood, behavior, and work performance.

Survey study, 2023

How many women have PMS and what strategies do they use to cope with it?

About 53% of women had mild PMS symptoms, 40% had moderate symptoms, and 7% had severe symptoms. Age, family type, and remedies used were linked to how women coped.

Survey study, 2023

How much does PMS affect female students' grades, mood, and social life?

Significantly. PMS was linked to mood swings, irritability, delayed homework, and social withdrawal. The study was observational, so it shows associations but not proof of cause.

Survey study, 2023

Is PMS linked to poor sleep and negative feelings about menstruation?

Yes, worse PMS symptoms are strongly linked to poorer sleep quality and more negative attitudes toward menstruation.

Survey study, 2023

Is there a link between weight (BMI) and the severity of PMS symptoms?

Yes. Higher BMI was linked to more severe emotional and behavioral PMS symptoms, though this doesn't prove weight causes PMS.

Survey study, 2023

Did COVID-19 stress affect menstrual cycles and mental health?

Yes, during the pandemic women had longer cycles, more heavy bleeding days, and more mental health problems like depression and anxiety. The proportion of women with heavy bleeding more than doubled.

Survey study, 2023

What factors are linked to premenstrual syndrome in women workers?

Most women workers (92.6%) experienced PMS. The study looked for links between PMS and marital status, exercise, depression, and diet, but found no clear relationships.

Survey study, 2023

Do personality traits and hormone changes affect how well women recognize emotions?

Women who score high in neuroticism recognized emotions less well when progesterone was high. Personality traits did not significantly affect emotion recognition across different cycle phases.

Non-randomised trial, 2023

Does mefenamic acid help relieve PMS symptoms?

Mefenamic acid relieved PMS symptoms in 70.7% of women, with the most improvement in headache and breast tenderness, but the study had no control group so we cannot be certain the drug itself caused the improvement.

Study, 2023

Can a herbal supplement called chasteberry help with PMS and period pain?

This review of past studies suggests chasteberry is safe and has a positive effect on PMS and period pain, though it is a summary of other people's research rather than a new trial.

Interview study, 2023

Does the menstrual cycle affect mental health in women admitted to hospital for psychiatric care?

Of 16 women who had a recent period, 10 reported that their mental health got worse before their period. Symptoms included increased thoughts of suicide, anger, low mood, and unusual experiences.

Survey study, 2023

What symptoms does PMS cause and how common is severe PMS?

PMS can cause around 150 different symptoms ranging from cramps to mood changes to fatigue. About 3-8% of women experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which is a more severe form than typical PMS.

Survey study, 2023

What factors affect whether high school students get PMS?

7.6% of students had PMS in this study. Knowledge, behavior, age at first period, and stress level all showed clear relationships with PMS.

Randomised trial, 2023

What does research show about PMDD neurochemistry?

The provided text does not include results from a PMDD neurochemistry study. It discusses unrelated research on other topics.

Interview study, 2023

How does PMS affect women's daily activities and relationships?

Women with PMS have difficulties with daily activities like self-care, work, and leisure, which affects their routines and relationships with others.

Survey study, 2023

What do adolescent girls in India know about menstruation and PMS?

Most girls knew menstruation was natural and learned from their mothers, but over half had never heard of PMS. Girls with good knowledge about periods had less period-related anxiety.

Study, 2023

What physical and emotional symptoms do women with PMDD experience?

Women with PMDD experience severe physical symptoms such as pain, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and sleep problems, as well as emotional symptoms like irritability, anxiety, and depression that significantly disrupt work and daily life.

Survey study, 2023

What percentage of women aged 20-35 have PMS symptoms and what types are most common?

This survey of 252 women found that about half (45.2%) report moderate PMS symptoms and 40.1% report mild symptoms. The most common physical symptoms are breast tenderness and swelling (52.8%), skin lesions (44%), and cravings for salt or sugar (40.9%).

Survey study, 2023

How common is PMS among female university students in Kenya and how do they manage it?

This survey of 356 female university students found that PMS is very common, with 86.7% reporting symptoms. Most students (63.9%) use some form of treatment, with medication being most popular (51.3%).

Survey study, 2023

How common is PMS among women in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan and what factors are related to it?

27.1% of women had PMS. Many women were unaware of PMS (38.7%) or menstruation (12.9%), and few consulted a doctor about their symptoms.

Survey study, 2023

How common are migraines linked to the menstrual cycle in women with PMS?

About 10.7% of reproductive age women in Saudi Arabia experienced migraines tied to their menstrual cycle. Among all women with migraine, 57.9% had migraines linked to their menstrual cycle. These migraines significantly interfered with work and daily activities.

Survey study, 2023

Is severe period pain linked to psychological distress in working women?

Severe period pain was associated with higher psychological distress, but this link disappeared after accounting for PMS and job conditions. Job control was associated with lower psychological distress.

Lab study, 2023

Does menstrual cycle phase affect anxiety differently after becoming a mother?

Menstrual cycle phase changed anxiety in women without children but made no difference in mothers. Motherhood appears to reduce how hormones affect anxiety.

Survey study, 2023

Should doctors classify menstrual headaches based on how often they happen?

Yes. Headache frequency and purity (whether it happens only around menstruation) should both be considered because they affect how severe the headaches are and what type they are. High-frequency headaches are more severe and similar to migraine.

Review, 2023

How does the stress response system affect depression during reproductive stages like PMDD?

The HPA axis, which controls the stress response, changes during reproductive stages and plays an important role in depression risk at vulnerable times like PMDD, after birth, and perimenopause. Past stress and trauma exposure increase this risk.

Non-randomised trial, 2023

Does teaching about PMS improve knowledge and reduce school absences?

Yes, teaching about PMS significantly increased knowledge (from 20.6% to 72.2% with good knowledge) and improved attitudes. It was also associated with fewer school absences.

Non-randomised trial, 2023

Does education help teenage girls learn to detect and manage PMS?

Yes, after education and discussion, 87.5% of girls had good knowledge about early detection and management of PMS. However, the study only measured knowledge, not whether girls actually detected or managed symptoms better.

Survey study, 2023

How does PMS affect women's mental health and quality of life?

PMS is very common and significantly affects mental and physical health and quality of life in many women. Regular exercise and yoga can reduce how severe the symptoms are.

Survey study, 2022

Did COVID-19 infection change women's menstrual cycles?

More than three-quarters of women reported changes to their menstrual cycles during the COVID-19 pandemic, including changes in cycle length, bleeding duration, or premenstrual symptoms.

Survey study, 2022

What factors affect premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls?

Diet and physical activity were connected with having PMS, but age at first period was not. This was a very small study in one location, so results may not apply to other girls.

Survey study, 2022

Is stress linked to irregular menstrual cycles?

Yes, there's a clear link. People with high stress were more likely to have irregular cycles, and irregular cycles were strongly associated with high stress levels.

Cohort study, 2022

Is suicide more likely to happen during a particular phase of the menstrual cycle?

In this study of 91 women who died by suicide in India, about two-thirds were in the secretory (luteal, pre-period) phase of their cycle, hinting at a possible link between premenstrual hormonal changes and suicide risk, but the study cannot prove cause and effect.

Survey study, 2022

Is reduced thinking ability linked to nervous system changes in women with PMS?

Yes. Women with PMS showed increased activity in the part of the nervous system that speeds up the heart and body, and had reduced thinking and memory ability compared to women without PMS.

Review, 2022

Does mood and anxiety worsen during menstruation?

Yes. Psychiatric disorders occur during menstruation in up to 80% of women and can affect menstrual health, fertility, and sexual function.

Case report, 2022

Does Punarnavadi Guggulu help PMS?

One woman with severe PMS reported complete relief of her symptoms after taking Punarnavadi Guggulu, an Ayurvedic herbal combination. However, this is based on just one case.

Survey study, 2022

What factors are associated with PMS in emergency room nurses?

PMS was common in ED nurses at 67.47%. Women with higher occupational stress, higher anxiety, lower education level, younger age, and higher BMI were more likely to have PMS.

Systematic review, 2022

How common are PMS and PMDD worldwide?

This is a research plan, not completed results. Once finished, it will estimate how common PMS and PMDD are globally and identify risk factors, but results are not yet available.

Survey study, 2022

How do premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder affect quality of life?

PMS and PMDD significantly reduce quality of life. Work efficiency drops from 27.63% reduction with no/mild PMS to 94.73% with moderate/severe PMS to 100% with PMDD. Physical health and wellbeing scores also decline notably.

Survey study, 2022

How does premenstrual syndrome affect the quality of life of working women?

Working women with PMS had decreased quality of life in their professional and personal lives. PMS significantly influenced their daily activities at work and at home.

Survey study, 2022

Do premenstrual symptoms vary by region in Brazil?

Yes, there are regional differences in how women experience premenstrual symptoms. Overall, 38.91% of women reported that their symptoms significantly interfere with daily activities.

Survey study, 2022

Does the menstrual cycle affect how well women sleep?

Sleep quality may worsen for some women during the premenstrual phase, but not all women experience this. When doctors evaluate women's sleep, they should ask which part of the cycle the woman is in, because this matters.

Survey study, 2022

What factors make PMS mood swings worse?

Stress, gynecological conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, and family history of bipolar disorder can worsen PMS. About two-thirds of women (67.4%) reported PMS and a quarter (25.6%) had PMDD.

Non-randomised trial, 2022

Can a PMS tracking app combined with education reduce anxiety symptoms in teenage girls?

Yes. Teenage girls who used a PMS tracking app and attended an educational class showed reduced anxiety symptoms from PMS compared to girls who only received counseling.

Survey study, 2022

How common are PMS and PMDD?

PMS symptoms affect most women at some point. Prevalence varies widely (14% to 74% in India) depending on how it is measured. Severe PMS can lead to PMDD.

Interview study, 2022

Does practicing yoga reduce premenstrual syndrome and period pain?

In this small study, women who practiced yoga experienced clear reductions in period pain intensity, pain duration, and premenstrual syndrome scores.

Survey study, 2022

How common is PMS in physiotherapy students and what is linked to it?

PMS is very common: 85% had it. Living in a rural area, starting periods young, higher BMI, and family history of menstrual problems were all linked to higher PMS risk.

Survey study, 2022

How common is PMS in female medical students and how does it affect their ability to study?

PMS was present in 37% of medical students. It significantly reduced their study time, work productivity, concentration, and exam performance.

Survey study, 2022

Is stress about puberty and menstruation linked to depression and anxiety in adolescent girls?

Yes. Stress related to menstruation and puberty was linked to depression, anxiety, and reproductive tract infections in adolescent girls in Tanzania.

Survey study, 2022

What personal factors are linked to PMS in young women?

Starting menstruation before age 12 and having 5 or more days of bleeding were linked to higher PMS rates. This is one survey, so it shows association but not cause.

Non-randomised trial, 2022

Does a young women's class reduce PMS anxiety in teenage girls?

Yes. Teenage girls who attended a young women's class with stress management and yoga exercises showed a mean anxiety reduction of 5.94 compared to 0.97 in the control group.

Non-randomised trial, 2022

Can a talk-therapy approach that treats several problems at once improve sleep and PMS symptoms?

A small Iranian trial found that women who had 8 sessions of this combined therapy slept better and had fewer PMS symptoms than women who did not, with the improvement still present at follow-up.

Survey study, 2022

How common are period pain and related symptoms in teenage girls in Sabah, Malaysia?

Period pain is very common in this region, affecting about 85.7% of girls, with over 70% also experiencing tiredness and headaches. Results are from one region in Malaysia so may not apply elsewhere.

Survey study, 2022

Is PMS linked to experiencing intense physical sensations as emotional distress?

Yes. The study found a 49% positive relationship between PMS and somatization. Women with PMS reported that symptoms negatively affected their work and daily life.

Survey study, 2021

How common is PMS in women of childbearing age?

Most women reported some PMS symptoms and it affects quality of life and daily functioning. However, 75% didn't see a doctor and 83.3% didn't use any treatment.

Survey study, 2021

Does iron status affect the risk of PMS symptoms?

Women with genes suggesting high iron were less likely to experience some PMS symptoms like headaches, confusion, and nausea. No link was found between genes for low iron and PMS symptoms.

Survey study, 2021

What factors make premenstrual and menstrual symptoms worse?

Women with chronic illness, psychiatric history, reproductive problems, alcohol use, never being pregnant, and a family history of PMS tend to have worse premenstrual and menstrual symptoms. Having negative thoughts about menstruation also worsens symptoms.

Survey study, 2021

Does resilience protect shift-work nurses with PMS from depression?

Yes. Resilience (the ability to bounce back from difficulties) was linked to less depression. Resilience partially explained why premenstrual discomfort led to depression in these nurses.

Survey study, 2021

Do disordered eating symptoms change across the phases of the menstrual cycle?

This study tracked several types of disordered eating every day for a full cycle to see if they differ between cycle phases, after accounting for body weight and mood, but the actual results of that comparison are not given in the information available, so no clear answer can be reported here.

Review, 2021

What symptoms and health impacts do women experience from menstrual distress?

Women with menstrual distress experience physical symptoms like cramping, tiredness, and breast pain, plus emotional symptoms like sadness and anxiety. These affect their ability to work, attend school, and maintain mental health.

Survey study, 2021

How common are menstrual problems in adolescent girls?

Very common. 73.6% of girls had painful periods, 13.5% had moderate to severe PMS, 12.5% had irregular periods, 8.4% had heavy periods, and 6.2% had PMDD.

Survey study, 2021

What is the prevalence of PMDD and how does it affect quality of life in female students?

About 4.43% of female students had PMDD. Those with PMDD had significantly lower quality of life, especially in social relationships and at work. The evidence is clear for this group, but the study only included students in India.

Survey study, 2021

How common is PMS among university students and does it affect their studies?

Most of the students had multiple PMS symptoms that affected their academic activities. The study did not report what percentage had PMS, so the actual prevalence is unclear.

Survey study, 2021

Is PMS linked to physical activity, weight, and blood pressure?

Yes. Women with regular physical activity, normal weight, and no high blood pressure had significantly fewer PMS symptoms.

Survey study, 2021

How common is PMS among nurses and does it affect their job performance?

Just over half of nurses (52.0%) had PMS. Those with PMS had significantly worse daily job performance. The evidence is clear, but the study only looked at nurses in one location in Saudi Arabia.

Survey study, 2021

Do premenstrual symptoms affect sexual desire?

Sexual desire is linked to some premenstrual symptoms, particularly back pain, painful periods, and mood changes. Sexual desire was not clearly linked to other symptoms like headaches or breast tenderness.

Survey study, 2021

Is poor sleep linked to PMS?

Results not provided in the abstract given.

Survey study, 2021

Does the timing of the menstrual cycle relative to moon phases affect sleep quality?

Women whose menstrual cycles began during the dark lunar period had worse sleep quality than those whose cycles began during the light lunar period. The effect was strongest when cycles began during the dark period in two consecutive months.

Survey study, 2021

Does learning about PMS help adolescents manage it better?

Yes. Adolescents with more knowledge about PMS were more likely to handle PMS symptoms better.

Survey study, 2020

How common is PMS among female university students and how does it affect their lives?

Most female university students know about PMS. It commonly affects school work and social life, but most do nothing to treat it.

Survey study, 2020

How common is PMDD in medical students?

About 11% of the 180 medical students studied had PMDD. The most common symptoms were fatigue, irritability, and mood swings.

Study, 2020

Can teaching about lifestyle changes help adolescents understand how to prevent PMS?

The abstract describes the study design but does not report whether the teaching program actually changed knowledge or attitudes about PMS prevention.

Survey study, 2020

What attitudes do teenage girls have about premenstrual syndrome, and what affects them?

Most girls had positive attitudes about PMS (50.3%) and good knowledge about it (74.2%). Knowledge, physical activity, anxiety levels, and health education all related to how they felt about managing PMS.

Survey study, 2020

Is there a link between how much adolescents know about reproduction and their attitudes toward PMS?

Yes, a clear relationship was found between reproductive knowledge and attitudes toward PMS. Girls with more education about reproduction had different views on PMS than those who knew less.

Survey study, 2020

How do diet and lifestyle factors relate to PMS and PMDD in medical students?

Alcohol and tobacco use were linked to PMDD. Diet type was not linked to PMS or PMDD. Anger and irritability were the most common symptoms.

Survey study, 2020

What factors at work contribute to PMS in nurses?

PMS in nurses is linked to chemical exposure, working in high-stress units, family history of PMS, and having supportive coworkers. The model explained 38.3% of PMS variation.

Study, 2020

Does heavy physical activity affect menstrual cycles?

Heavy-intensity physical activity can disrupt menstrual cycles and cause problems including missed periods, bone loss, and irregular bleeding.

Survey study, 2020

Do oral contraceptive pills increase the risk of premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Yes. Women taking oral contraceptive pills had about 21 percent higher risk of premenstrual symptoms than non-users, and this effect was stronger in women age 25 and older, where the risk increased by 32 percent.

Survey study, 2020

Do premenstrual symptoms affect a woman's quality of life?

Yes. In this study, women with more premenstrual symptoms, especially physical ones, reported lower quality of life in every area measured.

Survey study, 2020

Do girls with type 1 diabetes experience different PMS than other girls?

No clear difference. Most girls with type 1 diabetes (71.4%) experience no to mild PMS symptoms, regardless of how well their diabetes is controlled.

Survey study, 2020

How common are premenstrual symptoms in secondary school students?

Very common: 82.5% had mood swings or nervousness and 80.1% had fatigue. Educational level and age were associated with symptom severity.

Survey study, 2020

How common is PMS in female college students and does it affect their quality of life?

PMS was found in 60.8% of nursing students. All areas of quality of life were significantly affected in those with PMS.

Randomised trial, 2020

Can learning coping strategies reduce anxiety in girls with PMS?

In this small study, a 10-session coping skills training program lowered anxiety scores in girls with PMS more than in a comparison group, but the study was small so this is not strong proof.

Survey study, 2020

Can teaching about PMS management improve girls' knowledge?

Yes. Before teaching, all girls had below-average knowledge about managing PMS. After the teaching program, most girls had average or good knowledge.

Lab study, 2019

Does stress and cannabis use change across the menstrual cycle?

In women who regularly use cannabis, both stress levels and the amount of cannabis used were higher during the premenstrual phase compared to other cycle phases. This suggests women may use more cannabis premenstrually to manage higher stress.

Survey study, 2019

Are PMS symptoms linked to how women feel about their health and stress?

Yes. Women who reported feeling unhealthy or stressed had much more severe PMS symptoms. How a woman perceives her own health was the strongest factor linked to PMS symptom severity.

Survey study, 2019

Does teaching about PMS improve nursing students' knowledge?

Yes. The teaching program increased students' knowledge about PMS and its management. However, this study measured knowledge gain only, not whether teaching helped improve actual PMS symptoms.

Survey study, 2019

Does allopregnanolone, a hormone made from progesterone, affect premenstrual mood?

Growing evidence suggests allopregnanolone may influence mood during the premenstrual phase and other reproductive times, but exactly how it works is not yet clear.

Cohort study, 2019

What factors cause PMS in women of reproductive age?

Age was the main factor, explaining 90.3% of PMS cases. Other factors linked to PMS were higher parity, older age, poor nutrition, and less exercise.

Case-control study, 2019

Does a specific gene variant increase the risk of severe PMS?

Women with the DD variant of the ACE gene may have a higher risk of severe PMS. Women with this variant had 3.43 times higher odds of severe PMS compared to women without it.

Survey study, 2019

Why might depression develop when women stop breastfeeding?

This review proposes that hormonal changes during weaning may trigger depression in some women. A brain chemical normally calming anxiety may work differently during weaning, worsening mood instead.

Interview study, 2019

How does PMDD affect adolescents' lives?

PMDD causes discomfort and interferes with social relationships in teenagers. Symptoms cycle with the menstrual cycle and are triggered by environmental and hormonal factors. This very small qualitative study (6 students) cannot be generalized.

Survey study, 2019

How common is PMDD in Russian women and what increases the risk?

About 1 in 6 Russian women have PMDD. Risk is higher in women aged 15-24 and those with family history of psychiatric disease.

Survey study, 2019

How common is premenstrual syndrome in women of reproductive age?

Very common. This study of 133 female nursing students found all had mild to moderate PMS symptoms, with a mean score of 99.62. However, results may not apply to all women since participants were only nursing students.

Survey study, 2019

Does regular physical activity or high soy intake reduce PMS symptoms?

Most students had light physical activity and mild PMS symptoms, but the study does not clearly show whether physical activity or soy intake reduced symptoms. The authors note that the relationship remains unclear.

Survey study, 2019

How common is PMS in female operating room technologists?

The study aimed to find how common PMS is in female operating room technologists and what factors influence it, but the results are not provided in this abstract.

Survey study, 2019

Can birth control pills treat PMDD?

Yes. Birth control pills with drospirenone significantly reduced emotional symptoms like depression and anxiety by 50% at 6 months, while physical symptoms like pain improved by 70%. Without a placebo control, we cannot be certain the medication caused all the improvement.

Interview study, 2018

Do working women and housewives experience PMS at different rates?

Working women had more PMS than housewives: 50% of working women had PMS compared to 30% of housewives. PMS was most common in women aged 26-35.

Survey study, 2018

How common are PMS and PMDD among medical students in South India?

Of 635 medical students surveyed, 177 had PMS and 88 had PMDD. The most common symptoms were anger or irritability, feeling tearful or overly sensitive, and fatigue or lack of energy.

Survey study, 2018

How aware are men of what PMS is and how it affects their partners?

This abstract only describes the background and purpose of the study; it does not give the actual results on men's awareness, attitude, or behavior regarding PMS.

Survey study, 2018

What is PMDD and how common is it?

PMDD is a serious form of premenstrual distress affecting 1.8 to 5.8 percent of women who menstruate. It is officially recognized as a psychiatric condition, though the exact cause is still being researched.

Cohort study, 2018

How do hormone changes during your menstrual cycle affect symptoms?

Sleep and headache symptoms tend to get worse around your period when hormones change most. When hormones fluctuate more throughout your cycle, mood problems and hot flashes worsen.

Survey study, 2018

Which lifestyle factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Coffee consumption was linked to worse premenstrual symptoms, and people with symptoms were more likely to be physically inactive. Reducing coffee and increasing physical activity might help reduce symptoms.

Survey study, 2018

How many women actually have PMS when carefully tracked?

When women remembered their symptoms from the last three cycles, 62.57% reported three or more symptoms. When carefully tracked with daily diaries, only 4.05% actually met criteria for PMS.

Interview study, 2017

How common and severe are premenstrual symptoms in young medical and nursing students?

Premenstrual symptoms were extremely common, affecting 97.10% of students, and 76.83% met the criteria for PMS, but for most of them the symptoms were mild.

Interview study, 2017

How does PMDD affect women at work and what can employers do to help?

Women with PMDD experience severe difficulty concentrating, self-doubt, paranoia, fatigue, tearfulness, and difficulty with social interaction at work. Some women leave their jobs or careers entirely because of PMDD.

Study, 2017

Can herbs help with premenstrual syndrome and menopause symptoms?

According to this article, yes. Many complementary and alternative therapies including herbs may help relieve premenstrual and menopausal symptoms.

Survey study, 2017

Does marital status affect PMS symptom severity?

Most PMS symptoms occurred during menstruation for both married and unmarried women. Unmarried women reported slightly more severe symptoms overall, but the difference was small.

Randomised trial, 2017

Does having PMS or PMDD affect how well university students do academically?

No. Academic performance did not differ between students with different levels of PMS or PMDD. However, the length of the menstrual cycle was significantly associated with academic performance.

Survey study, 2017

Can diet help with PMS symptoms?

Diet may affect PMS. High intake of tea, coffee, cola, alcohol, chocolate, and sugary snacks is linked to worse symptoms, while adequate milk and certain minerals may help.

Study, 2017

How can women prevent psychiatric symptoms from getting worse before their period?

Semi-intermittent dosing (adjusting medicine doses in the days before the period) may help women stay stable all month. However, research on this approach is limited.

Interview study, 2017

Is PMDD caused by genes?

Probably not much. There is limited evidence that genes cause PMDD, though some genes may play a role. The evidence is stronger for postpartum depression.

Survey study, 2017

Is there a link between menstrual cycle phase and fatal self-harm?

Most women who died by suicide were in the premenstrual (late secretory) phase (41.7%), suggesting a possible connection. However, this is a small autopsy study from one region in India with no comparison group, so cause and effect cannot be proven.

Randomised trial, 2017

Does yoga help with PMS symptoms?

This text only gives the background and reasoning for a yoga trial. It does not include the trial's actual methods or results, so no answer about whether yoga worked can be given from this excerpt.

Review, 2017

How does the menstrual cycle affect mood and development, especially in adolescents?

Menstrual cycle-related symptoms may trigger developmental challenges that worsen mood symptoms in adolescent girls and have long-term effects. Individual responses to hormones vary greatly, so each woman's experience differs.

Survey study, 2016

How common are PMS and PMDD among women in Myanmar?

37.3% of the women met criteria for PMS, and 54.4% of those had PMDD. The study included only women in medicine, so these numbers may not represent all women.

Survey study, 2016

Are women with PMS different in their hormones and metabolism?

Yes. Women with PMS had higher prolactin and triglycerides, and lower testosterone and HDL cholesterol than women without PMS. Higher PMS scores were associated with increased metabolic syndrome risk, though we cannot tell whether these differences cause PMS or result from it.

Survey study, 2016

Are emotional labor at work and stress linked to PMS symptoms in nurses?

Yes. Nurses with higher emotional labor and higher stress had worse PMS symptoms. There were clear relationships between all three: emotional labor linked to stress, emotional labor linked to PMS, and stress linked to PMS.

Survey study, 2016

Does PMS affect how satisfied nurses feel with their work?

Yes. Nurses with PMS reported lower overall work satisfaction and lower scores on most work-related quality measures compared to nurses without PMS. The connection was statistically significant.

Survey study, 2016

Does 12 weeks of yoga help premenstrual symptoms?

Yes, 12 weeks of yoga was associated with improvements in menstrual pain, emotional symptoms, and physical symptoms. Women used fewer painkillers and reported less impact of pain on work, though this was a small study without a control group.

Survey study, 2016

Do women with PMDD have more difficulty regulating their emotions?

Yes. Women with PMDD and PMS had significantly more difficulty with emotional regulation compared to controls, especially those with psychological symptoms.

Case-control study, 2016

Do women with PMS have more problems during pregnancy and labor?

Yes. Women with PMS had more pregnancies and labors overall, and those with the edematous form (swelling) had much higher rates of late pregnancy complications.

Survey study, 2016

Does knowing more about menstruation help girls avoid or reduce premenstrual syndrome?

Girls with less knowledge about menstruation are more likely to experience PMS symptoms. We cannot be sure whether better knowledge prevents PMS or whether girls with PMS are less likely to learn about menstruation.

Survey study, 2016

Are negative attitudes about menstruation and PMS symptoms linked to burnout in nurses?

Yes. Nurses with negative attitudes about menstruation or PMS symptoms are more likely to experience burnout and work stress. PMS and age are the biggest factors linked to burnout.

Survey study, 2016

What do women in Saudi Arabia know and think about PMS?

Only 14.1% of women correctly knew PMS was a medical condition. Most were unaware they should seek medical help for it.

Survey study, 2016

How common is PMS among female doctors and does it harm their work?

Half of the female doctors (50.7%) had PMS, and it significantly reduced their work productivity.

Study, 2016

How does PMS differ between younger women and older women?

The study compared emotional status, nerve system function, and pain in women aged 16-25 with women aged 30-38 and found different clinical features in each age group.

Survey study, 2016

How common is PMS among working women in Bangkok and how much does it affect their lives?

About 11.4% of working women in Bangkok have moderate to severe PMS. Younger women are more likely to experience PMS than older women.

Survey study, 2016

Which factors predict how severe a woman's PMS will be?

Family history of PMS, mother's education level, type of college, and menstrual cycle length all predicted PMS severity. Weight and menstrual flow duration did not.

Survey study, 2016

Does PMS increase the risk of stress fractures in teenage athletes?

Among teenage athletes, 8.9% had moderate-to-severe PMS. Those with strong physical premenstrual symptoms had 1.66 times higher risk of stress fractures, suggesting PMS symptoms may increase injury risk.

Cohort study, 2015

Does muscle strength change during the menstrual cycle in female athletes?

Yes, in this very small study. Muscle strength declined during the premenstrual week in 10 young athletes, though mood didn't change.

Survey study, 2015

Does having more knowledge about PMS affect whether women get PMS symptoms?

No. The study found no significant relationship between knowledge level about PMS and whether women actually experienced symptoms.

Survey study, 2015

Do young women recognize how PMS affects work performance?

Most students (79.4%) ignored PMS when rating employee performance, while 6.9% considered it. Students who perceived daily function problems from PMS were significantly more likely to consider it in evaluations. This shows many lack awareness.

Survey study, 2015

How common is physical stress and pain during the menstrual cycle?

Physical stress symptoms were common, with 15% experiencing mild, 14% moderate, and 5% severe symptoms. Most women did not exercise despite experiencing menstrual pain.

Survey study, 2015

Do Saudi women understand PMS and would they seek medical care for it?

56% of women had PMS but only 8.9% recognized it as a medical condition. Only 11.6% would consult a doctor if they had it.

Survey study, 2015

Which screening tool is best for diagnosing PMDD and menstrual-related psychiatric conditions?

There is no agreed-upon best tool. Different studies use different definitions and methods, making it hard to compare research and provide consistent care.

Review, 2015

Does tanakan help with reproductive dysfunction?

Tanakan (a Ginkgo biloba extract) is described as helpful for reproductive dysfunction and other conditions.

Survey study, 2014

Does allopregnanolone cause mood problems in premenstrual dysphoria and postpartum depression?

It may trigger mood problems in susceptible women, but the research is preliminary. There is no clear evidence that allopregnanolone levels differ between those with and without these conditions.

Non-randomised trial, 2014

Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause?

Yes. Thirty-five percent reported being cured and 55 percent had considerable improvement. For 94 percent, hormone therapy was life-changing for the better, and none reported worsening.

Survey study, 2014

Is there a connection between high blood pressure and PMS?

Yes, women with high blood pressure were 6.75 times more likely to have PMS than women with normal blood pressure. The connection was statistically significant (p=0.00).

Survey study, 2014

Do women with both IBS and PMS experience worse symptoms than those with IBS alone?

Yes, women with both conditions had more stress, more severe bowel and psychological symptoms, and longer episodes with slower recovery compared to those with IBS alone.

Survey study, 2014

What factors are linked to the water-retention form of PMS?

Emotional stress, tissue swelling symptoms, and three hormone levels (progesterone, prolactin, and cortisol) were linked together in women with the water-retention form of PMS. However, this was a small study with no control group, so these results may not apply reliably to other women.

Survey study, 2014

How do menstrual problems affect quality of life in working women?

Heavy periods and PMS both significantly reduced quality of life for working women. The study used a standardized quality-of-life measure but did not report specific numbers.

Cohort study, 2014

Does exposure to PFOS or PFOA chemicals affect menstrual cycles?

Higher exposure to PFOA was linked to longer menstrual cycles. However, this was a cross-sectional study that cannot prove the chemicals caused the change.

Survey study, 2014

Does the rise in progesterone during the menstrual cycle disrupt sleep?

Yes. Sleep was more disrupted when progesterone was rising sharply and when estrone levels were higher, both linked to the time after ovulation. The study was very small with only 27 women.

Cohort study, 2014

Do lifestyle and nutrition affect menstrual symptoms?

Yes. Women with menstrual symptoms had different eating patterns and lifestyle factors than those without symptoms. Strong links were found between diet and the type of menstrual pattern.

Review, 2013

Does exercise help or hurt women's menstrual health?

Moderate exercise improves menstrual regularity and reproductive health. But excessive exercise without enough nutrition can cause loss of periods, weak bones, and eating disorders.

Survey study, 2012

Does a relaxation yoga exercise help reduce PMS symptoms and stress?

Yes, one week of 61-Point Relaxation yoga appeared to reduce physical stress markers and improve mood in women with PMS. The study was very small and lasted only one week.

Case-control study, 2012

Do PMDD and generalized anxiety disorder affect memory and thinking in the same way during the cycle?

No. In this study, women with generalized anxiety disorder had worse memory, attention and psychomotor function in the late luteal phase than women with PMDD, and both groups did worse than healthy women.

Survey study, 2012

How does moderate-to-severe PMS or PMDD affect work and daily life?

Women with moderate-to-severe PMS or PMDD missed more work and had lower work productivity than those with mild or no symptoms. This is correlation only, not proof that symptoms cause the work problems.

Survey study, 2012

Is higher weight linked to greater risk of PMS?

Yes. Women with obesity were at higher PMS risk than those who were overweight, who were at higher risk than those with normal weight. Stress and contraceptive use also affected PMS risk.

Cohort study, 2012

What are the most common moderate-to-severe PMS symptoms in Chinese women?

Mood swings are the most common moderate-to-severe symptom, peaking before menstruation. However, a high dropout rate (only 67 of 142 women completed the diary) limits how reliable this finding is.

Survey study, 2012

How common is PMDD in East Asian countries?

PMDD appears less common in East Asia (1.3-2.8%) than in Western countries (3-8%), though the reasons are not yet clear.

Review, 2011

How do the hormones estrogen and progesterone affect the brain's activity, and could this explain PMS or PMDD?

Estrogen tends to make brain cells more excitable, while progesterone and a substance it breaks down into tend to calm them. This balance may help explain PMS and PMDD, but this is a summary of existing research, not a new experiment.

Survey study, 2011

How common is PMS and how much does it affect daily life?

Very common, affecting 81.25% of women, with significant impacts on work, school, mood, and physical symptoms like pain and fatigue.

Survey study, 2011

What causes irregular periods and period pain in working women?

Stress appeared to be the main factor linked to both irregular periods and period pain. However, this study only shows associations, not whether stress actually causes these problems.

Survey study, 2011

Can military women successfully use birth control pills to stop their periods in field conditions?

Only 21% of military women used birth control pills continuously during deployment to stop periods, mostly because taking a pill daily in harsh field conditions is difficult. Compliant users had fewer period problems than non-compliant users.

Cohort study, 2011

How common are PMS and PMDD in teenage girls, and what causes them?

PMS is very common, affecting 76% of teenage girls in this study. PMDD affected 4%. Living in a large city increased risk, but being sexually active, physically active, or differences in socioeconomic status made no difference.

Cohort study, 2011

Does having epilepsy increase the risk of PMDD, and what makes it worse?

The study suggests epilepsy and certain antiepileptic drugs may influence PMDD severity in women with epilepsy, but findings are preliminary. Specific medications like carbamazepine and lamotrigine appear to affect PMDD differently.

Cohort study, 2011

What is the economic burden of moderate to severe PMS or PMDD in Latin American women?

Moderate to severe PMS or PMDD costs an average of 1,618 Brazilian reals per woman per year and causes increasing impairment in work and daily activities as symptom severity increases.

Survey study, 2011

Does work stress and night shifts increase risk of PMS and PMDD?

Yes, women working night shifts had higher rates of PMS (56% vs 32%) and PMDD (22% vs 13%) compared to women without shift work, but we cannot prove the shifts caused these conditions.

Survey study, 2010

Does the menstrual cycle affect sleep quality in women with sleep problems?

Yes. Women with irregular periods were 2.1 times more likely to report trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, but this study only included women who already had sleep complaints.

Survey study, 2010

Do women with PMS or PMDD miss more work?

Yes. Women with moderate-to-severe PMS or PMDD reported more days with reduced work productivity (5.6 days per cycle vs 1.1) and higher rates of missing work (14.2% vs 6.0%).

Survey study, 2010

Is your immune system response linked to asthma that gets worse before your period?

Yes. Women with asthma worsening before their period had higher levels of one immune marker (IgE) than those without. Specific allergens did not seem to matter.

Case-control study, 2010

Does PMS affect sexual satisfaction?

Yes. Women with PMS reported less sexual satisfaction and more sexual distress than women without it, though PMDD alone did not show the same clear difference.

Interview study, 2009

Why do women's behavior change before their period from an evolutionary perspective?

This paper proposes that behavioral changes before a woman's period may have evolved as part of human reproduction and possibly helped with reproductive success, though this is theoretical and needs more research to test.

Case report, 2009

Can acupuncture help PMDD?

In one woman with severe PMDD, symptoms improved during acupuncture treatment but returned when she stopped. It's unclear whether acupuncture truly caused the improvement.

Survey study, 2009

Does job stress affect periods and hormone levels in female workers?

Women with higher job stress had more period problems and some hormone changes, with longer work hours linked to lower estrogen levels.

Study, 2009

Can the standard mental health diagnostic interview assess PMS and PMDD adequately?

No. The standard interview does not assess PMS, PMDD, or other women-specific mental health conditions. New diagnostic modules were developed to address this gap.

Study, 2009

How many Malaysian women have premenstrual symptoms, and what do they use to treat them?

About 75% of women attending a rural clinic in Malaysia experience at least one premenstrual symptom. About 7% have severe symptoms affecting mood, behavior, and physical health. Many women use vitamins, healthy diet, or pain relievers, but about 60% use no treatment at all.

Review, 2009

How common are PMS and PMDD, and how much do they disrupt women's lives?

PMS causes distress in up to 20% of women and severe work or relationship problems in 3-8%. Women with PMDD experience about 3000 days of severe symptoms over their reproductive years.

Survey study, 2009

What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how common is it?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder affects 3 to 5 percent of women of reproductive age and causes severe mood problems and food cravings. It is much more severe than regular PMS and significantly disrupts quality of life and work.

Review, 2009

What health issues are especially important for women's wellness throughout their lives?

The review describes women's wellness as broad life satisfaction including reproductive, hormonal, bone, and gastrointestinal health.

Study, 2008

Can a psychological intervention that addresses self-criticism help women with premenstrual distress?

A psychological intervention that helped women recognize and change patterns of self-blame, staying silent, and over-responsibility reduced their premenstrual distress and gave them more control over their emotions.

Survey study, 2008

How common are menstrual cycle symptoms and how should doctors discuss them?

85% of women experience menstrual cycle changes and up to 40% are bothered by them. Doctors should routinely ask about these symptoms to improve treatment.

Case report, 2008

Can a workplace support system help women with menstrual problems at work?

A Japanese company set up a support system for women's health, and after it started, fewer women left their jobs early because of menstrual disorders, miscarriage, or menopause problems. This is one company's experience, not a controlled study, so it cannot prove the system alone caused the change.

Survey study, 2008

Do genes related to mood and stress change during the menstrual cycle?

One stress-related gene (FKBP5) showed lower activity in the follicular phase compared to other phases. Anxiety scores also changed during the cycle, but these two changes were not connected to each other.

Survey study, 2008

Do severe physical symptoms during the menstrual cycle mean a woman will also have worse mood problems?

No. Women with severe physical symptoms in the late menstrual cycle phase did not have worse overall psychological symptoms than those without physical symptoms. Only one psychological measure (interpersonal sensitivity) differed.

Survey study, 2008

Do healthy women without PMDD have mood changes during their menstrual cycle?

Yes, but the changes are small. Healthy women without PMDD showed small increases in anxiety, depression, and other negative mood symptoms from late follicular to late luteal phase.

Survey study, 2008

How many female medical students have painful periods and does it affect school attendance?

Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) affected 73.83% of 107 female medical students. Of those with painful periods, 31.67% frequently missed school or classes.

Survey study, 2008

Does low progesterone cause PMS?

No. Research by Professor Dennerstein showed that low progesterone does not cause PMS, even though hormones affect mood and behavior across the menstrual cycle.

Review, 2007

Does the menstrual cycle change your body clock and sleep?

Yes. Body temperature, hormone rhythms like melatonin and cortisol, and sleep quality all shift across the cycle, with the most noticeable changes after ovulation and around menses, based on a review of past studies rather than new data.

Non-randomised trial, 2007

Does a 50% drop in PMS symptom scores matter in real life, like fewer doctor visits or costs?

Yes. Women with much higher premenstrual symptom scores had notably more doctor visits and medical costs, which supports using a 50% symptom reduction as a meaningful marker of improvement in PMS or PMDD treatment studies.

Cohort study, 2007

Do women with depression or bipolar disorder experience premenstrual mood symptoms?

67.7% of women with major depression or bipolar disorder reported premenstrual mood symptoms, significantly more than women without mood disorders. The rates were similar between the two diagnoses.

Cohort study, 2006

Do different ways of defining PMS give different prevalence rates?

Yes. PMS prevalence ranged from 19% to 30% depending on the definition used. However, all definitions showed that PMS reduces quality of life and work productivity.

Survey study, 2006

Does the menstrual cycle affect how severe OCD symptoms are?

Yes. For many women with OCD, symptoms get worse before their period, with nearly half reporting this pattern. The menstrual cycle should be considered when assessing OCD severity.

Study, 2006

How has our understanding of PMS changed over time?

Our understanding of PMS has evolved from purely biological or purely psychological explanations to a combined approach that recognizes genetics, hormones, environment, and culture all play a role.

Survey study, 2006

How common are PMS and period problems in teen girls, and do attitudes affect school attendance?

Among urban teens, PMS is very common (84%) and period pain affects 65 percent. Girls with negative expectations about periods are significantly more likely to miss school and activities.

Survey study, 2006

How common is PMS and what causes it?

Millions of reproductive-age U.S. women experience premenstrual symptoms with varying severity. The cause appears to involve how the brain responds to normal changes in female hormones, and some people may have genetic risk.

Case-control study, 2006

Can disrupted sleep and body rhythms explain mood problems around periods, pregnancy, or after birth?

It's a promising idea but not yet proven. Women with depression at these times show a different pattern of sleep and body rhythms than healthy women, though the exact pattern differs by life stage.

Survey study, 2006

Do women with fibromyalgia have more reproductive problems and sleep problems?

Yes. Women with fibromyalgia were significantly more likely to have PMS, period pain, and sleep problems, and were less physically active and reported more sexual dysfunction.

Case-control study, 2005

How much does premenstrual syndrome cost in medical care and lost work?

PMS diagnosis is associated with $59 more in annual healthcare costs and $4,333 more in annual lost work productivity compared to not having PMS.

Survey study, 2005

Does the menstrual cycle affect obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms?

Yes, for some women. OCD started at menarche in 22% of women and worsened premenstrually in 20%. It worsened after childbirth in 50% of women who became pregnant.

Study, 2005

What is premenstrual syndrome and PMDD and how do they affect women?

PMS and PMDD are conditions related to the menstrual cycle. While some women experience mild discomfort, others experience PMDD, which significantly reduces quality of life and increases medical costs and lost work productivity.

Survey study, 2005

What are the main symptoms and impacts of severe period pain in teenage girls?

The most common symptoms are cramps, tiredness, backache, swollen belly, and tender breasts. Teenagers with worse symptoms miss more school and take more painkillers.

Survey study, 2005

How does trauma history affect PMDD symptoms and pregnancy?

Women with PMDD who experienced trauma show different body reactions to stress and may experience symptom changes during pregnancy. These findings come from reviewing existing published research rather than new studies.

Case-control study, 2004

Is job stress linked to having premenstrual symptoms?

Yes, in this large survey of military women, high job stress was the strongest factor linked to premenstrual symptoms, with almost three times the risk compared to women without symptoms, but since this is an observational survey it cannot prove that stress causes the symptoms.

Cohort study, 2003

How much does PMS affect women's quality of life and healthcare costs?

Women with PMS had lower quality of life scores for both mental and physical health and spent more than 500 dollars in doctor visit costs over 2 years compared to women without PMS.

Survey study, 2003

Do work conditions make premenstrual and menstrual symptoms worse?

Yes. Physical work demands and job stress were the biggest work-related factors that made symptoms worse. Chronic illness and alcohol use also made symptoms worse.

Survey study, 2003

What hormone changes happen during the transition to menopause?

A study of 40 women aged 43–52 transitioning to menopause found that inhibin-A hormone levels were lower than in younger women, with the largest decreases in those who had stopped ovulating.

Review, 2002

Are women more likely to get depression, especially due to hormonal changes?

Yes. Women have 1.7 to 2.7 times higher risk of depression in their lifetime compared to men, and hormonal changes around puberty, periods, and menopause increase that risk.

Review, 2002

Are hormone problems the cause of PMS?

No clear hormone abnormalities have been found in people with PMS, even though hormones seem connected to mood. A treatment that stops monthly cycles improved mood, but why this works is still unclear.

Randomised trial, 2001

Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

The authors propose that reproductive hormones may disrupt the body's internal clock in susceptible women, but this is a theory not yet proven. Women have twice the rate of depression as men.

Review, 2001

What can help women manage PMS symptoms at work?

First-line treatments include diet changes, nutritional supplements, exercise, and stress management. More research is needed on how well these work and whether they improve work attendance and performance.

Survey study, 2000

What menstrual and gynecological problems do women with familial dysautonomia experience?

Women with familial dysautonomia (a genetic nerve disorder) experience very high rates of premenstrual symptoms (81.2%) and often have delayed puberty. Some experience severe nervous system reactions during their menstrual cycle.

Randomised trial, 2000

How common is sexual abuse history in women seeking treatment for severe PMS?

Very common. Of 42 interviewed women, 95% reported at least one sexual abuse event, and 81% reported completed penetration against their will. Most also had undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder.

Lab study, 2000

Does the menstrual cycle change how your brain responds to sexual images?

Yes. During ovulation, the brain showed a larger electrical response to sexual images compared to other image types, but only when women were emotionally processing the images.

Survey study, 1999

How do menstrual and premenstrual symptoms affect female military cadets?

Almost all cadets' menstrual cycles changed during their first year. Many reported symptoms interfered with physical activities. Many also struggled to access, change, and dispose of menstrual products.

Non-randomised trial, 1999

Does taking sertraline only in the second half of the cycle help PMDD?

In this very small study, half of the women who completed treatment (3 out of 6) showed significant improvement in PMDD symptoms with luteal-phase sertraline dosing.

Survey study, 1999

Do cyclical behavioral changes happen in women with mental disabilities, and what helps?

Cyclical behavioral changes occur in 18% of women with mental disabilities. NSAIDs helped 65% of those treated, hormone injections helped 66%, and birth control pills helped 40%.

Survey study, 1998

What is the best way to measure breast pain that comes and goes with your period?

A daily visual pain scale works much better than asking women to remember their pain later. Women with cyclical breast pain reported much higher pain levels during menstruation (5.3 out of 10) compared to women without cyclical pain (3.5).

Survey study, 1998

Should doctors use hormone blood tests to diagnose premenstrual syndrome?

No, according to these experts. Hormone tests are irrelevant for PMS. They believe PMS relates to other factors we haven't identified yet, not hormone levels.

Survey study, 1998

How common is PMS in women of reproductive age and what factors increase the risk?

30.4% had PMS, with most having mild to moderate symptoms. Women with higher stress, depression symptoms, painful periods, and higher education level had higher rates.

Survey study, 1997

Does PMS cause women to miss work or do their jobs worse?

No clear difference in work performance, sick days, or stress between women at different cycle phases or compared to men. Women with self-reported PMS showed no problems specifically during their premenstrual phase; instead, they reported high stress and health problems across their entire cycle.

Survey study, 1995

Do PMS symptoms affect how well women work?

Yes. Over half of working women (57%) said their PMS symptoms affected job performance, and 40% felt less productive during premenstrual symptoms. Mood-related symptoms like irritability, anger, and depression had the strongest link to reduced work performance.

Survey study, 1995

What premenstrual symptoms do Chinese women in Hong Kong experience?

Fatigue was the most common symptom. Pain, water retention, behavior changes, and mood changes each occurred in more than 64% of women, with pain being more prominent than in Western studies.

Survey study, 1995

Does working night shifts make menstrual cycle symptoms worse?

Probably yes. Nurses working night shifts showed lower alertness at the end of night shifts during the premenstrual phase. More night shifts per year was linked to worse and longer-lasting premenstrual problems.

Review, 1994

How much does PMS disrupt women's daily lives and relationships?

Symptoms peak during the last 5 premenstrual days and disappear within 3 to 4 days after bleeding starts. Severity varies greatly, from no symptoms to severe disruption for 14 days each month.

Study, 1994

Does PMS affect how fast and accurately women do attention tasks?

Women responded more slowly to easier attention tasks before menstruation, but accuracy wasn't affected. After the task, women felt lower in energy and mood before menstruation.

Survey study, 1993

How common is premenstrual tension among nurses in Kenya?

Very common. 95.5 percent of 400 nurses studied reported premenstrual tension, with breast tenderness and bloating being the most frequent symptoms.

Cohort study, 1992

What role do hormones play in mood problems linked to the menstrual cycle?

Hormones can trigger mood problems in a small percentage of women who are vulnerable, often those with a history of depression. The menstrual cycle may act as a biological trigger in susceptible women.

Survey study, 1992

Do women with menstrual cycle symptoms have worse overall health and well-being?

Women with perimenstrual symptoms reported more physical health problems, lower psychological well-being, less satisfaction with social life, and less social support. This held true even though they had similar jobs and education to women without symptoms.

Survey study, 1991

How do stress hormones affect the menstrual cycle and PMS?

Stress hormones in the brain can suppress the hormones needed for normal menstruation and ovulation. Changes in certain brain chemicals during the cycle may be linked to PMS symptoms, but evidence comes mainly from animal studies and theory rather than clinical trials.

Survey study, 1991

How common are menstrual symptoms in working women?

The most common symptoms were weight gain and swelling (over 60% of women), followed by anxiety, tension, irritability, fatigue, cramps, breast pain, mood swings, and food cravings. Symptoms were more common in younger women.

Study, 1990

Can family therapy help PMS?

A single case showed that when a nurse used family therapy techniques with a couple, it changed how they interacted and helped with PMS symptoms.

Survey study, 1990

Are women more likely to die at certain times in their menstrual cycle?

No. Deaths from all causes were spread evenly across all phases of the menstrual cycle, with no clear pattern.

Survey study, 1989

Are premenstrual symptoms as common as period pain in teenage girls?

Premenstrual symptoms are very common in teenage girls (86%), as common as period pain (91%). Most girls don't know what causes these symptoms or how to treat them.

Study, 1989

Does PMS affect how women perform at work?

We don't know yet. Very few studies have examined whether PMS affects work behavior.

Cohort study, 1989

Can women without a uterus still get PMS?

Yes. Three women without a uterus but with intact ovaries had PMS when tracked daily, showing that PMS is linked to ovarian hormones, not the uterus or psychological factors.

Study, 1989

Are stress and personality traits linked to having worse premenstrual symptoms?

College women with worse premenstrual symptoms had significantly more self-focused thinking than the other groups. They also tended to report higher general stress. Together, high stress and high self-preoccupation appeared only in the premenstrual symptom group.

Survey study, 1989

Does drinking tea cause premenstrual syndrome?

Tea consumption was strongly linked to having PMS in this study, and the more tea women drank, the more likely they were to have symptoms.

Study, 1988

Should PMS always be treated as a medical problem?

This article argues not necessarily. It says the idea of a common cyclical syndrome among women is questionable, and that treating the premenstrual period as a medical issue is also a political matter, not only a health one.

Survey study, 1988

How common is severe PMS and does it affect work attendance and healthcare visits?

Severe premenstrual symptoms were common, occurring in 44% of women with strong symptoms and 18% with acute symptoms. Women with severe symptoms were more likely to miss work and visit doctors for menstrual problems.

Interview study, 1987

Is premenstrual syndrome unique to Western culture?

The author argues that PMS functions as a culture-specific syndrome reflecting conflicts about women's roles in Western society, though it also has biological roots. This is theoretical analysis, not research with patient data.

Study, 1987

How do job stress and teamwork affect cycle length, regularity, and cycle synchrony?

Women in jobs where teamwork was high or moderate had synchronized cycles. Women with high job stress and anxiety had longer, less regular cycles. Women in high-stress, low-teamwork jobs did not sync with coworkers.

Review, 1987

How can gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog drugs be used to treat gynaecological conditions?

This review notes that GnRH analog drugs reduce hormone production and are being studied as potential treatments for several gynaecological conditions, though evidence is still being gathered.

Survey study, 1986

How common are hostile feelings and social problems before periods?

These symptoms vary greatly by group studied: from 15% to 83% for hostile feelings, and from 14% to 92% for social functioning problems.

Study, 1986

What are the typical symptoms of PMS and who gets it?

The most common symptoms are irritability, depression, and abdominal bloating. PMS is found across women of different ages and life situations.

Survey study, 1986

How much does PMS affect women's work performance?

Most women (65%) reported that their physical work performance decreased 54% of the time due to PMS. They also reported that concentration during mental work decreased 54% of the time.

Study, 1986

Do women in the premenstrual phase see social situations differently than other women and men?

Yes. Women in the premenstrual phase reported feeling more dominant, energetic, indifferent, negative and tense when watching a social interaction, and they judged the situation and people differently than other women and men.

Study, 1984

Can nurse practitioners help with menstrual disorders?

Yes, nurse practitioners with clinical skills and concern for emotional well-being can help women with premenstrual tension, painful periods, and missing periods through education, diagnosis, and management.

Survey study, 1984

How do pain sensitivity and anxiety change through the menstrual cycle?

Anxiety and a brain chemical were only linked during the menstrual phase. Pain sensitivity did not clearly change through the cycle.

Survey study, 1983

What menstrual symptoms do women report?

Women report many different menstrual symptoms that vary widely in type and severity. The symptoms include physical, mood, concentration, and behavior changes.

Survey study, 1979

Are moods linked to hormone levels during the menstrual cycle?

In this group of healthy women, mood and enjoyment of activities did not change during different cycle phases, and there was no relationship between mood and the levels of reproductive hormones.

Study, 1931

What types of health problems happen before menstruation?

Women experience a range of premenstrual problems from mild discomfort including fatigue and difficulty concentrating to severe pain requiring bed rest to serious symptoms like convulsions.

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