---
title: How should doctors diagnose PMS and PMDD? | Niyora
description: Doctors should use symptom diaries and other proven diagnostic tools to distinguish PMS and PMDD from other conditions, though many overlapping symptoms make
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/advances-in-the-diagnosis-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-2010/
---

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- How should doctors diagnose PMS and PMDD?

Survey study, 2010

# How should doctors diagnose PMS and PMDD?

Doctors should use symptom diaries and other proven diagnostic tools to distinguish PMS and PMDD from other conditions, though many overlapping symptoms make diagnosis challenging.

 Early or limited evidence

Literature review of diagnostic approaches for PMS and PMDD across peer-reviewed publications

## What they did

Reviewed published articles and medical texts to gather information about diagnostic criteria, symptom diaries, and diagnostic tools for PMS and PMDD, and discussed challenges in diagnosis.

## What they found

Symptom diaries and other diagnostic tools help doctors distinguish PMS and PMDD from other conditions. Many different nonspecific symptoms occur in both PMS and PMDD, making diagnosis complicated. Underdiagnosis is common because many doctors lack training in the diagnostic process.

## What it means for you

Women should clearly report bothersome premenstrual symptoms. Doctors need more training to recognize and diagnose these conditions. Using proper diagnostic tools makes diagnosis more accurate. Main limitation: this is a review of existing knowledge, not new research.

## About the study

Original title Advances in the diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Futterman LA Journal Expert opinion on medical diagnostics Year 2010 Study design Survey study What was tested None (literature review) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1517/17530050903431418](https://doi.org/10.1517/17530050903431418)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Cohort study, 2026

What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Study, 2026

How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?

Systematic review, 2026

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

Case-control study, 2026

Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle?

Systematic review, 2025

Do people with PMDD and severe PMS have difficulties with emotion regulation?

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with a history of PMS or PMDD have more depression during pregnancy and after birth?

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