---
title: Can evolution explain why women get premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: One theory suggests PMS happens because positive feelings during fertile periods naturally fade, which women notice as symptoms. Some women might experience o
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/an-evolutionary-model-of-premenstrual-syndrome-2008/
---

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- Can evolution explain why women get premenstrual syndrome?

Study, 2008

# Can evolution explain why women get premenstrual syndrome?

One theory suggests PMS happens because positive feelings during fertile periods naturally fade, which women notice as symptoms. Some women might experience opposite patterns if their life circumstances make other times more favorable for reproduction.

 Early or limited evidence

No specific population studied

## What they did

This was a theoretical paper proposing a new way of thinking about PMS using evolution as a framework. The author analyzed how evolution might shape women's moods and behaviors differently depending on their life conditions.

## What they found

The theory predicts two patterns: women ready to reproduce experience good moods during fertile days and then symptoms before their period, while women not ready to reproduce might experience good moods before their period instead. These patterns could shift throughout a woman's life as her circumstances change.

## What it means for you

This is a new way to think about PMS based on evolution, but it is a theory that needs testing, not proven fact. The main limit is that it is based on evolutionary thinking but not on direct observations of women's actual experiences.

## About the study

Original title An evolutionary model of premenstrual syndrome Authors Reiber C Journal Medical hypotheses Year 2008 Study design Study What was tested None - theoretical framework proposed Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2007.08.031](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2007.08.031)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)

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