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.
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