---
title: How common are menstrual cycle symptoms and how should doctors discuss them?
description: 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.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/communicating-with-women-about-menstrual-cycle-symptoms-2008/
---

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- How common are menstrual cycle symptoms and how should doctors discuss them?

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.

 Early or limited evidence

General population of reproductive-aged women (review article)

## What they did

Review and position paper drawing on existing evidence about menstrual cycle symptoms and their treatment. Not a new research study collecting data.

## What they found

85% of women experience physical or emotional menstrual cycle changes. Up to 40% are bothered enough to need help. Dysmenorrhea is the most common reason young women miss work. Many treatments exist but women do not discuss symptoms with doctors.

## What it means for you

Menstrual symptoms are extremely common and treatable but under-discussed in healthcare. Better doctor-patient communication can improve outcomes and quality of life. Based on existing evidence, not new data.

85%

experience cycle changes

40%

bothered by symptoms

under 30

age of most work absences

## About the study

Original title Communicating with women about menstrual cycle symptoms Authors Ballagh SA, Heyl A Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 2008 Study design Survey study What was tested Educational; emphasis on doctor-patient communication about cycle symptoms. Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19097516/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19097516/)

## 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/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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

## Related studies

Survey study, 2008

What are the symptoms and treatment options for menstrual cycle-related problems?

Review, 2015

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

Review, 2008

What medications are FDA-approved for treating PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2001

Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

Systematic review, 2024

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Systematic review, 2023

How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes?

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