---
title: What medical history factors affect how severe PMS symptoms are?
description: Family history of PMS, low exercise, younger age, and having more children explained about a third of the differences in symptom severity between women. The s
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-medical-history-factors-on-symptom-severity-in-women-meeting-criteria-1988/
---

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- What medical history factors affect how severe PMS symptoms are?

Non-randomised trial, 1988

# What medical history factors affect how severe PMS symptoms are?

Family history of PMS, low exercise, younger age, and having more children explained about a third of the differences in symptom severity between women. The study was small and uncontrolled, so we cannot be confident these are the only factors.

 Early or limited evidence

60 women seeking medical treatment with moderate to severe premenstrual mood changes who met PMS criteria

## What they did

60 women with moderate to severe PMS symptoms were monitored daily for 2 untreated cycles and 2 placebo cycles. Researchers used statistical analysis to identify which factors predicted worse symptoms.

## What they found

Four factors explained 34% of differences in symptom severity: PMS in the patient's mother, low level of exercise, younger age, and having more children.

## What it means for you

Family and lifestyle factors may play a role in PMS severity. This study was the first to identify these particular relationships. However, the sample was small and there was no control group, so findings need confirmation in larger studies.

60

women studied

34%

variance in symptom severity explained

4

medical history factors identified

## About the study

Original title Effects of medical history factors on symptom severity in women meeting criteria for premenstrual syndrome Authors Freeman EW, Sondheimer SJ, Rickels K Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 1988 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 60 What was tested None (observation only) Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3134629/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3134629/)

## Topics

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

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