---
title: How common are premenstrual symptoms and do they interfere with daily life?
description: Premenstrual symptoms are very common (87% lifetime prevalence), but most are mild to moderate. Only 3.2% report severe symptoms, and few women report that sy
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/epidemiology-of-premenstrual-symptoms-in-a-nonclinical-sample-i-prevalence-1988/
---

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- How common are premenstrual symptoms and do they interfere with daily life?

Survey study, 1988

# How common are premenstrual symptoms and do they interfere with daily life?

Premenstrual symptoms are very common (87% lifetime prevalence), but most are mild to moderate. Only 3.2% report severe symptoms, and few women report that symptoms interfere significantly with work.

 Early or limited evidence

730 nursing school graduates surveyed by mail.

## What they did

Researchers surveyed 730 nursing school graduates (from a mailed survey of 996) about their menstrual cycle and premenstrual symptoms.

## What they found

87% of women reported having had premenstrual symptoms at some point. Only 3.2% reported severe symptoms. Most women used self-help measures: 41.8% exercised, 24.6% changed their diet, and 18.9% took vitamins. 17% saw a doctor about symptoms. 22% were using a drug for symptoms at the time of the survey. Despite widespread treatment, few women reported significant work impairment.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms are very common but usually mild. Most women manage with exercise, diet, and vitamins rather than seeing a doctor. This suggests PMS doesn't usually stop women from functioning in daily life. The study only included nurses, so results may not apply to all women.

87%

lifetime prevalence of symptoms

3.2%

reported severe symptoms

41.8%

used exercise as self-help

## About the study

Original title Epidemiology of premenstrual symptoms in a nonclinical sample. I. Prevalence, natural history and help-seeking behavior Authors Johnson SR, McChesney C, Bean JA Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 1988 Study design Survey study Participants 730 What was tested None, observational survey Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3367333/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3367333/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Diagnosis experience and healthcare access](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-healthcare-access/)

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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

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Non-randomised trial, 2024

Does PMS education and medical help reduce symptoms and improve work performance?

Interview study, 2021

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Systematic review, 2026

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Randomised trial, 2025

How effective are non-hormonal treatments for severe PMS?

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