Survey study, 2011
How do premenstrual symptoms change as women age, and what factors influence them?
Premenstrual symptoms follow different patterns as women age: some stay the same, some decrease, some peak around age 35, and others peak around age 40-44. Smoking is linked to more symptoms, and having more pregnancies is linked to fewer symptoms.
What they did
This global survey included 7,226 women aged 15-49 from 11 countries. Women answered questions about 23 premenstrual symptoms and lifestyle factors including smoking and pregnancy history.
What they found
Four symptom patterns emerged with age: symptoms staying constant, decreasing, peaking around age 35, or peaking around age 40-44. Skin problems, low energy, appetite changes, joint/muscle/back pain, anger, bloating, depressed mood, and irritability showed the most consistent patterns. Smoking was associated with more symptoms. More pregnancies were associated with fewer symptoms.
What it means for you
PMS symptoms vary over a woman's reproductive years in different ways. Some improve with age and pregnancy while others emerge later. Smoking appears to worsen symptoms, so quitting may help. This large multi-country study strengthens the findings, but it cannot show whether these factors directly cause changes in symptoms.
7,226
women surveyed
11
countries included
23
premenstrual symptoms assessed
About the study
- Original title
- Global epidemiological study of variation of premenstrual symptoms with age and sociodemographic factors
- Authors
- Dennerstein L, Lehert P, Heinemann K
- Journal
- Menopause international
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 7,226
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1258/mi.2011.011028
Topics
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