--- title: What do men think about partners with PMS and how does it affect their behavior? description: Men's views about PMS are shaped by seeing it as a medical problem rather than part of a normal cycle. This belief changes how couples relate to each other. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/men-s-perceptions-and-attitudes-toward-the-partner-with-premenstrual-syndrome-2014/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What do men think about partners with PMS and how does it affect their behavior? Interview study, 2014 # What do men think about partners with PMS and how does it affect their behavior? Men's views about PMS are shaped by seeing it as a medical problem rather than part of a normal cycle. This belief changes how couples relate to each other. Early or limited evidence 20 young Brazilian men aged 21 to 29 years with women partners experiencing PMS ## What they did Researchers interviewed 20 young men aged 21 to 29 years in Brazil about their thoughts and behavior toward women partners with PMS. ## What they found Men's perceptions were shaped by medical ideas about PMS. They believed their partners' emotions and behaviors were determined by PMS on certain days. This affected couple relationships. Women's complaints about PMS became invisible unless they were seen as a serious medical problem needing treatment, rather than as part of normal cycles. ## What it means for you Understanding how men think about their partners' PMS could help improve communication between couples and healthcare support. The study involved only a small group of young men from one country. 20 Young men interviewed 21-29 Age range of participants ## About the study Original title Men's perceptions and attitudes toward the partner with premenstrual syndrome Authors Reberte LM, de Andrade JH, Hoga LA et al. Journal American journal of men's health Year 2014 Study design Interview study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1177/1557988313497050](https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988313497050) Original abstract This study focused on the young adult men's perceptions and behavior toward their women partners who they acknowledged as experiencing the effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A qualitative study was conducted, framed by social constructivism, where individual interviews with 20 young Brazilian men aged 21 to 29 years were analyzed thematically. Four descriptive categories to express the men's experiences: (a) men's observations on partner's behavior changes, (b) early in the relationship: apprehension and confusion, (c) knowledge about PMS led men to better understanding about changes, and (d) need for support from a health care provider and medication. The men's perceptions and behavior toward their partners were strongly influenced by biomedical conceptions of PMS. Participants believed that their partners' emotions and behaviors were determined by PMS during some days of the month, consequently PMS had affected the couple's relationship. Another consequence of such medicalization was that women's complaints about PMS were rendered invisible except when viewed as a serious medical problem requiring cure, rather than a part of women's cyclical patterns. It is the case that the systematic description of men's perceptions about their partner's PMS provides an approach to this topic in educational and health care activities, with the potential to improve gender relations. Reproduced under CC-BY-SA. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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 Study, 2026 What coping strategies help women manage PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2024 Does education about PMS help couples' satisfaction and adjustment? Survey study, 2022 Do different healthcare providers differ in recognizing and treating PMDD? Randomised trial, 2017 Can couples therapy help with severe PMS or PMDD more than individual therapy alone? Survey study, 2015 What helps high school girls manage premenstrual symptoms? Survey study, 2026 Does being kind to yourself help reduce how negative attitudes about menstruation worsen PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗