Cohort study, 1995
How many different patterns of PMS symptoms exist?
PMS is unique for each woman. Out of 86 possible symptom combinations, 84 different patterns were found. Most women reported about 4 main symptoms, showing that PMS is highly individual.
What they did
98 women seeking PMS treatment completed symptom assessments. When given a prepared symptom list they selected many items. When self-reporting in ranked order they reported fewer. Researchers created symptom profiles from 5 categories.
What they found
Most women reported only 4 rank-ordered main symptoms. Out of 86 possible symptom profiles, 84 different profiles were found. Psychological symptoms dominated the reports.
What it means for you
PMS is not a one-size-fits-all condition but looks different for each woman. Each woman's pattern is defined by a limited number of core symptoms. Limitation: observational study shows patterns, not proof of what causes them.
98
women studied
84
different symptom patterns found
4
main symptoms per woman
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual complaints: an idiosyncratic syndrome
- Authors
- Gotts G, Morse CA, Dennerstein L
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 98
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01674829509025654