--- title: How common are premenstrual symptoms, what treatments do women use, and do they work? description: Between 11-32% reported severe or extreme symptoms, and 85% had tried treatments. Women reported that dietary changes, evening primrose oil, vitamins, and exe url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-in-general-practice-patients-prevalence-and-treatment-1997/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common are premenstrual symptoms, what treatments do women use, and do they work? Survey study, 1997 # How common are premenstrual symptoms, what treatments do women use, and do they work? Between 11-32% reported severe or extreme symptoms, and 85% had tried treatments. Women reported that dietary changes, evening primrose oil, vitamins, and exercise worked best. Early or limited evidence 310 Australian women aged 18-45 at general practices ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 310 Australian general practice patients aged 18-45 who had periods in the previous 3 months, asking about symptoms, treatments tried, perceived effectiveness, help-seeking, and desire for more help. ## What they found Between 11% and 32% of women reported severe or extreme changes on each of 10 premenstrual symptoms, with mood symptoms most common. 85% had tried treatments, most commonly painkillers, rest, drinking more fluid, and exercise. When asked which treatments worked best, women named dietary changes, evening primrose oil, vitamins including B6, and exercise. About 50% had sought help from a doctor and 45% wanted more help. Higher symptom scores were associated with endometriosis history, lower education, not taking birth control, and taking evening primrose oil or vitamin B6. ## What it means for you PMS is very common and most women try treatments, though the evidence is limited for most. Many women want more help. Women taking supplements had higher scores, which may mean they took them because they had worse symptoms, not that the supplements don't work. This is Australian data; patterns may differ in other places. 310 women surveyed 85% had tried treatments 45% wanted more help ## About the study Original title Premenstrual symptoms in general practice patients. Prevalence and treatment Authors Campbell EM, Peterkin D, O'Grady K et al. Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 1997 Study design Survey study Participants 310 What was tested None (survey of existing use) Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9350019/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9350019/) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)[Evening primrose oil](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-evening-primrose/)[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/)[Diagnosis experience and healthcare access](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-healthcare-access/) 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, 2002 Which PMS treatments have good scientific evidence? Review, 2023 Can herbs and supplements help with PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2007 What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome? Review, 2025 Do yoga and dietary changes help with PMS symptoms? Study, 2026 How can lifestyle changes help reduce premenstrual syndrome? Randomised trial, 2024 Does a supplement with Rhodiola, Vitex, and vitamin B6 reduce PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗