---
title: How common are premenstrual symptoms in Pakistani women and how much do they affect daily life?
description: Premenstrual symptoms are very common, with 5.5% to 79.9% diagnosed depending on the classification system used. 98.8% of women were unaware they had a recogn
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-in-pakistani-women-and-their-effect-on-activities-of-daily-2011/
---

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- How common are premenstrual symptoms in Pakistani women and how much do they affect daily life?

Survey study, 2011

# How common are premenstrual symptoms in Pakistani women and how much do they affect daily life?

Premenstrual symptoms are very common, with 5.5% to 79.9% diagnosed depending on the classification system used. 98.8% of women were unaware they had a recognized condition. More severe symptoms strongly predicted whether women sought medical help.

 Moderate study design

402 Pakistani women aged 15-49 from three cities

## What they did

Cross-sectional survey of 402 Pakistani women aged 15-49 from three cities (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad). They completed a checklist of 23 premenstrual symptoms and answered questions about lifestyle.

## What they found

Using different diagnostic systems, 79.9% had PMS, 12.7% met another set of criteria, and 5.5% had severe PMS. 98.8% were unaware of PMS as a diagnosis. Common symptoms were bloating, cramps, lack of energy, irritability, and mood swings. More women with severe symptoms sought medical help: 12.7% for PMS, 25.6% for the second criteria, and 40.9% for severe PMS.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms are very common in Pakistani women, but almost all are unaware it is a recognized condition. Physical symptoms dominate, and symptom severity strongly predicts whether women seek medical help. Results are specific to Pakistan.

98.8%

Women unaware of PMS diagnosis

79.9%

Women with PMS

5.5%

Women with severe PMS

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual symptoms in Pakistani women and their effect on activities of daily life Authors Pal SA, Dennerstein L, Lehert P Journal JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association Year 2011 Study design Survey study Participants 402 What was tested None - observational survey Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22355998/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22355998/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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