Review, 2017
What is premenstrual syndrome and what causes it?
PMS is a group of physical and behavioral symptoms occurring before your period that affects up to 80% of women, with 8% experiencing the severe form called PMDD. Researchers still do not fully understand what causes it.
What they did
Reviewed scientific research on PMS published over almost 60 years. Examined its biological basis, causes, and how it works in the body. Also considered evolutionary explanations for why women worldwide experience PMS.
What they found
PMS occurs during the late luteal phase (before your period) and is linked to ovulation. Up to 80% of women experience PMS, and about 8% have the severe form called premenstrual disphoric disorder (PMDD). Pregnancy and anovulatory cycles (periods without ovulation) eliminate symptoms.
What it means for you
Despite nearly 60 years of research, scientists still do not fully understand PMS. Some researchers even question whether it has a biological basis or is related to women's roles in society and culture. This is a review article, not new research.
almost 60
Years of PMS research
80%
Women diagnosed with PMS
8%
Women with severe form (PMDD)
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome: a short review
- Authors
- Anna Ziomkiewicz
- Journal
- Zdrowie Publiczne i Zarządzanie
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None (review)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4467/20842627oz.17.016.6786
Original abstract
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a complex cluster of physical and behavioral symptoms that occur during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in reproductive age women. PMS is inextricably associated with ovulation. Not only pregnancy blocks premenstrual symptoms but also in anovulatory cycles symptoms seem to disappear. It is diagnosed in up to 80% women, worldwide, with around 8% of women suffering from its most severe form – premenstrual disphoric disorder. Although this syndrome has been investigated for almost 60 years, researchers are still far from full understanding of this psycho-somatic condition. Some even question its biological basis and attribute it to specific role that women play in western society and culture. This short review summarizes past and current scientific perspective on PMS, including its etiology and physiology. This paper also discusses evolutionary hypotheses proposed to explain the universal occurrence of premenstrual symptoms in women worldwide.
Reproduced under CC-BY.