---
title: What is PMS and how should doctors diagnose it? | Niyora
description: PMS is a disorder with symptoms only during the luteal phase, with at least one week each cycle completely symptom-free. Symptoms must interfere significantly
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-an-update-for-the-clinician-1990/
---

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- What is PMS and how should doctors diagnose it?

Randomised trial, 1990

# What is PMS and how should doctors diagnose it?

PMS is a disorder with symptoms only during the luteal phase, with at least one week each cycle completely symptom-free. Symptoms must interfere significantly with normal life. Up to 50% of people who think they have PMS actually have depression instead.

 Moderate study design

General literature review; no specific participants

## What they did

This clinical review describes how to diagnose PMS and summarizes available treatments based on double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

## What they found

PMS diagnosis requires prospective symptom tracking showing symptoms only in the luteal phase and at least one symptom-free week in the follicular phase. Symptoms must be severe enough to disrupt normal function. Most patients with suspected PMS actually have a depressive disorder. Laboratory tests are not helpful for diagnosis. Treatment varies by symptom type.

## What it means for you

The key takeaway is that many people are misdiagnosed. Proper diagnosis requires careful tracking. This is a summary of existing knowledge rather than a new study.

50

Percentage of suspected PMS patients who actually have depression

1

Minimum weeks symptom-free in follicular phase for PMS diagnosis

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome: an update for the clinician Authors Chihal HJ Journal Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America Year 1990 Study design Randomised trial Participants 50 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0889-8545(21)00224-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0889-8545(21)00224-2)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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

Cohort study, 2026

What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Systematic review, 2026

How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together?

Survey study, 2025

Is premenstrual syndrome inherited from your family?

Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Systematic review, 2024

How common is PMDD?

Cohort study, 2023

Are PMS symptoms linked to genetic factors for psychiatric disorders?

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