---
title: How common are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Saudi Arabia?
description: Nearly two-thirds of Saudi women surveyed had clinically significant PMS and 12.2% had the more severe PMDD, with mood problems being the most common symptoms
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-symptoms-severity-2025/
---

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- How common are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Saudi Arabia?

Survey study, 2025

# How common are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Saudi Arabia?

Nearly two-thirds of Saudi women surveyed had clinically significant PMS and 12.2% had the more severe PMDD, with mood problems being the most common symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

623 Saudi women surveyed through social media

## What they did

Cross-sectional survey of 623 Saudi women recruited through social media. Women answered questions about menstrual history and PMS symptoms using standardized screening tools.

## What they found

63.6% had clinically significant PMS, 21.8% had mild PMS, 12.2% had PMDD, and 2.4% had no PMS. Most symptoms were moderate to severe. Mood symptoms dominated, including mood swings, feeling tearful, irritability, low self-identity, and depressed mood. Emotional and physical symptoms were more severe in PMDD than in milder PMS groups. Differences related to menstrual flow duration and pad use, but not to personal characteristics.

## What it means for you

PMS is very common in Saudi Arabia and primarily affects mood. The moderate-to-severe form is most typical. This was a convenience sample through social media so may not represent all Saudi women, but shows PMS significantly impacts women's productivity.

63.6%

had clinically significant PMS

12.2%

had PMDD

623

women surveyed

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Symptoms severity, functional impairment, and associated factors: A Saudi cross-sectional study Authors Sayed SH, Al-Mohaithef M, Ibrahim EM et al. Journal Journal of education and health promotion Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 623 What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_708_24](https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_708_24)

## 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/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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

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