---
title: What is the difference between PMS and PMDD? | Niyora
description: PMS affects about 75% of women and lasts a week or two before the period. PMDD is a more severe form affecting 3-6% of women, and both are diagnosed by tracki
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-pms-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd-2010/
---

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- What is the difference between PMS and PMDD?

Study, 2010

# What is the difference between PMS and PMDD?

PMS affects about 75% of women and lasts a week or two before the period. PMDD is a more severe form affecting 3-6% of women, and both are diagnosed by tracking symptoms over several cycles, not blood tests.

 Early or limited evidence

General information about women of reproductive age

## What they did

This is an educational article providing information about PMS and PMDD, their symptoms, prevalence, and how they are diagnosed.

## What they found

PMS includes emotional and physical symptoms that last a week or two before the period and stop shortly after it starts. About 75% of women experience PMS at some point before menopause. PMDD is a more severe form affecting 3-6% of women. PMDD can interfere with daily life and relationships. Women who have had major depression are more likely to have PMDD. PMS and PMDD have the same physical symptoms, but PMDD has more severe mood symptoms. Diagnosis requires tracking both mood and physical symptoms over 2-3 cycles, not blood or laboratory tests.

## What it means for you

Since PMDD is less common and more severe, it's important to track symptoms over several cycles to determine whether someone has PMS or PMDD, and which one requires treatment. Blood tests cannot diagnose these conditions, so medical providers rely on what women report about their symptoms and when they occur.

about 75%

women who experience PMS

3-6%

women who experience PMDD

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Authors Rogerio A. Løbo, JoAnn V. Pinkerton Journal The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Year 2010 Study design Study Participants 75 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1210/jcem.95.4.9998](https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.95.4.9998)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[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

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