Survey study, 2006
How common is PMS in teenage girls and how severe are the symptoms?
31% of the teenage girls met the criteria for PMS. The most severe symptoms were mood swings, anxiety, and irritability, with the biggest problems at home.
What they did
Cross-sectional study. Adolescents ages 13 to 18 years completed a symptom questionnaire, functional impairment ratings, and a medical history questionnaire during an office visit.
What they found
Of the 94 participants, 31% met PMS criteria, 54% said they had PMS but did not meet criteria, and 15% clearly had no PMS. In the PMS group, the most severe symptoms were mood swings, anxiety, and irritability, with the greatest impairment in the home and family domain. Dysmenorrhea and the duration of PMS were significantly associated with PMS.
What it means for you
PMS is common in teenage girls. However, this study was cross-sectional and only assessed symptoms once. The researchers recommend prospective studies to confirm these findings.
31%
Met PMS criteria
54%
Said they had PMS but did not meet criteria
16.5 years
Mean age
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in adolescents: severity and impairment
- Authors
- Vichnin M, Freeman EW, Lin H et al.
- Journal
- Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 94
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2006.06.015
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2025
Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?
Randomised trial, 2004
Which low-dose birth control pill has better cycle control and fewer side effects?
Survey study, 2026
Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls?
Survey study, 2026
What factors are linked with period pain in teenage girls in Ethiopia?
Cohort study, 2023
Do girls with intellectual disability have worse menstrual quality of life?
Survey study, 2023
How common are menstrual problems in university students, and do they affect quality of life?