---
title: How common is PMS in French women and how stable is it over time?
description: 12.2% of French women reported PMS symptoms that affected their daily lives. PMS status fluctuated significantly over a year, with 72% of women with PMS showi
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-prevalence-and-fluctuation-over-time-results-from-a-french-2009/
---

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- How common is PMS in French women and how stable is it over time?

Cohort study, 2009

# How common is PMS in French women and how stable is it over time?

12.2% of French women reported PMS symptoms that affected their daily lives. PMS status fluctuated significantly over a year, with 72% of women with PMS showing changes.

 Moderate study design

2,863 French women of reproductive age

## What they did

A cohort study of 2,863 French women surveyed in 2003 and 2004 to measure PMS prevalence, identify risk factors, and track changes in PMS status over one year.

## What they found

4.1% of women had severe PMS (six or more symptoms) and 8.1% had moderate PMS (one to five symptoms). Among women who had PMS in one or both years, 72% showed fluctuation in their PMS status between 2003 and 2004. Risk factors included life stressors and hormone exposure.

## What it means for you

More women experience troubling PMS symptoms than strict PMDD diagnostic criteria capture. PMS is more variable over time than previously recognized, so doctors should expect changes when managing PMS long-term. Limitation: French population only, based on self-reported symptoms.

12.2%

Women reporting PMS affecting daily life

4.1%

Women with severe PMS

72%

PMS-positive women showing status fluctuation over one year

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome prevalence and fluctuation over time: results from a French population-based survey Authors Potter J, Bouyer J, Trussell J et al. Journal Journal of women's health (2002) Year 2009 Study design Cohort study Participants 2,863 What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2008.0932](https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2008.0932)

## Topics

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

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