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.
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
Topics
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