--- title: What percentage of women aged 20-35 have PMS symptoms and what types are most common? description: This survey of 252 women found that about half (45.2%) report moderate PMS symptoms and 40.1% report mild symptoms. The most common physical symptoms are brea url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-symptoms-in-women-of-reproductive-age-a-preliminary-report-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What percentage of women aged 20-35 have PMS symptoms and what types are most common? Survey study, 2023 # What percentage of women aged 20-35 have PMS symptoms and what types are most common? This survey of 252 women found that about half (45.2%) report moderate PMS symptoms and 40.1% report mild symptoms. The most common physical symptoms are breast tenderness and swelling (52.8%), skin lesions (44%), and cravings for salt or sugar (40.9%). Early or limited evidence 252 women aged 20-35 in Poland ## What they did A survey of 252 women aged 20-35 in Poland from February to June 2019. Women completed questionnaires about their PMS symptoms using a diagnostic survey and the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale. ## What they found 45.2% had moderate symptoms, 40.1% had mild symptoms. The most common symptoms were breast tenderness and swelling (52.8%), skin lesions (44%), and cravings for salt and sugar (40.9%). Women's education level affected how they perceived PMS symptoms, but age, physical activity, diet, vitamin D, and B supplementation did not relate to symptom severity. ## What it means for you Most women experience some PMS, with about half having moderate symptoms. Education level affects how women notice or report their symptoms. The study cannot prove that vitamin D or supplements do not help PMS because it only measured people's current practices, not the effects of taking supplements. 45.2% had moderate PMS symptoms 52.8% reported breast tenderness and swelling 40.9% reported cravings for salt or sugar ## About the study Original title Premenstrual syndrome symptoms in women of reproductive age – a preliminary report Authors Agnieszka Bałanda-Bałdyga, Klaudia Pałucka, Jagoda Niedźwiedź et al. Journal Kwartalnik Naukowy Fides et Ratio Year 2023 Study design Survey study Participants 252 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.34766/fetr.v55i3.1204](https://doi.org/10.34766/fetr.v55i3.1204) Original abstract Abstract: Most women experience at least one or more psychosomatic symptoms before their period, which are characteristic of premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether and to what extent women of childbearing age experience PMS and what is involved.Material and methods: The study was conducted between February and June 2019 at the Medical University of Lublin and the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, and at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic in Świdnik, among 252 women of reproductive age, aged 20-35. The paper uses the method of diagnostic survey, using its own questionnaire and the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale.Results: About half (45.2%) of the women had moderate severity of symptoms. In contrast, 40.5% of the respondents had no premenstrual syndrome symptoms (0.4%) or only mild symptoms (40.1%). The most common category of symptoms was physical symptoms, including the most common breast tenderness and swelling (52.8%), skin lesions (44%), and cravings for products with added salt and sugar (40.9%). The level of education of the women studied differentiated the perception of PMS symptoms (p = 0.001). The severity of the syndrome was not related to age (p = 0.097), physical activity (p = 0.054), dietary habits (p = 0.650), and vitamin D (p = 0.159) and B (p = 0.458) supplementation.Conclusions: The vast majority of women experience at least one symptom of premenstrual syndrome. Almost half of them have moderate premenstrual symptoms. The most common category of symptoms includes physical symptoms, especially breast tenderness and swelling, skin changes, and cravings for foods with added salt/sugar. Women's level of education makes a difference to their perception of PMS symptoms. The severity of the syndrome does not depend on age, physical activity, dietary habits or vitamin D and B supplementation.Keywords: menstrual cycle, premenstrual syndrome, dysphoric premenstrual disorder Reproduced under CC-BY. ## 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/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Vitamin D](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-d/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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 Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2026 How common is PMDD in Russian medical students, and what are its symptoms? Survey study, 2024 What types of premenstrual syndrome exist and how common are they? Survey study, 2020 How do diet and lifestyle factors relate to PMS and PMDD in medical students? Systematic review, 2026 Does vitamin D supplementation help PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗