---
title: Why do PMS studies give such different results? | Niyora
description: Because researchers have not carefully defined what PMS is, chosen groups of women who are similar to each other, or asked clear questions before starting the
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndromes-overview-from-a-methodologic-perspective-1984/
---

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- Why do PMS studies give such different results?

Survey study, 1984

# Why do PMS studies give such different results?

Because researchers have not carefully defined what PMS is, chosen groups of women who are similar to each other, or asked clear questions before starting their studies.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of existing research; no subjects studied

## What they did

Reviewed available evidence on what PMS is, what causes it, and how to treat it. Identified problems with how previous studies were designed.

## What they found

Researchers have failed to carefully define the premenstrual syndromes, formulate answerable questions, or select homogeneous groups. This causes contradictory results and confusion about the cause and treatment of PMS.

## What it means for you

Future research on PMS needs better planning and clearer definitions. The authors recommend that investigators and clinicians be more careful about studying the relationship between mood changes and the menstrual cycle.

Review article

No empirical data presented

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndromes: overview from a methodologic perspective Authors Rubinow DR, Roy-Byrne P Journal The American journal of psychiatry Year 1984 Study design Survey study What was tested None; review article Read the paper [doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.2.163](https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.2.163)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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.

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