---
title: What premenstrual symptoms do Icelandic women experience? | Niyora
description: Icelandic women experience the same kinds of premenstrual symptoms as women in other countries, most commonly bloating, mood swings, irritability, and abdomin
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/retrospective-assessment-of-premenstrual-changes-in-icelandic-women-1991/
---

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- What premenstrual symptoms do Icelandic women experience?

Survey study, 1991

# What premenstrual symptoms do Icelandic women experience?

Icelandic women experience the same kinds of premenstrual symptoms as women in other countries, most commonly bloating, mood swings, irritability, and abdominal pain. Over 40% say these symptoms harm their relationships with partners and children.

 Early or limited evidence

Icelandic women aged 29 to 40 years

## What they did

Researchers asked 29- to 40-year-old Icelandic women about their premenstrual symptoms using a questionnaire adapted from a tool used in earlier studies. They asked women to look back on their experiences.

## What they found

The most common symptoms were bloating, mood swings, irritability, abdominal discomfort, and impatience. Women with worse symptoms in the week before their period tended to have more symptoms at other times too. More than 40% said their symptoms negatively affected relationships with partners and children. Women with severe symptoms were more likely to seek support from family and friends.

## What it means for you

This shows that premenstrual symptoms are common in Iceland just as they are elsewhere. The main limitation is that women were asked to remember their symptoms from the past rather than reporting them as they happen, which can be less reliable.

40%

women reporting negative effects on relationships

## About the study

Original title Retrospective assessment of premenstrual changes in Icelandic women Authors Sveinsdóttir H, Marteinsdóttir G Journal Health care for women international Year 1991 Study design Survey study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/07399339109515953](https://doi.org/10.1080/07399339109515953)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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