Survey study, 2026
Are PMS and PMDD the same condition or are they different?
They are different. PMDD is more severe and causes significant distress and impairment in work and relationships, while PMS is broader and milder. PMDD requires more intensive treatment.
What they did
Editorial commentary discussing diagnostic differences between PMS and PMDD, citing a systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 Indian studies involving 8,542 subjects total.
What they found
From Indian studies: PMS prevalence 43%, PMDD 8%. PMDD involves mood, physical, or cognitive symptoms during most menstrual cycles, starting days before menses. Symptoms include mood swings, feeling low, worried, irritable, joint aches, and increased appetite or sleep. PMDD causes significant distress and work or personal impairment. PMS is broader and may not be disabling. PMDD has distinct biological mechanisms including hormonal sensitivity and neurotransmitter dysregulation.
What it means for you
PMS and PMDD are separate conditions needing different approaches. PMDD needs intensive treatment like SSRIs or hormonal medications, while PMS may not. The underlying difference is severity and impact on functioning. Main limitation: this is an editorial based on other studies, not new research.
43%
prevalence of PMS
8%
prevalence of PMDD
8542
subjects in pooled analysis
About the study
- Original title
- Should premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder coexist in diagnostic manuals?
- Authors
- Alicia Perti, Suprakash Chaudhury, Shreya Gaikwad
- Journal
- Industrial Psychiatry Journal
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 8,542
- What was tested
- None assessed
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_99_25
Topics
Related studies
Review, 2015
What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?
Cohort study, 2022
What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated?
Randomised trial, 2023
What does research show about PMDD neurochemistry?
Survey study, 2020
What symptoms best predict whether PMDD will seriously affect daily life?
Review, 2019
What is the current evidence for diagnosing and treating PMDD, especially in Indian women?
Review, 2013
What treatments work best for PMDD?