Review, 1996
What does typical PMS research look like and what do studies generally find?
Most PMS studies include 20 to 80 people and track the same women over time. They consistently find that negative mood and body symptoms get worse before or during the period, especially in women who say they have PMS.
What they did
Analyzed 315 research abstracts about PMS or menstrual tension published between January 1990 and February 1996. Identified the most common study design and findings to describe what a typical PMS study looks like.
What they found
The typical study has 20 to 80 nonpathological subjects and uses a within-subjects design where the same people are measured at different times. Studies report that negative psychological and physical symptoms increase premenstrually or menstrually. Changes are more pronounced in groups identified with symptoms.
What it means for you
Most PMS research is based on small studies of women who already believe they have symptoms. It is unclear whether their symptoms actually worsen or whether women who identify as having PMS are more aware of normal cycle changes.
315
total abstracts analyzed
20 to 80
typical number of subjects per study
About the study
- Original title
- The modal study on premenstrual syndrome or tension: a content analysis of 315 recent abstracts along global dimensions
- Authors
- Whissell C
- Journal
- Psychological reports
- Year
- 1996
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Analysis of other studies, not applicable
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1996.79.3f.1360
Topics
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