---
title: How common are premenstrual symptoms and what treats them? | Niyora
description: About 40% of women experience weight gain, abdominal pain, and irritability before their period. These symptoms often improve with a water pill and eating les
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-premenstrual-syndrome-1965-e31068/
---

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- How common are premenstrual symptoms and what treats them?

Study, 1965

# How common are premenstrual symptoms and what treats them?

About 40% of women experience weight gain, abdominal pain, and irritability before their period. These symptoms often improve with a water pill and eating less salt during the week before menstruation.

 Early or limited evidence

Women in menstruating years

## What they did

This is a discussion of a book about premenstrual syndrome and its symptoms in women who menstruate.

## What they found

About 40% of women experience weight gain, vague abdominal pain, and irritability during the week or so before menstruation. Quick improvement often happens with an oral diuretic and modest salt restriction during the last week of the cycle.

## What it means for you

This suggests premenstrual symptoms are common and respond to simple treatments like water pills and less salt. However, it notes concerns that PMS may be over-diagnosed or connected to too many different health issues.

40%

Women with premenstrual symptoms

## About the study

Original title THE PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME Authors KRAMP JL Journal Lancet (London, England) Year 1965 Study design Study What was tested Diuretics and salt restriction Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(65)90776-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(65)90776-2)

## Topics

[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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

Cohort study, 2023

Are PMS symptoms linked to genetic factors for psychiatric disorders?

Systematic review, 2022

Do mental health disorders get worse during the menstrual cycle?

Review, 2002

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Survey study, 2026

What is the true rate of PMDD, and does it worsen mental health conditions?

Review, 2003

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

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