Systematic review, 2025
How common is PMS in China?
About 48% of Chinese women have PMS (confidence interval 44-53%), making it a common health issue. Rates vary widely depending on how it's measured and the region studied.
What they did
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 77 studies involving 108,178 Chinese women. Researchers looked at how common PMS was, how it varied by screening method, region, urban vs. rural setting, and age.
What they found
The pooled prevalence of PMS was 48% (95% confidence interval 44-53%). Prevalence varied significantly depending on the screening tool, region, setting, and mean age. Studies using prospective tools (tracking symptoms over time) showed lower PMS rates than other methods.
What it means for you
About half of Chinese women have PMS, making it a common health issue. The wide variation in prevalence depending on the screening method suggests different tools identify different groups. Future research should investigate risk factors and prevention. Limited by: all studies urban-based; publication bias likely; high variation between studies.
48%
Pooled prevalence of PMS in China
44-53%
95% confidence interval for PMS
77
Studies analyzed
About the study
- Original title
- The prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in China: a systematic review and meta-analyses
- Authors
- Yang Y, Jia Y, Fu S et al.
- Journal
- Frontiers in psychiatry
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1640781
Original abstract
Background: Reliable estimates of the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) serve as the basis for adequate prevention and treatment. However, the prevalence of PMS has rarely been synthesized at the Chinese level. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analyses to provide accurate and comprehensive evidence on the prevalence of PMS in China. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Information, Chinese Scientific Journal (VIP), Wan fang and China Biology Medicine databases were systematically searched from inception until March 8, 2025. The prevalence of PMS in China was analyzed using a random effects model. Results: A total of 77 studies (108,178 participants) were included in the meta-analyses. The pooled prevalence of PMS in China was 48% (95% CI, 44-53%). Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences in the prevalence of PMS according to the screening tool, region, setting, and mean age. Meta-regression analyses indicated that using a prospective tool was significantly associated with lower prevalence. Limitations: There was a high degree of heterogeneity among the included studies; The included studies were conducted in urban areas; There was significant publication bias in this meta - analyses; Current meta-analyses contain insufficient information on many risk factors for PMS in China. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that most Chinese women have PMS. Given the prevalence of PMS in China, future studies should explore its risk and protective factors, provide regular screening, and implement effective preventive and treatment measures for this demographic.
Reproduced under CC-BY.