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Who Is Affected by PMS

Most menstruating women have one or more premenstrual symptoms at some time during their lives.

When premenstrual physical and emotional symptoms interfere with your relationships or responsibilities, they are called premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

When these emotional symptoms or aggression are severe, they are called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is not a common problem. It happens in only about 5 out of 100 women.1

Citations

  1. Katz VL, et al. (2007). Primary and secondary dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. In LO Eckert, GM Lentz, eds., Comprehensive Gynecology, 5th ed., pp. 901–913. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised June 8, 2010

Last Revised: June 8, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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