Epidemiology

PMS symptoms are very common, but most women reporting these symptoms do not meet strict criteria for a diagnosis of PMS. Clinically significant PMS is thought to affect 3% to 8% of women, with a point prevalence of 20% to 30% in some studies.[1][7]​​​ Rates of PMDD are estimated to be between 2% and 5%, and women affected by the condition experience an average of 3000 symptomatic days (or 3.8 years) of disability in their reproductive years.[1]

PMS has been reported across different age groups and countries.[8][9][10]​​ It has been documented in adolescents, but literature in this age group is limited.[11] Perimenopausal women may be at risk for worsening PMS or PMDD based on ovarian hormone changes; although, similarly, women with a history of PMS/PMDD may be at increased risk for depressive disorders at this time.[12] Studies report PMS/PMDD in Middle Eastern, African, Icelandic, Mediterranean, and white US, Canadian, and British women. In the US, PMS/PMDD is more prevalent in white women than in black women.[13] However, black, indigenous, and other people of colour are significantly underrepresented in studies on premenstrual disorders.[1]​ Moreover, diagnostic criteria used for these studies differ, making a direct comparison of prevalence among different ethnicities challenging.[8][9][10]​ One study of 2,718 Asian, Latina, and Black premenopausal women aged 18-40 years found that those who experienced gender or racial discrimination were more likely to report premenstrual symptoms and PMDD.[14] This association between racial discrimination and adverse mental health effects is consistent with other research.[1]​​​

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