title: Epidemiology of premenstrual symptoms and disorders.
abstract: The aim of this paper is to review published literature on the types and prevalences of premenstrual disorders and symptoms, and effects of these on activities of daily life and other parameters of burden of illness. The method involved review of the pertinent published literature. Premenstrual disorders vary in prevalence according to the definition or categorization. The most severe disorder being premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects 3-8% of women of reproductive age. This disorder focuses on psychological symptoms whereas global studies show that the most prevalent premenstrual symptoms are physical. Both psychological and physical symptoms affect women's activities of daily life. A considerable burden of illness has been shown to be associated with moderate to severe premenstrual disorders. In conclusion, premenstrual symptoms are a frequent source of concern to women during their reproductive lives and moderate to severe symptoms impact on their quality of lives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, National Aging Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. lorrdenn@aol.com
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dennerstein
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lehert
authors.forename: Klaas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heinemann
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D017281:Cost of Illness; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index