Table 4.
Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome symptoms by the level of severity (N = 305).
| Symptom | Never | Mild | Moderate | Severe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depressed mood | 57 (18.7%) | 136 (44.6%) | 90 (29.5%) | 22 (7.2%) |
| Hopelessness | 105 (34.4%) | 115 (37.7%) | 68 (22.3% | 17 (5.6%) |
| Guilt feeling | 105 (34.4%) | 84 (27.5%) | 92 (30.2%) | 24 (7.9%) |
| Anxiety/worry | 38 (12.5%) | 108 (35.4%) | 114 (37.4%) | 45 (14.8%) |
| Affective lability | 83 (27.2%) | 107 (35.1%) | 85 (27.9%) | 30 (9.8%) |
| Increased sensitivity toward others | 43 (14.1%) | 116 (38.0%) | 106 (34.8%) | 40 (13.1%) |
| Anger feelings | 41 (13.4%) | 119 (39.0%) | 91 (29.8%) | 54 (17.7%) |
| Easily irritated/agitated | 40 (13.1%) | 114 (37.4%) | 109 (35.7%) | 42 (13.8%) |
| Lack of interest | 67 (22.0%) | 120 (39.3%) | 92 (30.2%) | 26 (8.5%) |
| Difficulty concentrating | 60 (19.7%) | 124 (40.7%) | 88 (28.9%) | 33 (10.8%) |
| Loss of control | 93 (30.5%) | 117 (38.4%) | 77 (25.2%) | 18 (5.9%) |
| Feeling overwhelmed | 43 (14.1%) | 99 (32.5%) | 117 (38.4%) | 58 (19.0%) |
| Lethargy/fatigue/decreased energy | 25 (8.2%) | 102 (33.4%) | 120 (39.3%) | 58 (19.0%) |
| Increased appetite | 72 (23.6%) | 103 (33.8%) | 92 (30.2%) | 38 (12.5%) |
| Craving certain foods | 50 (16.4%) | 110 (36.1%) | 91 (29.8%) | 54 (17.7%) |
| Hypersomnia | 89 (29.2%) | 113 (37.0%) | 72 (23.6%) | 31 (10.2%) |
| Insomnia | 112 (36.7%) | 96 (31.5%) | 66 (21.6%) | 31 (10.2%) |
| Breast tenderness | 126 (41.3%) | 97 (31.8%) | 65 (21.3%) | 17 (5.6%) |
| Breast engorgement or weight gain | 114 (37.4%) | 102 (33.4%) | 73 (23.9%) | 16 (5.2%) |
| Headache | 67 (22.0%) | 118 (38.7%) | 90 (29.5%) | 30 (9.8%) |
| Muscle, joint, abdominal, and back pain | 37 (12.1%) | 107 (35.1%) | 97 (31.8%) | 64 (21.0%) |
| Acne | 63 (20.7%) | 142 (46.6%) | 75 (24.6%) | 25 (8.2%) |
| Symptoms interfering with relationships | 126 (41.3%) | 86 (28.2%) | 75 (24.6%) | 18 (5.9%) |
| Symptoms interfering with work or school | 101 (33.1%) | 119 (39.0%) | 68 (22.3%) | 17 (5.6%) |
| Symptoms interfering with daily routine | 91 (29.8%) | 118 (38.7%) | 76 (24.9%) | 20 (6.6%) |
| Cumulative psychological symptoms | 23 (7.5%) | 168 (55.1%) | 111 (36.4%) | 3 (1.0%) |
| Cumulative physiological symptoms | 11 (3.6%) | 193 (63.3%) | 97 (31.8%) | 4 (1.3%) |
| Cumulative behavioral symptoms | 92 (30.2%) | 130 (42.6%) | 75 (24.6%) | 8 (2.6%) |
| Total PMS symptoms | 28 (9.2%) | 199 (65.2%) | 77 (25.2%) | 1 (0.3%) |
Note: The bold values indicate the percent of participants who have all of the PMS symptoms.