Table 3 Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome symptoms by the level of severity (n = 289)
Symptom | None | Mild | Moderate | Severe | Totala |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | |
Psychological symptoms | |||||
 Depressed mood | 44 (15.2) | 99 (34.3) | 85 (29.4) | 61 (21.1) | 245 (84.7) |
 Hopelessness | 80 (27.7) | 92 (31.8) | 75 (26.0) | 42 (14.5) | 209 (72.3) |
 Guilt feeling | 125 (43.3) | 86 (29.8) | 47 (16.3) | 31 (10.7) | 164 (56.7) |
 Anxiety/ worry | 39 (13.5) | 101 (34.9) | 93 (32.2) | 56 (19.4) | 250 (86.5) |
 Affective labiality | 47 (16.3) | 77 (26.6) | 87 (30.1) | 78 (27.0) | 242 (83.7) |
 Increased sensitivity toward others | 62 (21.5) | 92 (31.8) | 70 (24.2) | 65 (22.5) | 227 (78.5) |
 Anger feelings | 34 (11.8) | 87 (30.1) | 92 (31.8) | 76 (26.3) | 255 (88.2) |
 Easily irritated/ agitated | 59 (20.4) | 74 (25.6) | 86 (29.8) | 70 (24.2) | 230 (79.6) |
 Lack of interest | 38 (13.1) | 89 (30.8) | 92 (31.8) | 70 (24.2) | 251 (86.9) |
 Difficulty concentrating | 60 (20.8) | 111 (38.4) | 66 (22.8) | 52 (18.0) | 229 (79.2) |
 Loss of control | 75 (26.0) | 86 (29.8) | 62 (21.5) | 66 (22.8) | 214 (74.0) |
 Feeling overwhelmed | 69 (23.9) | 84 (29.1) | 76 (26.3) | 60 (20.8) | 220 (76.1) |
Physical symptoms | |||||
 Lethargy/ fatigue/ decreased energy | 29 (10.0) | 101 (34.9) | 75 (26.0) | 84 (29.1) | 260 (90.0) |
 Increased appetite | 83 (28.7) | 105 (36.3) | 53 (18.3) | 48 (16.6) | 206 (71.3) |
 Craving certain foods | 81 (28.0) | 104 (36.0) | 51 (17.6) | 53 (18.3) | 208 (72.0) |
 Hypersomnia | 58 (20.1) | 104 (36.0) | 73 (25.3) | 54 (18.7) | 231 (79.9) |
 Insomnia | 71 (24.6) | 101 (34.9) | 69 (23.9) | 48 (16.6) | 218 (75.4) |
 Breast tenderness | 113 (39.1) | 84 (29.1) | 39 (13.5) | 53 (18.3) | 176 (60.9) |
 Breast engorgement or weight gain | 109 (37.7) | 83 (28.7) | 45 (15.6) | 52 (18.0) | 180 (62.3) |
 Headache | 61 (21.1) | 92 (31.8) | 71 (24.6) | 65 (22.5) | 228 (78.9) |
 Muscle, joint, abdominal, and back pain | 45 (15.6) | 82 (28.4) | 68 (23.5) | 94 (32.5) | 244 (84.4) |
 Acne | 69 (23.9) | 81 (28.0) | 71 (24.6) | 68 (23.5) | 220 (76.1) |
Behavioural symptoms | |||||
 Symptoms interfering with | |||||
  Relationships | 104 (36.0) | 82 (28.4) | 59 (20.4) | 44 (15.2) | 185 (64.0) |
  Work or school | 114 (39.4) | 84 (29.1) | 60 (20.8) | 31 (10.7) | 175 (60.6) |
 Overall psychological symptoms | 33 (11.4) | 107 (37.0) | 101 (34.9) | 48 (16.6) | 256 (88.6) |
 Overall physical symptoms | 28 (9.7) | 128 (44.3) | 88 (30.4) | 45 (15.6) | 261 (90.3) |
 Overall assessment of behavioural symptoms | 85 (29.4) | 89 (30.8) | 81 (28.0) | 34 (11.8) | 204 (70.6) |