Premenstrual Symptoms Across a Woman’s Lifespan: A Narrative Review

Background Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are common conditions that significantly impact a woman’s life. Understanding how premenstrual symptoms change across a woman’s lifespan is crucial for providing appropriate support and management. Women with premenstrual disorders have sensitivity to mood changes with fluctuations in hormones, and they are at higher risk for depression during periods of hormonal flux, such as postpartum. Consequently, their premenstrual symptoms may be affected by changes in hormonal patterns across life, such as during reproductive transitions. This narrative review aims to summarize the existing literature on how premenstrual symptoms and disorders change with age and across reproductive stages. Methods A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was conducted to identify relevant articles, and findings from studies were synthesized. Results Individual premenstrual symptoms are affected by the aging process differently. Women with premenstrual symptoms are particularly vulnerable during the menopausal transition. Conclusions The authors discuss the methodological factors contributing to inconsistencies between studies and the research study design needed to further understand the course of premenstrual symptoms with time and reproductive stage. Understanding premenstrual symptom course is essential for clinical management and for lessening the burden of illness for women with premenstrual disorders.