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How Common is Premenstrual Syndrome?

By Tracee Cornforth, About.com

Created: May 31, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: How Common is Premenstrual Syndrome?
Answer: According to several surveys as many as 85 percent of women who have periods may be affected by at least one of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or PMS. However, only five to ten percent of women suffer from the severe symptoms that meet the criteria established for a diagnosis of PMS.

Reference: ACOG Practice Bulletin Number 15, 2000

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