Common Misconceptions

We tackle some of the most common misconceptions about PMS and how to manage them.

Misconception 1: Everyone with a uterus experiences PMS symptoms.

Fact: Everyone doesn’t experience PMS symptoms. Reports suggest that roughly 3 in 4 women get PMS symptoms during their period.¹

Science: Everyone reacts differently to hormonal fluctuations during periods. Genetic factors, lifestyle, personal health history, stress levels, etc., play a major role in determining the severity of PMS symptoms among individuals.

Misconception 2: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) only affects girls who are 18 years and younger.

Fact: Women of any age who are menstruating can experience PMS. 75% of women in their reproductive period get affected due to PMS, however, only 20% to 40% of them face severe pre-menstrual symptoms. PMS symptoms are more frequent among women in their late 20s to early 40s.

Science: The transition of the body towards menopause during the 30s and 40s makes hormonal fluctuations bigger and more unpredictable.²

Misconception 3: Doing regular exercise doesn’t affect the emotional symptoms of PMS.

Fact: While exercising during periods might be challenging for some women, regular exercise helps in improving PMS symptoms such as depressive mood and fatigue.

Science: Endorphins are feel-good chemicals that result in positive emotions. Endorphins tend to decrease during PMS. Exercising during PMS helps in the increased production of endorphins and thus the overall emotions during PMS get better.³

Misconception 4: Women with regular cycles don’t experience PMS.

Fact: Occurrence of PMS does not depend on the regularity of the cycle. Women with both regular and irregular cycles can experience PMS symptoms.

Science: The reason for the occurrence of PMS is uncertain. Main etiological factors responsible for the occurrence of PMS symptoms are considered to be changes in hormonal levels. PMS may be related to social, cultural, biological, and psychological factors.⁴

Misconception 5: PMS stops after having children.

Fact: Women experience changes in PMS symptoms, and periods after pregnancy but PMS symptoms don't ultimately stop after pregnancy.

Science: The symptoms of PMS occur due to hormonal fluctuations. Hormonal changes are significant after pregnancy. Overlapping symptoms between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and postpartum depression (PPD) suggest that these disorders may share a common etiology and pathology. Moreover, PMS is a risk factor for the development of PPD.⁵

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Medically reviewed by

Dr. Yash Bahuguna

Researched by

Dr. Inara Isani

Written by

Avantika Sukhia

References

1. Hofmeister S, Bodden S. Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. American family physician. 2016 Aug 1;94(3):236-40.

2. Dennerstein L, Lehert P, Heinemann K. Global epidemiological study of variation of premenstrual symptoms with age and sociodemographic factors. Menopause International. 2011 Sep;17(3):96-101.

3. Saglam HY, Orsal O. Effect of exercise on premenstrual symptoms: A systematic review. Complementary therapies in medicine. 2020 Jan 1;48:102272.

4. Gudipally PR, Sharma GK. Premenstrual syndrome.

5. Buttner MM, Mott SL, Pearlstein T, Stuart S, Zlotnick C, O’Hara MW. Examination of premenstrual symptoms as a risk factor for depression in postpartum women. Archives of women's mental health. 2013 Jun;16(3):219-25.