Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual disorder/premenstrual tension (PMT) is distinct entity from dysmenorrhoea which may can be defined as
"distressing physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms not caused by organic disease which regularly recur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and significantly regress or disappear during the remainder of the cycle" (1).
When compared to normal physiological premenstrual symptoms, PMS symptoms cause greater impairment of normal daily activities (2).
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is an additional term classified by the American Psychiatric Association in 1994 that requires fulfilment of strict criteria (2).
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