Impact of age on premenstrual syndrome prevalence and severity: A population-based survey in Brazil.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between premenstrual disorders (PMD) and age, we analyzed the prevalence and severity of psycho-emotional and physical symptoms in a representative sample of Brazilian women.

Methods: This observational and retrospective study analyzed data from Brazilian women aged 20-49 years from five regions of the country who reported premenstrual symptoms. Participants completed a premenstrual symptom screening questionnaire and self-reported the presence and severity of their symptoms. Among 23 104 women reporting does premenstrual symptoms, 38.91% (n = 8990) experienced PMD caused functional impairment. Finally, 5121 participants agreed to complete the adapted version of the screening questionnaire.

Results: The age group distribution was 20-29 (46.7%), 30-39 (38.3%), and 40-49 years (15%). The most prevalent and severe physical symptom was acne/oily skin in participants aged 20-29 years and headache in women aged 30-49 years. Regarding psycho-emotional symptoms, the most prevalent was anxiety/tension in women aged 20-29 years and 40-49 years and irritability/anger in those aged 30-39 years. Irritability/anger was the most severe symptom in all groups.

Conclusion: PMD significantly impacts the quality of life of Brazilian women with varying intensity. Physical symptoms associated with PMD vary with age, while psycho-emotional symptoms, particularly irritability/anger and anxiety, were intense in Brazilian women of reproductive age. These findings inform early diagnosis and individualized treatment approaches for PMD, addressing the needs of women.