Welcome to the PMS Hub

Premenstrual symptoms are common, but their severity varies widely. Here we look at how the menstrual cycle works and the differences between PMS, PMT and PMDD.

Quick read

Approximately 20% of women of reproductive age experience significant premenstrual symptoms. Women often lack essential nutrients like magnesium, Vitamin B6, and folate, which are needed for managing PMS symptoms and overall health. Stress significantly contributes to the severity of PMS symptoms, necessitating effective management strategies.2 PMS symptoms can lead to decreased productivity, social withdrawal, and emotional distress, highlighting the need for comprehensive support strategies.

The evidence behind DRV+

Women's Health

The real burden of PMS

Our survey of 265 women shows how heavy, multi-symptom and under-supported PMS really is.

265 respondents March 2023 Cross-sectional customer survey
95% have regular PMS symptoms
71% experience mood swings
77% feel unsupported at work/school
Study Findings

We surveyed 265 women on PMS symptom burden, its impact on daily life and work, and how well current coping strategies actually perform.

What we found:

95.4% reported regular PMS symptoms, a mean of 8.3 each, led by mood swings (70.5%) - also the most disruptive (39.6%). PMS affected relationships for 67.6% and caused 40.7% to take time off, yet 76.9% felt unsupported by employers or schools. No coping strategy averaged above 7/10.

What This Means

Mood leads the burden

Mood swings: most prevalent (70.5%) and most disruptive (39.6%).

Psychological symptoms dominate the experience of PMS.

It reaches work and relationships

40.7% took time off; 67.6% saw relationships affected.

Yet 76.9% felt institutionally unsupported.

Current remedies fall short

No coping strategy averaged above 7/10.

A clear gap for effective, evidence-based support.

Read the abstract
Women's Health

Broad-spectrum PMS relief, led by mood

PMS Hero® is a nutritional supplement targeting the physical and psychological symptoms of PMS. This evaluation reports user-reported outcomes against a high-burden symptom backdrop (mean 8.3 symptoms per woman).

33 PMS Hero® users (from 265 surveyed) March 2023 Cross-sectional customer survey
91% effective
52% highly effective
73% mood-swing relief
Study Findings

Within a 265-woman survey, PMS Hero® users were assessed for effectiveness and symptom-level relief, mapped against symptom prevalence and disruptiveness.

The results?

90.9% of rated users found PMS Hero® effective (51.5% extremely or very effective). Mood swings - the most prevalent (70.5%) and most disruptive (39.6%) PMS symptom - were relieved in 72.7% of users. Relief spanned all five of the most-disruptive symptoms. PMS Hero® outperformed every self-management strategy assessed.

What This Means

Targets the lead symptom

72.7% mood-swing relief.

Directly addressing PMS's most prevalent and most disruptive symptom.

Across the disruptive cluster

Relief reported across mood, low mood, sleep, bloating and headaches.

Coverage of all five top-rated disruptors.

Outperforms standard strategies

90.9% positive vs sub-7/10 means for all common remedies.

Including ibuprofen, general supplements, exercise and paracetamol.

Read the abstract

The difference between PMS and PMT

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

  • A group of physical and emotional symptoms occurring in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
  • Physical symptoms: bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, fatigue, and digestive issues. Emotional symptoms: mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression.
  • Symptoms can vary in severity from mild to severe and can significantly impact daily life.
  • Symptoms typically begin one to two weeks before menstruation and resolve with the onset of menstruation.
  • Diagnosed based on symptom history and the exclusion of other conditions often requires symptom tracking over cycles.
  • Can interfere significantly with daily activities, relationships and quality of life.

Premenstrual tension (PMT)

  • A more specific term often used interchangeably with PMS but can refer specifically to emotional and psychological symptoms.
  • Mostly emotional symptoms: irritability, anxiety, mood swings, depression, and tension.
  • Symptoms tend to be less severe than PMS but can still affect mood and wellbeing.
  • Symptoms usually appear in the luteal phase and may last until menstruation begins, but they are often shorter in duration than PMS symptoms.
  • Generally diagnosed when emotional symptoms are predominant and may not require as extensive tracking as PMS.
  • May cause some disruption in daily life but typically has less of an impact than PMS.

Understanding your period symptoms

Compare healthy vs unhealthy indicators

Signs of a healthy period

  • Consistent cycle length (typically between 21 - 35 days)
  • Bleeding lasts between 2 - 7 days
  • Moderate flow, neither too heavy nor too light
  • Minimal to no clotting
  • Little to no discomfort or pain

Signs of an unhealthy period

  • Excessive bleeding that soaks through pads or tampons quickly
  • Severe cramps or pelvic pain that interfere with daily activities
  • Irregular cycles or missed periods
  • Persistent spotting between periods
  • Abnormal changes in blood colour or consistency
  • Large, jelly-like blood clots

How nutrition impacts your cycle

Your diet can help ease symptoms of PMS such as headaches, bloating, cramps, low energy, irritability, mood swings, cravings and breast tenderness leading up to your period.

During PMS, as our hormones change, our blood sugar levels fall, which leads to cravings for high sugar foods which themselves can exacerbate symptoms of PMS, including constipation, bloating, poor sleep, fatigue and tummy aches. As a result, managing your blood sugar levels through your diet and making good food choices is even more important during PMS.

Foods to reach for

Foods to avoid

PMS Hero®

Complete support before, during and after your cycle.

PMS Hero® is an advanced PMS supplement, providing comprehensive support through your monthly cycle for hormonal balance, better mood, energy, healthy immunity, and combatting tiredness, fatigue, and bloating.

PMS Hero® 91% find it effective*
  • 9 out of 10 recommend PMS Hero®*
  • 2x more effective than other treatments tried*
  • Hormone regulation across your cycle
  • Reduced tiredness and fatigue
  • Mood and psychological function support
  • For tenderness and bloating

With 12 active ingredients and zero additives, including:

Learn more

Free PMS resources

Practitioner papers, supplement considerations and client handouts to read online or download as PDF.

View more
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PMS survey: Based on a UK survey conducted by DRV+ (Formerly DR.VEGAN®) of 32 customers, nationally representative, during November 2022. All research findings reflect our own research efforts and have not been influenced or verified by any external organisations or third-party entities.

References