Women of reproductive age sometimes report premenstrual symptoms of irritability, tension, dysphoria (a feeling of low mood, irritability,anxiety and/or despair) and lability of mood which seriously interfere with their lifestyle and relationships. Premenstrual symptoms in this small group of women are so disruptive that a series of research diagnostic criteria for what is now labeled premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) have been developed and published (DSM-IV). Approximately two thirds of women who meet the diagnostic criteria for PMDD do not usually respond to conservative and conventional interventions and they often seek out the expertise of a health professional.

Some studies say that this occurs for 3-8 % of all women in reproductive ages, other studies report that it occurs for 75 % of them.