Premenstrual symptoms occur on a continuum from mild experiences to clinically significant, menstrual cycle-related mood disorders, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Stress has been implicated as a key pathophysiological factor, yet the temporal coupling and dynamics between psychobiological stress patterns and premenstrual symptom expression across the menstrual cycle remain poorly characterised. The Interactions between premenstrual Symptoms and Stress Across the menstrual Cycle (ISSAC) study investigates how daily and momentary stress relates to premenstrual symptoms across two consecutive cycles, integrating ecological momentary assessments (EMA) with salivary biomarkers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity (cortisol) and sympathetic nervous system function (alpha-amylase).

Growing evidence suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACE) increase the risk for reproductive mood disorders (RMD), i.e. premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum and perimenopausal depression, and might be associated with symptom severity in these disorders. However, evidence for the specific impact of ACE subtypes remains scarce. This review investigates whether certain ACE subtypes are more prevalent among women with RMDs, whether women exposed to ACE have a higher risk to develop such disorders and if the degree of exposure is associated with the symptom severity.

Decisions about healthcare funding and delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as the monitoring of health service performance and outcomes, are driven by readily available data, in particular from administrative health datasets. Most of these national health data collections are generated through the delivery of secondary health services. Further, apart from hospitalisation and mortality collections, these lack diagnostic coding, rendering the burden and cost of chronic health conditions predominantly managed in primary care largely invisible. Many of these types of health conditions disproportionately affect women, who, despite their longer life expectancy, spend 25% more time in poor health than men, according to international research on the women's health gap. This gap is driven by conditions occurring only in women (e.g., premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) or with higher burden in women (e.g., anxiety, depression, migraine). Addressing this gap could add US$1 trillion to the global economy. In Aotearoa New Zealand, major improvements in national health data collections are urgently needed to assess the cost of the women's health gap and the burden of chronic diseases that have high social and economic impact but are undetectable or difficult to survey in our existing administrative datasets. We illustrate these issues using the example of migraine disease, the most disabling neurological condition in Australasia that also affects at least twice as many women as men.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects many women of reproductive age, often disrupting daily activities. Mindfulness- and relaxation-based techniques, such as yoga and progressive muscle relaxation techniques, can alleviate both physical and psychosocial symptoms associated with PMS. This systematic review synthesized existing evidence on the effects of mindfulness and relaxation interventions on the physical and psychosocial functioning of women experiencing PMS. The searches were conducted across five databases (PubMed, CINAHL Complete, ProQuest, MasterFILE Complete, and JSTOR Life Sciences) and two publisher websites (Wiley and Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.). This review followed the PRISMA guidelines and evaluated the quality of individual studies. Included were reproductive-age women using mindfulness or relaxation techniques for premenstrual symptoms in peer-reviewed intervention studies published between December 2015 and December 2025. This review included 22 studies involving 1,598 participants, comprising 13 RCTs, 7 non-RCTs, and 2 studies without a control group. The interventions included yoga (4), guided imagery (2), mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (2), progressive muscle relaxation (6), and other programs (5). One study each used an occupational therapy intervention, meditation, and counseling. The interventions typically lasted 20-60 minutes (18/22), and 19 studies evaluated PMS symptom severity. Mindfulness-and relaxation-based interventions decreased physical symptoms such as pain and fatigue, and psychosocial symptoms such as anxiety, depression, stress, and sexual function, resulting in an improved quality of life. Mindfulness- and relaxation-based interventions are associated with meaningful improvements in psychosocial, physical, and functional outcomes for PMS, although the evidence remains limited. These approaches may be considered as components of comprehensive, occupation-based care to support participation and overall well-being.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual irregularities are common concerns among women in their menstruating years and may negatively affect physical health, emotional well-being, daily functioning, and overall quality of life. This prospective, virtual, single-arm clinical trial evaluated the use of Two Moons Seed Cycling Capsules, ZEST and ZEN, on changes in the severity and frequency of PMS-related symptoms across two menstrual cycles. ZEST, comprising organic flaxseed and organic pumpkin seed, was taken during days 1-14 of the cycle, while ZEN, comprising organic sesame seed, organic sunflower seed, and other organic ingredients not traditionally used in seed cycling, psyllium, and chasteberry (also known as Vitex agnus-castus), was taken during days 15-28 of the cycle. A total of 40 women aged 21-46 years completed a baseline survey and began product use at the start of their next menstrual period. Follow-up questionnaires were completed at the end of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2. By the end of Cycle 2, participants demonstrated significant improvement in Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) scores, Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores for menstrual cramping, and a 73.86% decrease in the number of sick days attributed to menstrual-related issues. All nine evaluated PMS-related symptom parameters showed significant improvement by the end of Cycle 2. These included reductions in the frequency of digestive upset, breast tenderness, and PMS symptoms that interfered with productivity. Participant perception data further indicated strong satisfaction with the product experience. By the end of Cycle 2, 10 of 15 product-related statements received strong (≥70%) or majority agreement (50-69%) from the participants, including perceived improvements in premenstrual and menstrual pain (n = 28, 71.79%), cramping (n = 26, 66.67%), bloating (n = 26, 66.67%), mood (n = 24, 61.54%), sleep (n = 24, 61.54%), and skin clarity (n = 24, 61.54%). Overall, the findings suggest that intake of the test product was associated with cumulative reductions in the severity and frequency of PMS-related symptoms over two menstrual cycles. These results support the potential role of seed cycling capsules as a wellness intervention for managing premenstrual and menstrual symptoms. However, because this study used an open-label, single-arm design without a control group, further large-scale, randomized, controlled studies are recommended to validate these findings and better assess the efficacy of the test product.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a cyclically recurring psychobiological condition affecting up to 47.8% of women of reproductive age, with considerable impact on daily functioning, quality of life and a documented economic burden linked to work absenteeism. Despite its prevalence, PMS remains substantially undertreated, and pharmacological approaches are often associated with undesirable side effects.

BackgroundWomen with ADHD and autism experience elevated rates of premenstrual problems, yet no direct comparisons between these conditions exist in adults.ObjectivesThis study examined premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) prevalence, symptoms, and impairment across ADHD, autism, and neurotypical women.DesignCross-sectional data from 199 women aged 20-40 without hormonal contraceptive use were analyzed across two samples.MethodsParticipants included 89 with ADHD, 39 with autism, and 71 controls. Premenstrual symptoms were assessed using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), alongside measures of ADHD characteristics, autism traits, and sensory hypersensitivity.ResultsBoth ADHD and autistic women showed significantly elevated provisional PMDD rates according to the PSST screening instrument compared to controls, with no significant difference between neurodivergent groups. Dimensional analyses revealed positive associations between premenstrual symptoms and neurodiverse traits, particularly inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and social skills difficulties. The impact of premenstrual problems was similarly associated with these traits across diagnostic groups. Contrary to hypotheses, sensory hypersensitivity was not independently associated with premenstrual symptoms after controlling for ADHD and autism characteristics.ConclusionsPremenstrual problems constitute a significant burden for both ADHD and autistic women, with dimensional associations suggesting that individuals with more severe neurodivergent traits face heightened risk. Yet our findings also demonstrate that prevalence estimates are only as reliable as the recruitment strategies behind them. Advancing this field requires both greater clinical attention to menstrual cycle-related difficulties in neurodivergent populations and recruitment strategies that yield dependable estimates.