Who is generally at the highest risk of developing premenstrual syndrome?

Young women, particularly those who have recently begun menstruating, are generally at the highest risk of developing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This condition often begins after a girl has had her first period and tends to manifest more significantly in the first few years of menstruation. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly the changes in estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle, can contribute to the symptoms of PMS, which include mood swings, irritability, and physical discomfort.

As women age and move through different life stages, such as pregnancy or menopause, the prevalence and severity of PMS can change. For example, many women experience a reduction in PMS symptoms as they gain more experience with their menstrual cycles or after they have had children. Additionally, during menopause, although some women do still experience symptoms, hormonal levels stabilize and the overall incidence of PMS decreases.

In contrast, older women and those in menopause tend to have different concerns related to hormonal changes, such as perimenopausal symptoms rather than PMS. Pregnant women typically do not experience PMS as the hormonal environment is significantly altered due to pregnancy, which is associated with more stable hormonal levels than are experienced during the typical menstrual cycle. Thus, it is young women following the first year of menses who are identified