The clinical diagnosis and classification of premenstrual changes

Recent interest in premenstrual changes and increasing referrals for treatment when such is warranted, bring to focus the need for accurate definition of the problem and a reliable procedure for clinical and research assessments of premenstrual phenomena. A definition is suggested and the steps taken to establish the diagnosis of the various premenstrual subtypes are described. The suggested classification may contribute to differential treatment modalities for each subtype.