Etymology

premenstrual syndrome

Today it means: The physical and psychological malaise experienced by many women between ovulation and the onset of menstruation; premenstrual tension. Full definition →

First used 1953
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The story

Coined by Katharina Dalton in 1953 to replace the earlier premenstrual tension, which she considered accidentally created the impression of focusing solely on PMS's mental aspects.

First known use, by meaning

  • 1953 The physical and psychological malaise experienced by many women between ovulation and the onset of menstruation; premenstrual tension.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.