What is recommended for PMDD symptom tracking?

• A. Prospective rating of symptoms for at least two months.
• B. Retrospective recall of symptoms over a year.
• C. A single day diary.
• D. No tracking is recommended.

Answer: (A)

Tracking symptoms prospectively with a daily rating for at least two menstrual cycles is essential because PMDD symptoms are cyclical and tied to the luteal phase. Prospective diaries capture the exact timing and severity as symptoms unfold, reducing memory bias and providing reliable data to confirm that mood and physical symptoms worsen before menstruation and improve after it ends. Retrospective recall over a year is unreliable for detecting this pattern, a single-day diary cannot show cycle-related changes, and not tracking at all misses the crucial timing needed for diagnosis and treatment planning.