If you’ve ever wondered whether your symptoms are linked to your cycle, memory alone isn’t enough to give a clear answer. That’s where the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP)  comes in.

The DRSP is a simple daily checklist where you rate common emotional, physical, and behavioural symptoms (like mood swings, anxiety, bloating, or sleep changes) and note how much they affect your work, relationships, or social life. You also record your menstrual flow so the pattern can be linked to your cycle.

• By tracking every day prospectively (ie as it happens to improve accuracy) for at least two cycles, we can see:
• When symptoms start and stop
• How severe they get
• Whether they disappear between periods (important for diagnosing PMDD)
• If you might have premenstrual exacerbation (when another condition, like anxiety or depression, gets worse before your period)
• Other cyclical patterns, such as migraines, cravings, or energy changes

The DRSP isn’t just for diagnosis — it’s also a powerful way to measure how well treatment or lifestyle changes are working. Seeing your symptoms mapped out on paper can be validating and empowering, helping you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions.

Originally developed and validated by Dr. Jean Endicott and colleagues in 2006, the DRSP is considered the gold standard for diagnosing premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and other hormone-related mood patterns.