Final answer:
The critical symptom criteria for PMS diagnosis is that symptoms must resolve with the onset of menstruation and not reappear until the premenstrual phase of the next cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Critical Criteria for Diagnosing PMS
The critical criteria for symptoms in the diagnosis of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is that symptoms must cease in the early stage of menses and return before the next month's menses recurs. This means that the symptoms only occur during the premenstrual phase and are absent for a week post-menses. This pattern helps to distinguish PMS from other conditions that might cause similar symptoms but do not follow this same timing with respect to the menstrual cycle.
To clarify, during the premenstrual phase, women may experience a variety of symptoms including mood swings, abdominal cramping, and other discomforts. This is the body's response to hormonal changes that occur in preparation for the potential of pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, these hormones, particularly progesterone, decline, leading to the shedding of the endometrium and the onset of menstruation. The critical diagnostic pattern for PMS is that these symptoms resolve with menstruation and do not persist throughout the cycle.