The prevalence of individual premenstrual symptoms was studied in a randomly selected group of 217 women taking oral contraceptives (OCs). The results were compared with corresponding data from 595 women not using the pill. The analyses included 6 different mental and somatic symptoms defined and graded in severity and related to age. It was found that OCs had a beneficial effect on the premenstrual tension symptoms in all age groups except the youngest (18 years). In this group, the tendency was exactly the opposite. Within the total sample of women, OC users were absent significantly less often from work. The present results are in agreement with those of most of the earlier studies provided that age is taken into account. (author's)