Study, 1992
What is the psychological profile of women who experience premenstrual dysphoria?
Women with premenstrual dysphoria tend to have higher anxiety and mood problems before their period, and many have a history of mood disorders or feel they have little control over their lives.
What they did
60 women from the community were followed over one menstrual cycle. 24 had confirmed premenstrual dysphoria, 15 reported dysphoria but it was not confirmed, and 21 were control women. All women kept daily records of symptoms and filled out questionnaires about anxiety, sense of control, marital satisfaction, and previous mood disorders.
What they found
Before their period, women with confirmed dysphoria and those with reported dysphoria both reported more mood changes and higher anxiety levels than controls. After their period, both groups differed from controls mainly based on whether they had a history of mood disorders and their sense of control over life. The confirmed and reported dysphoria groups were mostly similar to each other on questionnaire scores.
What it means for you
Women with premenstrual dysphoria tend to have anxiety and mood changes before their period, plus a history of mood disorders or a sense of having little control. The main limit is the small sample size of 60 women.
24
women with confirmed dysphoria
15
women with reported but unconfirmed dysphoria
21
control women
About the study
- Original title
- A psychosocial profile of women with premenstrual dysphoria
- Authors
- Christensen AP, Board BJ, Oei TP
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 24
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(92)90083-i
Topics
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