---
title: Does PMS increase the risk of depression after childbirth in women with a history of depression?
description: Yes. Women with PMS had a 45.5% rate of postpartum depression compared to 22.5% without PMS, making it 2.87 times more likely.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-between-premenstrual-syndrome-and-postnatal-depression-in-women-with-2026/
---

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- Does PMS increase the risk of depression after childbirth in women with a history of depression?

Case-control study, 2026

# Does PMS increase the risk of depression after childbirth in women with a history of depression?

Yes. Women with PMS had a 45.5% rate of postpartum depression compared to 22.5% without PMS, making it 2.87 times more likely.

 Moderate study design

2309 Korean women with recurrent major depression who had given birth

## What they did

Studied 2309 Korean women with recurrent major depression who had given birth. Researchers compared rates of postpartum depression in those with and without PMS.

## What they found

Women with PMS had significantly higher postpartum depression rates (45.5%) than those without PMS (22.5%). Having PMS increased the risk 2.87 times. Women with postpartum depression also started depression earlier in life and had experienced more trauma. Other risk factors included younger age, earlier first periods, childhood sexual abuse, and family history of depression.

## What it means for you

For women with a history of depression, having PMS is a strong sign they may develop postpartum depression. This suggests doctors should screen women with PMS carefully before and after pregnancy. The study only included Korean women with recurrent depression, so results may not apply to other groups.

2309

women studied

45.5% vs 22.5%

postpartum depression with and without PMS

2.87

increased risk with PMS

## About the study

Original title Association between premenstrual syndrome and postnatal depression in women with recurrent major depressive disorder Authors Yang JH, Ahn YM, Min S et al. Journal Psychiatry research Year 2026 Study design Case-control study Participants 2,309 What was tested None (observational study of PMS history) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117112](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117112)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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