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.
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
Topics
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