---
title: Is there a link between premenstrual syndrome and depression after childbirth?
description: Most studies found a link between PMS and postpartum depression, though some found this link disappeared when other factors like personality were considered.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/associations-between-premenstrual-syndrome-and-postpartum-depression-a-2019/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Is there a link between premenstrual syndrome and depression after childbirth?

Systematic review, 2019

# Is there a link between premenstrual syndrome and depression after childbirth?

Most studies found a link between PMS and postpartum depression, though some found this link disappeared when other factors like personality were considered. The connection appears real but may depend on circumstances.

 Strong study design

Studies of women with premenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression

## What they did

Systematic review of 16 studies from major medical databases examining whether PMS is associated with postpartum depression.

## What they found

Of 16 studies, 11 found a positive association between PMS and postpartum depression even after accounting for personality and socio-demographic factors (p < .05). Three studies found an association that disappeared when other factors were added. Two found no association.

## What it means for you

There appears to be a connection between PMS and postpartum depression, but whether this holds depends on what other factors are considered, suggesting they may share similar causes. The findings varied across studies.

16

studies reviewed

11

studies found positive association

3

studies where link disappeared with other factors

## About the study

Original title Associations between premenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression: A systematic literature review Authors Amiel Castro RT, Pataky EA, Ehlert U Journal Biological psychology Year 2019 Study design Systematic review What was tested None, literature review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.10.014](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.10.014)

## Topics

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

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Cohort study, 2026

Does having PMS before pregnancy increase the risk of postpartum depression?

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Cohort study, 2026

Do premenstrual disorder and postpartum depression share the same genetic causes?

Cohort study, 2025

Is there a link between premenstrual disorders and autoimmune disease?

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with a history of PMS or PMDD have more depression during pregnancy and after birth?

Case-control study, 2024

Do steroid hormone levels change differently across the menstrual cycle in women with PMDD?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗