--- title: Does PMS affect how stiff arteries become and blood pressure? description: Yes, women with PMS showed increased artery stiffness during the later cycle phases and menstruation. Women who reported PMS symptoms before menopause had hig url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/can-premenstrual-syndrome-affect-arterial-stiffness-or-blood-pressure-2012/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does PMS affect how stiff arteries become and blood pressure? Cohort study, 2012 # Does PMS affect how stiff arteries become and blood pressure? Yes, women with PMS showed increased artery stiffness during the later cycle phases and menstruation. Women who reported PMS symptoms before menopause had higher rates of high blood pressure and stiffer arteries after menopause. The study does not prove PMS causes these changes. Moderate study design 21 pre-menopausal women with PMS, 15 without PMS, plus 156 postmenopausal women ## What they did A cohort study with two parts. First, 21 women with PMS and 15 without were measured during different menstrual cycle phases for artery stiffness, blood pressure, and other markers. Second, 156 postmenopausal women were asked about past PMS and checked for high blood pressure and artery stiffness. ## What they found In women with PMS, artery stiffness increased during the late cycle and menstruation (late follicular 6.48 m/s, luteal 7.1 m/s, menstruation 7.12 m/s; p = 0.003). Blood pressure peaked during menstruation. Postmenopausal women with 7 or more reported PMS symptoms had higher rates of high blood pressure (40.9% versus 20.9%; p = 0.041) and stiffer arteries (9.37 versus 8.64 m/s; p = 0.046). ## What it means for you PMS may be linked to temporary stiff arteries and blood pressure changes during the cycle. Women with PMS symptoms may have higher risk of high blood pressure and stiffer arteries later in life. The study showed correlation only, not that PMS causes these changes. Postmenopausal findings rely on women remembering past symptoms. 7.1 m/s Artery stiffness in luteal phase (women with PMS) 40.9% High blood pressure in postmenopausal women with 7+ PMS symptoms 20.9% High blood pressure in postmenopausal women without PMS ## About the study Original title Can premenstrual syndrome affect arterial stiffness or blood pressure? Authors Stamatelopoulos KS, Georgiopoulos G, Papaioannou T et al. Journal Atherosclerosis Year 2012 Study design Cohort study Participants 156 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.05.037](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.05.037) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/) 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 Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Guideline, 2024 How should Xiangshao Granules be prescribed for premenstrual tension syndrome? Systematic review, 2023 Does saffron help with PMS, labor pain, and menopause symptoms? Cohort study, 2023 Do women with premenstrual disorders go through menopause earlier and have worse hot flashes? Review, 2018 Which women are most likely to experience hot flashes during menopause? Review, 2017 Can combining different types of treatments help PMS more than using one approach alone? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗