Cohort study, 2013
Do depression, irritability, and anxiety get worse before the period in women with PMDD?
Yes. Women with PMDD showed worsening depression, irritability, and anxiety in the days before their period, while women without PMDD did not.
What they did
67 women with PMDD and 75 women without PMDD were followed for 3 menstrual cycles. Both groups completed mood and irritability questionnaires during the premenstrual phase and the early cycle phase.
What they found
Women with PMDD showed premenstrual worsening of depression, irritability, and anxiety. Depression was the most prominent symptom for the diagnosis. Irritability was most strongly linked to problems with daily functioning.
What it means for you
Depression and irritability are important symptoms of PMDD that deserve treatment. The study tracked symptoms over 3 cycles, making it fairly reliable. It was relatively small and based on women who volunteered, so results may not apply to all women with PMDD.
67
women with PMDD
75
control women
3
menstrual cycles tracked
About the study
- Original title
- Depression, irritability, and anxiety in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Ko CH, Long CY, Chen SY et al.
- Journal
- International journal of psychiatry in medicine
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 67
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2190/pm.46.1.d
Topics
Related studies
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Randomised trial, 2017
Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?
Case-control study, 2012
Do women with PMDD have working memory problems linked to concentration and irritability?
Survey study, 2026
How common is premenstrual tension and does it affect university students' studies?
Survey study, 2024
Is mental health different in premenstrual exacerbation versus core premenstrual disorder?
Review, 2009
How common are PMS and PMDD, and how much do they disrupt women's lives?