---
title: Do depression increases in early adolescence predict menstrual cycle mood problems later?
description: Girls whose depression increased in early adolescence showed menstrual cycle mood changes in adulthood, suggesting hormonal factors link early teen depression
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/developmental-associations-between-adolescent-change-in-depressive-symptoms-and-2012/
---

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- Do depression increases in early adolescence predict menstrual cycle mood problems later?

Cohort study, 2012

# Do depression increases in early adolescence predict menstrual cycle mood problems later?

Girls whose depression increased in early adolescence showed menstrual cycle mood changes in adulthood, suggesting hormonal factors link early teen depression to later cycle symptoms. The study was small.

 Early or limited evidence

47 women followed from ages 12 to 21, mostly European Canadian

## What they did

A follow-up study of 47 women measured depression from ages 12 to 21. Researchers tracked menstrual-cycle-related mood symptoms in early adulthood and tested whether early-adolescent depression changes predicted these mood patterns.

## What they found

Early-adolescent increases in depressive symptoms were associated with menstrual cycle mood changes in early adulthood. Late-adolescent depression changes only predicted depression at ages 20-21. Most participants (91%) were European Canadian.

## What it means for you

The results suggest a hormonal link between teenage depression and later menstrual cycle mood problems. However, this was a very small study (47 women) in one country with limited ethnic diversity, so results may not apply broadly.

47

Women followed

12-21 years

Age range

91%

European Canadian

## About the study

Original title Developmental associations between adolescent change in depressive symptoms and menstrual-cycle-phase-specific negative affect during early adulthood Authors Kiesner J, Poulin F Journal Journal of youth and adolescence Year 2012 Study design Cohort study Participants 47 What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s10964-011-9722-y](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-011-9722-y)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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