---
title: Does childhood abuse increase the risk of PMS in adulthood? | Niyora
description: Yes, women with childhood emotional abuse had 2.6 times higher PMS risk, and those with physical abuse had 2.1 times higher risk. This 14-year prospective stu
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/early-life-emotional-physical-and-sexual-abuse-and-the-development-of-2014/
---

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- Does childhood abuse increase the risk of PMS in adulthood?

Cohort study, 2014

# Does childhood abuse increase the risk of PMS in adulthood?

Yes, women with childhood emotional abuse had 2.6 times higher PMS risk, and those with physical abuse had 2.1 times higher risk. This 14-year prospective study provides strong evidence.

 Strong study design

Women aged 27-44 at baseline, free from PMS initially, from Nurses' Health Study 2

## What they did

Prospective cohort study (Nurses' Health Study 2) of 1,018 women who developed PMS and 2,277 comparison women who remained free of PMS over 14 years. At baseline, all women were aged 27-44 and free of PMS. In 2001, participants reported their history of early life emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

## What they found

Compared to women reporting no emotional abuse, those reporting the highest level of emotional abuse had 2.6 times the risk of PMS (95% CI 1.7-3.9, pTrend<0.0001). Women reporting severe childhood physical abuse had an odds ratio of 2.1 (95% CI 1.5-2.9, pTrend<0.001) compared to those with no physical abuse. Sexual abuse showed less strong associations. Findings remained similar after adjusting for obesity, smoking and other factors.

## What it means for you

Childhood trauma, particularly emotional and physical abuse, is associated with increased risk of PMS in middle reproductive years. The persistence of these findings after controlling for confounding factors suggests that trauma may directly affect PMS risk rather than just being associated with other risk factors like smoking or obesity.

2.6

times higher risk for highest emotional abuse (95% CI 1.7-3.9)

2.1

odds ratio for severe physical abuse (95% CI 1.5-2.9)

14

years of follow-up

## About the study

Original title Early life emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and the development of premenstrual syndrome: a longitudinal study Authors Bertone-Johnson ER, Whitcomb BW, Missmer SA et al. Journal Journal of women's health (2002) Year 2014 Study design Cohort study Participants 2,277 What was tested None; observational study of childhood abuse and PMS risk Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2013.4674](https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2013.4674)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[PTSD and trauma](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ptsd-trauma/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Legal and forensic](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-legal-crime/)

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