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Study, 2011

Do women with PMDD have more hostility and aggression than women without it?

Women with PMDD had significantly higher levels of hostility, impulsive behavior, and behavior inhibition than women without PMDD during both phases. Higher hostility and impulsive behavior were linked to more severe irritability and daily difficulty.

Moderate study design 60 women with PMDD and 60 women without PMDD

What they did

Sixty women with PMDD and 60 women without PMDD were assessed. Women completed questionnaires about hostility, impulsive behavior, and behavior control during both the luteal phase and follicular phase. PMDD was screened using a standard tool and confirmed by psychiatric interview.

What they found

Women with PMDD had significantly higher levels of hostility, dysfunctional impulsive behavior, and behavior inhibition compared to women without PMDD in both phases. Women with PMDD showed more worsening of hostility during the luteal phase. Higher hostility, impulsive behavior, and behavior inhibition were associated with more severe irritability and functional impairment.

What it means for you

Hostility and impulsive behavior appear to be characteristic of PMDD and contribute to how much irritability and difficulty with daily life women experience. These traits affect women in both phases but worsen during the luteal phase. The main limitation is that PMDD diagnosis used a single interview rather than two months of tracking, which is the standard way to confirm PMDD.

60

women with PMDD

60

women without PMDD

About the study

Original title
Hostility, Impulsivity, and Behavior Inhibition Among Women with PMDD
Authors
Yen JY, Chen CC, Chang SJ et al.
Journal
CNS spectrums
Year
2011
Study design
Study
Participants
60
What was tested
None

Topics