---
title: Does using illicit drugs increase the risk of PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes, women using multiple drugs or starting before age 15 had higher odds of PMS. However, this observational study cannot prove drugs cause PMS.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/illicit-drug-use-early-age-at-first-use-and-risk-of-premenstrual-syndrome-a-2015/
---

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- Does using illicit drugs increase the risk of PMS?

Cohort study, 2015

# Does using illicit drugs increase the risk of PMS?

Yes, women using multiple drugs or starting before age 15 had higher odds of PMS. However, this observational study cannot prove drugs cause PMS.

 Moderate study design

Women from 1973-1978 cohort followed from age 22-27 onwards

## What they did

Prospective cohort study following women from the 1973-1978 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health for 13 years from 2000 to 2012. Researchers used self-reported questionnaires to collect data on illicit drug use and PMS development.

## What they found

At the start of the follow-up period, over 40% of women had used illicit drugs in the last 12 months, 9% had first used drugs before age 15, and approximately 35% reported PMS. Women using multiple drugs had 1.31 times higher odds of PMS (95% CI 1.21-1.43), those using only marijuana had 1.23 times higher odds (95% CI 1.08-1.40), and those starting drugs before age 15 had 1.20 times higher odds (95% CI 1.03-1.40).

## What it means for you

There is an association between illicit drug use (especially multiple drugs and early use) and PMS, but this study cannot prove that drugs cause PMS. Other factors might explain the connection.

1.31

odds ratio for multiple drug use (95% CI 1.21-1.43)

1.23

odds ratio for exclusive marijuana use (95% CI 1.08-1.40)

1.20

odds ratio for first use before age 15 (95% CI 1.03-1.40)

## About the study

Original title Illicit drug use, early age at first use and risk of premenstrual syndrome: A longitudinal study Authors Ju H, Jones M, Mishra GD Journal Drug and alcohol dependence Year 2015 Study design Cohort study What was tested None; observational study of illicit drug use and PMS risk Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.037](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.037)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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