Cohort study, 2024
Does the tendency to ruminate make PMS mood swings worse?
No. This larger study found that trait rumination did not predict whether women experienced more mood changes across their cycle, contradicting some earlier smaller studies. Rumination may not be a useful treatment target for PMS mood disorders.
What they did
Prospective cohort study of 190 naturally cycling people, average age 30.82 years. All screened for moderate stress. They completed a questionnaire measuring rumination at baseline, then reported daily mood and symptoms across 1 to 6 cycles. Researchers used statistical models to test if rumination predicted baseline mood and cyclical mood changes.
What they found
The degree of mood cyclicity (how much mood changed across the cycle) varied widely across the group in a normal distribution. Higher brooding (a type of rumination) did not predict baseline mood levels or cyclical mood changes in any symptom. Even in the subgroup that had increases in negative mood during the luteal phase (premenstrual time), brooding predicted higher baseline negative mood but did not predict how much mood changed with the cycle.
What it means for you
This study contradicts earlier smaller studies suggesting rumination makes PMS worse. Rumination may not be a key target for treating PMS mood disorders, though rumination could still be part of treatment. The study looked at trait rumination, so temporary rumination during the cycle should still be explored. More research on other cognitive factors might help develop better treatments.
190
individuals studied
30.82
mean age in years
1-6
number of menstrual cycles tracked per person
About the study
- Original title
- Is trait rumination associated with affective reactivity to the menstrual cycle? A prospective analysis
- Authors
- Tauseef HA, Schmalenberger KM, Barone JC et al.
- Journal
- Psychological medicine
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 190
- What was tested
- None (observational study)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1017/s0033291723003793
Topics
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