---
title: Which lifestyle factors and contraceptive methods are linked to premenstrual symptoms?
description: About 1 in 4 women had premenstrual symptoms. Women with higher education and less stress had fewer symptoms. Hormonal birth control was linked with fewer sym
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/lifestyle-factors-hormonal-contraception-and-premenstrual-symptoms-the-united-2010/
---

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- Which lifestyle factors and contraceptive methods are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Cohort study, 2010

# Which lifestyle factors and contraceptive methods are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

About 1 in 4 women had premenstrual symptoms. Women with higher education and less stress had fewer symptoms. Hormonal birth control was linked with fewer symptoms.

 Moderate study design

974 women aged 20-34 from the general population in Southampton, UK.

## What they did

Researchers surveyed 974 women aged 20-34 in Southampton, UK. Women completed interviews, questionnaires, and kept a daily diary for 6 weeks recording 11 common premenstrual symptoms. Two doctors reviewed the diaries to identify true premenstrual symptoms.

## What they found

24% of women had premenstrual symptoms. Women with higher education and lower stress were less likely to have symptoms. Diet, alcohol, exercise, age, smoking, and BMI were not linked to symptoms. Women using hormonal contraceptives had lower rates of symptoms.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms are common. Stress and education level appear to matter, and hormonal birth control may help reduce symptoms. The study is limited because it included only women from one UK city with a 53% response rate and was a snapshot in time rather than tracking people over years.

974

women surveyed

24%

with premenstrual symptoms

0.66

symptom rate ratio for hormonal contraceptive users versus non-users

## About the study

Original title Lifestyle factors, hormonal contraception, and premenstrual symptoms: the United Kingdom Southampton Women's Survey Authors Sadler C, Smith H, Hammond J et al. Journal Journal of women's health (2002) Year 2010 Study design Cohort study Participants 974 What was tested None. Observational survey of lifestyle factors and contraceptive use. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2008.1210](https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2008.1210)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)

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