Case-control study, 1995
What medical history factors are more common in women with PMS?
Women with PMS were significantly more likely to have had postpartum depression, used birth control pills, consumed alcohol, and used drugs compared to women without PMS. The study cannot prove these factors cause PMS.
What they did
Case-control study comparing medical histories of 190 women with PMS to 182 women without PMS seeking gynecological care. Women with psychiatric history were excluded. Participants were selected by interview and questionnaires.
What they found
Women with PMS had higher rates of postpartum depression (43% vs 12%), past birth control pill use (91.6% vs 45.9%), alcohol use (39.5% vs 14.8%), and drug use (48.4% vs 14.1%). All differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.05).
What it means for you
These factors are associated with PMS, but the study does not prove they cause it. Because it is observational, we cannot know if these factors contribute to PMS or if having PMS leads people to use these substances differently. The findings may not apply to women with psychiatric conditions, as the study excluded them.
43% vs 12%
Postpartum depression rate
91.6% vs 45.9%
Past birth control pill use
48.4% vs 14.1%
Drug use
About the study
- Original title
- Medical history in women with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Chuong CJ, Burgos DM
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 190
- What was tested
- None (observational study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01674829509025653
Topics
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