Survey study, 1988
How do women with PMS differ from those without PMS on mental health?
Women with PMS had higher depression and stress than community women without it. Some women without a PMS diagnosis showed cyclical symptom patterns, suggesting they may develop PMS later.
What they did
Researchers compared 32 community women without PMS to 75 with diagnosed PMS. They gave tests measuring depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem. Menstrual symptoms were rated at follicular phase (days 6-8) and premenstrual phase (days 26-28) over two cycles. Urine hormone levels were measured. The women were divided into 13 with pronounced cyclical symptoms and 19 with minimal changes.
What they found
Women with PMS had higher depression, stress, and lower self-esteem than community women. The 13 community women with pronounced cyclical symptoms were identified as an "at-risk" group for developing PMS.
What it means for you
Women with PMS appear to have more depression and stress than those without it. Some women without a diagnosis may be at future risk. The main limit is the small sample and cross-sectional design, which shows correlation but not cause and effect.
32
community women without diagnosed PMS
75
women with diagnosed PMS
13
community women with pronounced cyclical symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual cycle symptoms: comparison of a non-clinical sample with a patient group
- Authors
- Morse CA, Dennerstein L, Varnavides K et al.
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 1988
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 75
- What was tested
- None; this was a comparison study.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(88)90070-5
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