---
title: Are PMS and depression the same condition? | Niyora
description: No, they are separate conditions. Women fell into different groups with PMS only, depression only, both, or neither, showing they are independent.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/patterns-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-depression-symptoms-in-chinese-female-2021/
---

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- Are PMS and depression the same condition?

Survey study, 2021

# Are PMS and depression the same condition?

No, they are separate conditions. Women fell into different groups with PMS only, depression only, both, or neither, showing they are independent.

 Early or limited evidence

701 Chinese female university students

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 701 Chinese university students. Researchers measured self-reported PMS and depression symptoms using two questionnaires.

## What they found

Four distinct groups emerged: 57.2% with low symptoms, 11.3% predominantly PMS, 23.7% predominantly depression, and 7.8% combined PMS-depression. Age, first menstrual experience, and personality factors predicted group membership.

## What it means for you

PMS is independent from depression, not a variant. The study only looked at one point in time at one university, cannot track changes over time, and relies on self-reported symptoms which can be biased.

57.2%

had low symptoms

11.3%

had predominantly PMS

7.8%

had combined PMS-depression

## About the study

Original title Patterns of premenstrual syndrome and depression symptoms in Chinese female university students: Results of a latent profile analysis Authors Hou L, Zhou R Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 2021 Study design Survey study Participants 701 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.06.017](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.06.017)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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