Study, 1993

Are the symptoms of PMS different from heavy periods and severe period pain?

No. Women with PMS, heavy periods, and severe period pain have many overlapping symptoms. Depression is the main symptom that makes women seek help for PMS, and it is linked to cycle timing, personality, and bleeding severity.

Moderate study design 101 women with heavy periods, 104 with PMS, 56 with severe period pain, and 105 healthy controls

What they did

Compared four groups: 101 women with heavy periods, 104 with PMS, 56 with severe period pain, and 105 healthy controls. Measured symptoms that occur around menstruation, amount of bleeding, severity of pain, and personality factors.

What they found

The three patient groups showed considerable symptom overlap. Depressive symptoms were the most important reason women sought help for PMS and were linked to cycle timing, menstrual bleeding, and personality. Food cravings were notably different in the PMS group compared to others and may be linked to serotonin changes in the brain.

What it means for you

PMS, heavy periods, and severe period pain share many symptoms, so women may have more than one condition. Depression is what typically drives women to seek treatment for PMS. This suggests different causes and treatments may be needed for different conditions. Because this was observational, we cannot determine whether these factors cause the symptoms.

104

women with PMS

101

women with heavy periods

women with severe period pain

About the study

Original title: Perimenstrual complaints in women complaining of PMS, menorrhagia, and dysmenorrhea: toward a dismantling of the premenstrual syndrome
Authors: Bancroft J, Williamson L, Warner P et al.
Journal: Psychosomatic medicine
Year: 1993
Study design: Study
Participants: 105
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199303000-00001

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Menstrual cycle and mood Dysmenorrhea and period pain Low mood and depression Appetite and food cravings Pain and headache

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