---
title: Are physical menstrual cycle symptoms linked to premenstrual depression?
description: Six physical symptoms of the menstrual cycle together explained nearly 30% of the difference in depression levels. Physical symptoms and mood appear to be con
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/physical-characteristics-of-the-menstrual-cycle-and-premenstrual-depressive-2009/
---

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- Are physical menstrual cycle symptoms linked to premenstrual depression?

Survey study, 2009

# Are physical menstrual cycle symptoms linked to premenstrual depression?

Six physical symptoms of the menstrual cycle together explained nearly 30% of the difference in depression levels. Physical symptoms and mood appear to be connected, though other factors also matter.

 Early or limited evidence

183 female university students

## What they did

183 female university students reported on six physical symptoms (headaches, skin changes, stomach problems, breast changes, and two patterns of menstrual bleeding) and their premenstrual depressive symptoms.

## What they found

The six physical symptoms explained nearly 30% of the variance in premenstrual depressive symptoms. A strong linear relationship was found between total physical symptoms and depression levels, plus a moderate curvilinear effect.

## What it means for you

Women's experience of physical menstrual symptoms is connected to their mood changes before their period. Physical and emotional symptoms shouldn't be seen separately. But because the study was cross-sectional, it cannot show whether physical symptoms cause depression or depression causes women to notice physical symptoms more.

183

Women university students

6

Physical symptoms examined

30%

Variance in depression explained

## About the study

Original title Physical characteristics of the menstrual cycle and premenstrual depressive symptoms Authors Kiesner J Journal Psychological science Year 2009 Study design Survey study Participants 183 What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02358.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02358.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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