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.
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
Topics
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