Survey study, 1990
Do women who had pre-eclampsia in pregnancy experience more premenstrual symptoms?
Mostly no. Women who had severe pre-eclampsia actually had fewer premenstrual symptoms than average. Only women with current high blood pressure reported more premenstrual sadness.
What they did
Researchers followed up with 237 women who had pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure in pregnancy between 1969 and 1973, asking them about premenstrual symptoms. They compared these women to 33 women who had normal blood pressure during pregnancy. The follow-up was done 7 to 12 years later.
What they found
Women with high blood pressure at the time of follow-up reported significantly more premenstrual sadness than women with normal blood pressure. However, women who had pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure years earlier did not report more premenstrual symptoms than women in general. Women with a history of severe pre-eclampsia actually reported fewer symptoms.
What it means for you
Past pre-eclampsia does not seem to increase premenstrual symptoms later. Only current high blood pressure was linked to more premenstrual sadness. The study had a very small comparison group, so these findings should be interpreted carefully.
237
women with previous pre-eclampsia
33
comparison women
7-12
years of follow-up
About the study
- Original title
- Pre-eclampsia, hypertension and the premenstrual tension syndrome
- Authors
- Andersch B, Svensson A, Hansson L
- Journal
- International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 33
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(90)90476-2
Topics
Related studies
Review, 2003
How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?
Randomised trial, 2017
Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?
Cohort study, 2015
What factors predict anxiety and depression during pregnancy and after birth?
Review, 2010
Can neurosteroids help with anxiety and brain disorders?
Case-control study, 2010
Do lesbian and bisexual women have different reproductive health than heterosexual women?
Review, 2003
Do GABA receptors and progesterone affect PMDD?