Randomised trial, 2022
Does having an irregular menstrual cycle before pregnancy increase depression during pregnancy?
Yes, women with irregular cycles before pregnancy were more likely to have depression during pregnancy. Cycle length itself did not predict depression, only how consistent the cycles were.
What they did
Cross-sectional study using data from pregnant women at 16-20 weeks gestation. Researchers examined pre-pregnancy menstrual data recorded in a period-tracking app (cycle regularity and length) and assessed depression during pregnancy using a standard depression scale.
What they found
Women with irregular menstrual cycles before pregnancy (varying by more than 6 days between cycles) had higher depression scores during pregnancy. Cycle length itself did not predict depression.
What it means for you
Irregular menstrual cycles might be linked to higher depression risk during pregnancy. However, this was a single measurement during pregnancy, and the study relied on app-recorded data which may not be perfectly accurate. It cannot prove that irregular cycles cause depression.
16–20
weeks gestation for depression assessment
>6
days variability threshold for irregular cycles
About the study
- Original title
- Preconception menstrual cycle disorder and antenatal depression: a cross-sectional study with prerecorded information
- Authors
- Sasaki N, Akiyama H, Kawakami N et al.
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 2022
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- None. Observational comparison of women with regular versus irregular pre-pregnancy menstrual cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/0167482x.2021.2010699
Topics
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