Survey study, 2003
Is how much control women feel over their life linked to premenstrual symptoms?
Yes. Women who felt they had less control over their circumstances were more likely to have premenstrual symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Women felt especially out of control during the premenstrual phase compared to other times in their cycle.
What they did
69 women with normal menstrual cycles filled out four questionnaires: one about premenstrual symptoms, one about how much control they felt over their lives, and one each about anxiety and depression. The researchers looked for patterns and connections between these measures.
What they found
Premenstrual symptoms were significantly linked with feeling less in control, anxiety, and depression. Women who felt less in control were more likely to have depression and anxiety when experiencing premenstrual symptoms. Women were significantly more likely to feel they lacked control during the premenstrual phase compared to the follicular phase or early luteal phase.
What it means for you
Feeling out of control may make premenstrual symptoms feel worse or increase mood problems during that time. However, the study cannot show whether the lack-of-control feeling causes the symptoms, the symptoms cause the feeling, or if both are caused by something else. The study only included women with normal menstrual cycles, not women with PMS.
69
women with normal menstrual cycles
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual symptomatology, locus of control, anxiety and depression in women with normal menstrual cycles
- Authors
- Lane T, Francis A
- Journal
- Archives of women's mental health
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None - questionnaires only
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00737-003-0165-7
Topics
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