Survey study, 1989
Are women with premenstrual symptoms more likely to have mental health problems?
Yes, clearly. About 85% of women experienced moderate to severe symptoms before their period, and women with these symptoms scored significantly higher on mental health screening than those without.
What they did
Researchers gave two questionnaires to 101 women at a family planning clinic and 92 women at a general practice in Italy. One asked about menstrual symptoms, the other about mental health and anxiety. They compared women with premenstrual complaints to those without.
What they found
About 85% of all women complained of moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms. Women with complaints had significantly higher mental health questionnaire scores. About half the women reported around 5 symptoms.
What it means for you
Women with premenstrual symptoms are more likely to show mental health concerns that may need attention. The study was one-time and only in Italy, so we can't say whether symptoms cause the mental health problems or if they share another cause.
85%
reported moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms
193
women studied
around 5
symptoms reported per woman
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual symptoms and psychiatric morbidity in two Italian health care settings
- Authors
- de Girolamo G, Marchitelli G, Corbani R et al.
- Journal
- Psychotherapy and psychosomatics
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 101
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1159/000288323