---
title: Do women with more premenstrual symptoms have unhelpful thinking patterns?
description: Women reporting more premenstrual symptoms had higher scores on the 'need for comfort' thinking pattern, indicating they struggled more with stress. We don't
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-the-role-of-irrational-thinking-1992/
---

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- Do women with more premenstrual symptoms have unhelpful thinking patterns?

Survey study, 1992

# Do women with more premenstrual symptoms have unhelpful thinking patterns?

Women reporting more premenstrual symptoms had higher scores on the 'need for comfort' thinking pattern, indicating they struggled more with stress. We don't know if unhelpful thinking causes symptoms or symptoms cause unhelpful thinking.

 Early or limited evidence

104 women aged 18 to 45 years

## What they did

104 women aged 18 to 45 years completed questionnaires measuring premenstrual symptoms and irrational thinking patterns.

## What they found

Women with greater premenstrual symptomatology reported significantly higher 'need for comfort' irrationality subscale scores. This indicated they had particular difficulty dealing with hassles and resulting tension and irritability in the premenstruum. Other irrationality subscales showed no significant effects.

## What it means for you

Women with more premenstrual symptoms may struggle more with stress-related thinking, but cause and effect are unclear. Small cross-sectional study with 104 women, and timing of testing during the cycle may affect results.

104

women surveyed

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual symptoms: the role of irrational thinking Authors Lindner H, Kirkby RJ Journal Psychological reports Year 1992 Study design Survey study Participants 104 What was tested Questionnaire about thinking patterns and symptoms Read the paper [doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1992.71.1.247](https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1992.71.1.247)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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