Cohort study, 2004
Do women with PMS have worse menopausal symptoms?
Yes, women with PMS are significantly more likely to experience hot flushes, depression, poor sleep, and low libido during menopause. This large five-year study provides strong evidence for this connection.
What they did
A five-year follow-up study of 436 women transitioning to menopause. Researchers collected structured interviews, daily symptom ratings, depression and sleep measures at seven timepoints, and hormone measurements across the menstrual cycle.
What they found
Women who reported PMS at the start were more likely over the five years to experience hot flushes (odds ratio 2.09), depression (OR 2.34), poor sleep (OR 1.72), and decreased libido (OR 1.54) after adjusting for age, race, depression history, and estradiol levels.
What it means for you
Women who experience PMS appear to be at higher risk for certain menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and depression. This study's large sample size and five-year follow-up provide strong evidence, though biological mechanisms remain unclear.
436
Women followed
5 years
Study duration
2.09
Increased risk of hot flushes with PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome as a predictor of menopausal symptoms
- Authors
- Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Rinaudo PJ et al.
- Journal
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 436
- What was tested
- None; observational study.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/01.aog.0000124804.81095.7f
Topics
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