---
title: Do women with premenstrual syndrome have different psychological patterns than other women?
description: A small study found that women with diagnosed premenstrual syndrome had anxiety and depression appearing only in the second half of their menstrual cycle, whi
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/psychological-aspects-of-premenstrual-symptoms-1983/
---

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- Do women with premenstrual syndrome have different psychological patterns than other women?

Study, 1983

# Do women with premenstrual syndrome have different psychological patterns than other women?

A small study found that women with diagnosed premenstrual syndrome had anxiety and depression appearing only in the second half of their menstrual cycle, while women without PMS did not. This suggests true PMS may differ from other menstrual symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

15 women with premenstrual syndrome and 5 without

## What they did

Researchers measured menstrual distress, anxiety, and depression in 15 women with premenstrual syndrome and 5 women without PMS. They tracked these measures across the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Women with PMS showed increased psychological symptoms specifically in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Women without PMS did not show this cycle-related pattern. Interestingly, women without PMS had higher overall anxiety levels than both the PMS group and control women.

## What it means for you

The pattern of psychological symptoms appearing only in the second half of the cycle may help identify true PMS. The main limitation is the very small sample size: only 15 women with PMS and 5 without.

15

women with premenstrual syndrome

5

women without premenstrual syndrome

second half

of cycle when PMS symptoms appeared

## About the study

Original title Psychological aspects of premenstrual symptoms Authors Ellen M. Goudsmit Journal Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology Year 1983 Study design Study Participants 15 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/01674828309081251](https://doi.org/10.3109/01674828309081251)

## 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/)

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