--- title: What psychological patterns do women with PMS show? | Niyora description: Women seeking treatment for PMS show various psychological patterns. About 36% have normal psychological profiles, while 25% have depression year-round, and 4 url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/psychological-assessment-of-women-seeking-treatment-for-premenstrual-syndrome-1985/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What psychological patterns do women with PMS show? Study, 1985 # What psychological patterns do women with PMS show? Women seeking treatment for PMS show various psychological patterns. About 36% have normal psychological profiles, while 25% have depression year-round, and 42% report marriage distress. Early or limited evidence 100 women seeking evaluation for PMS ## What they did 100 women seeking evaluation for PMS were given psychological tests (personality inventory, depression screening, and marriage adjustment tests) during the follicular phase. Depression screening was repeated during the luteal phase. ## What they found Personality profiles were classified as: normal (36%), neurotic patterns (31%), characterological patterns (11%), psychotic patterns (5%), or unclassified (17%). A common finding was low scores on a scale measuring masculinity-femininity. About 25% showed clinically significant depression present year-round, not just before their period. About 42% reported distress in their marriage at time of evaluation. ## What it means for you Women with PMS show different psychological patterns. Some have depression year-round while others have symptoms mainly before their period. Many experience marriage strain. The study only looked at women already seeking treatment, so results may not apply to women with PMS who don't seek help. 100 women seeking evaluation 25% with depression year-round 42% reporting marriage distress ## About the study Original title Psychological assessment of women seeking treatment for premenstrual syndrome Authors Stout AL, Steege JF Journal Journal of psychosomatic research Year 1985 Study design Study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(85)90071-6](https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(85)90071-6) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2023 Are PMS symptoms linked to genetic factors for psychiatric disorders? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2026 What is the true rate of PMDD, and does it worsen mental health conditions? Survey study, 2025 How do personality traits like neuroticism affect PMS severity and sexual satisfaction? Cohort study, 2023 Does the menstrual cycle affect how often women have suicidal thoughts? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗