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Study, 1988

Are there different types of premenstrual symptoms?

Yes. Research found three main patterns of premenstrual changes: hostile-depressive, atypical depressive, and anxious, as well as two less common patterns.

Moderate study design 737 military wives

What they did

737 military wives completed a questionnaire about their premenstrual symptoms. Researchers analyzed the responses to find patterns of symptoms that occurred together.

What they found

Three main patterns emerged from the analysis: hostile-depressive, atypical depressive, and anxious. Two minor patterns were also identified: organic and hypomanic. Each pattern had different demographic and psychological characteristics.

What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms come in distinct patterns that may help identify different types of PMS. The main limit is the study only included military wives, so results might not apply to all women.

737

military wives surveyed

3

main symptom patterns found

2

minor symptom patterns found

About the study

Original title
Psychosocial correlates of premenstrual dysphoric subtypes
Authors
Rosen LN, Moghadam LZ, Endicott J
Journal
Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
Year
1988
Study design
Study

Topics