--- title: Is stress about puberty and menstruation linked to depression and anxiety in adolescent girls? description: Yes. Stress related to menstruation and puberty was linked to depression, anxiety, and reproductive tract infections in adolescent girls in Tanzania. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/puberty-and-menstruation-related-stressors-are-associated-with-depression-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is stress about puberty and menstruation linked to depression and anxiety in adolescent girls? Survey study, 2022 # Is stress about puberty and menstruation linked to depression and anxiety in adolescent girls? Yes. Stress related to menstruation and puberty was linked to depression, anxiety, and reproductive tract infections in adolescent girls in Tanzania. Early or limited evidence 581 adolescent girls and young women aged 13–21 in secondary school in Moshi, Tanzania ## What they did Surveyed 581 adolescent girls and young women aged 13 to 21 attending secondary school in Tanzania in 2018. Measured stress about puberty and menstruation, depression, anxiety, and reproductive tract infection symptoms using a questionnaire. ## What they found Stress about puberty and menstrual symptoms were linked to depression and anxiety. Girls who had difficulties with movement and activity during menstruation were more likely to have anxiety. Girls with more stress about menstruation and more depression symptoms were more likely to report reproductive tract infection symptoms. ## What it means for you For adolescent girls in Tanzania, stress about menstruation and puberty is connected to mental health problems. The study only covered one region of Tanzania, so these findings may not apply everywhere. It is not clear whether stress causes these problems or if they share a common cause. 581 Girls studied 13–21 Age range Tanzania One region only ## About the study Original title Puberty- and Menstruation-Related Stressors Are Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Reproductive Tract Infection Symptoms Among Adolescent Girls in Tanzania Authors Cherenack EM, Sikkema KJ Journal International journal of behavioral medicine Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 581 What was tested None—observational study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s12529-021-10005-1](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-021-10005-1) ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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 Survey study, 2026 Why is understanding PMS awareness in teenage girls important? Survey study, 2025 Are mental health problems linked to period pain and lack of support? Survey study, 2024 How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect gut health and mood? Survey study, 2023 How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms? Survey study, 2020 Can teaching about yoga techniques improve girls' knowledge about managing PMS? Cohort study, 2019 Is there a link between menstrual symptoms and anxiety, depression, and stress in teenage girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗