--- title: What personality traits are linked to PMS? | Niyora description: Women with PMS tend to worry more about controlling their emotions. They often think of themselves as two different people, their real self and their PMS self url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/self-silencing-perfectionism-dualistic-discourse-loss-of-control-and-the-2014/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What personality traits are linked to PMS? Study, 2014 # What personality traits are linked to PMS? Women with PMS tend to worry more about controlling their emotions. They often think of themselves as two different people, their real self and their PMS self. Those who suppress their true feelings or are perfectionists are especially likely to have this worry about control. Moderate study design 182 North American women, ages 18-46 (90 with PMS, 78 without PMS) ## What they did Recruited 182 North American women ages 18-46 online. Asked them to complete questionnaires about self-silencing (not speaking up about their true thoughts), perfectionism, concern about emotional control, and whether they use dualistic thinking (imagining their PMS as a separate identity). Compared responses between 90 women with PMS and 78 without. ## What they found Women with PMS scored higher on concern about emotional control and used more dualistic thinking (imagining themselves as their PMS self versus their real self). Women who scored high on self-silencing and perfectionism were more likely to have concern about emotional control. ## What it means for you Some women with PMS may experience their symptoms as part of a separate identity rather than as part of themselves, especially if they tend to suppress their feelings or have perfectionist traits. The study was online and may not include all types of women, so we cannot be sure these findings apply to everyone. 182 North American women studied 90 Women reporting PMS 78 Women without PMS ## About the study Original title Self-Silencing, Perfectionism, Dualistic Discourse, Loss of Control, and the Experience of Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Joan C. Chrisler, Jennifer A. Gorman, Laura Streckfuss Journal Women s Reproductive Health Year 2014 Study design Study Participants 90 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2014.966597](https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2014.966597) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[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 Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Study, 2026 What coping strategies help women manage PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 Is a negative attitude toward menstruation linked to worse PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 How much do women in Shimla know about PMS and how does it affect their lives? Randomised trial, 2024 Can group counseling focused on positive psychology reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2024 Does education about PMS help couples' satisfaction and adjustment? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗