Survey study, 1991
What mental health and social problems do women with PMS have?
Most women seeking PMS treatment (67 percent) had a psychiatric disorder, with depression and anxiety being most common. Sexual dysfunction and social problems were also frequent.
What they did
43 women in a PMS clinic were interviewed about psychiatric disorders and completed questionnaires about mood, anxiety, social adjustment, and sexual function (35 completed all the questionnaires).
What they found
67 percent had a lifetime psychiatric disorder. 50 percent had major depression. 53 percent had an anxiety disorder. 40 percent had sexual dysfunction. Two-thirds of women with premenstrual symptoms met criteria for true PMS. Their psychiatric and social problems were significantly worse than the general population.
What it means for you
Many women seeking PMS treatment have other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. These problems are persistent and not just tied to the menstrual cycle phase. Main limit: small clinic sample, so results may not represent all women with PMS.
67%
Lifetime psychiatric disorder prevalence
50%
Major depression rate
53%
Anxiety disorder rate
About the study
- Original title
- Sexual dysfunction, social maladjustment, and psychiatric disorders in women seeking treatment in a premenstrual syndrome clinic
- Authors
- Chandraiah S, Levenson JL, Collins JB
- Journal
- International journal of psychiatry in medicine
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 43
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2190/a4jm-pgr9-35ph-4wcw
Topics
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