Survey study, 1986
Is severe premenstrual syndrome similar to depression?
Women with severe PMS report more depressive-like symptoms than those with mild PMS. The study suggests these may reflect underlying depression, but as a survey without medical testing, we cannot be sure.
What they did
Surveyed 1,852 randomly selected fertile women about their PMS symptoms and compared responses from those who wanted medical help with those who did not.
What they found
The prevalence of PMS was 72.8%. Of women with PMS, 7.5% wanted to see a physician. Women seeking medical care reported significantly more symptoms seen in depressive states. Oral contraceptives did not seem to help this group.
What it means for you
Severe PMS with depressive symptoms might indicate underlying depression, but the study only used self-reported symptoms and had no medical testing to confirm this.
72.8%
Prevalence of PMS
7.5%
Percentage wanting physician care
1,852
Total women surveyed
About the study
- Original title
- The premenstrual syndrome--an equivalent of depression?
- Authors
- Hallman J
- Journal
- Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Year
- 1986
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 1,852
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1986.tb02703.x
Topics
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