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Survey study, 2026

Is climate change worry linked to worse PMS and lower quality of life?

Yes. Women more worried about climate change have worse PMS symptoms and lower quality of life, both physically and mentally, though the study cannot prove anxiety causes PMS.

Early or limited evidence 614 women of reproductive age.

What they did

Surveyed 614 women of reproductive age using questionnaires about climate change worry, PMS severity, and quality of life (both physical and mental health components).

What they found

Higher climate change worry was linked to worse PMS. For each 1-point increase in climate worry score, PMS severity increased by 1.11 points. Climate worry also linked to lower physical and mental quality of life (0.08-point and 0.13-point drops respectively per 1-point increase in climate worry). Women's personal characteristics affected these relationships.

What it means for you

Climate anxiety may be associated with worse PMS and poorer wellbeing, but this is correlational and we cannot prove anxiety causes PMS. The study did not test whether reducing climate worry helps PMS. This is one survey, so results may vary by location and population.

614

women surveyed

1.11

increase in PMS score per 1-point increase in climate worry

0.13

decrease in mental quality of life per 1-point increase in climate worry

About the study

Original title
The relationship between climate change worry, premenstrual syndrome severity, and quality of life among women of reproductive age and related factors
Authors
Ekrem EC, Akar A, Akar A
Journal
Revista latino-americana de enfermagem
Year
2026
Study design
Survey study
Participants
614
What was tested
Climate change worry
Open access
Yes
Original abstract

this study aims to determine the relationship between climate change worry, premenstrual syndrome severity, and quality of life among women of reproductive age and related factors.this cross-sectional correlational study included women of reproductive age. The sample included 614 women. Data were collected using Descriptive Information Form, Climate Change Worry Scale, Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, SF-12 Quality of Life Scale.a positive correlation was found between the Climate Change Worry Scale and Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, whereas a negative correlation was discovered between the Climate Change Worry Scale and both the physical and mental sub-dimensions of SF-12 Quality of Life Scale (p<0.05). Climate Change Worry Scale, Premenstrual Syndrome Scale and SSF-12 Quality of Life Scale showed statistically significant effects on physical and mental dimension scores (p<0.05). Accordingly, a 1-unit increase in Climate Change Worry Scale score causes a 1.11-unit increase in Premenstrual Syndrome Scale score, a 0.08-unit decrease in physical component score of quality of life scale and a 0.13-unit decrease in mental component score.as climate change worry among women intensifies, the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms increases, while their quality of life diminishes. Climate change anxiety, premenstrual syndrom severity, and quality of life were influenced by women's identifying characteristics.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

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