--- title: Is premenstrual depression the same as depression from a mood disorder? description: For many women with PMS, the depression before their period is similar in type and severity to major depressive disorder, except it lasts shorter. Women with url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-relationship-between-perimenstrual-depressive-mood-and-depressive-illness-1991/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is premenstrual depression the same as depression from a mood disorder? Interview study, 1991 # Is premenstrual depression the same as depression from a mood disorder? For many women with PMS, the depression before their period is similar in type and severity to major depressive disorder, except it lasts shorter. Women with a history of depression after childbirth were more likely to have severe premenstrual depression. Early or limited evidence 144 women, mainly self-identified PMS sufferers ## What they did Interviewed 144 women, most of whom identified as having PMS, about the depression they experienced before their periods and their history of depression and depression treatment. ## What they found The depression before the period was similar in type and severity to major depressive disorder for many women, though it lasted shorter. Women with more severe premenstrual depression were more likely to have previously experienced depression after childbirth. Women whose premenstrual depression lasted longer were more likely to have previously taken antidepressants. ## What it means for you Premenstrual depression in PMS may be a real mood disorder linked to the menstrual cycle. It may connect to depression after childbirth in vulnerable women. Some experience cycle-linked depression while others have a general tendency toward depression that worsens before their period. This was a small interview study of women who identified as having PMS. 144 Women interviewed about premenstrual depression ## About the study Original title The relationship between perimenstrual depressive mood and depressive illness Authors Warner P, Bancroft J, Dixson A et al. Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 1991 Study design Interview study Participants 144 What was tested None - interview study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(91)90031-m](https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(91)90031-m) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) 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 Review, 2012 Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause? Survey study, 2002 What treatments work for depression linked to the menstrual cycle and PMDD? Non-randomised trial, 2024 Does luteal phase sertraline treatment affect stress hormones and inflammation in PMDD? Study, 2004 Did SSRIs change what people thought of as depression in women? Randomised trial, 2001 Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders? Randomised trial, 2000 Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗