Cohort study, 2025

Does PMS affect mental health and sleep-wake cycles?

Yes. Women with PMS have significantly higher depression and anxiety than those without PMS. Sleep-wake timing irregularities may also play a role, though the relationship is unclear.

Early or limited evidence 98 female nursing students at a university, mean age 21.13 years

What they did

Cross-sectional study of 98 female nursing students with a mean age of 21.13 years. Participants completed the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale to measure PMS severity, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory to measure mood, and questionnaires about chronotype (whether they are morning or evening people) and social jetlag (mismatch between their body clock and daily schedule).

What they found

Students with PMS had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores than those without PMS. PMS presence increased depression scores (odds ratio 1.126) and anxiety scores (odds ratio 1.094). In the group with PMS, higher PMS severity was positively correlated with both social jetlag and anxiety, but there was no clear link between PMS and chronotype or social jetlag alone.

What it means for you

PMS and mental health problems are strongly linked. Sleep-wake timing issues may contribute to worse symptoms when PMS is more severe. This is a very small study of nursing students only, so results may not apply to other women. The study relied on self-reported data, which may introduce bias.

1.126

Depression odds ratio in PMS group

1.094

Anxiety odds ratio in PMS group

0.351

Correlation between PMS severity and social jetlag

About the study

Original title: The relationship between premenstrual syndrome and circadian rhythm, depressive mood, and anxiety
Authors: Yamak ÖA, Şentürk Ş, Kağıtçı M et al.
Journal: Scientific reports
Year: 2025
Study design: Cohort study
Participants: 98
What was tested: None
Open access: Yes
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-23040-9

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Low mood and depression Anxiety and tension Sleep and insomnia Relationships and partners Students and academic performance

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