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Relationships and partners: what the research says

712 studies on relationships and partners in PMS and PMDD, each explained in plain English. 20 of them use the strongest designs: randomised trials and systematic reviews.

Survey study 485Cohort study 65Study 35Case-control study 28Interview study 25Randomised trial 21
Cohort study, 2026

Does sleeping longer improve mood and fitness in elite athletes?

Yes. Sleeping longer was linked to better mood and fitness across all athletes, regardless of menstrual cycle status. Sleeping less than 8 hours was linked to below-average mood and fitness.

Systematic review, 2026

What is it like for women to live with PMS or PMDD?

Women report lack of understanding from others and healthcare providers, confusion about their identity, impact on relationships, and difficulty getting diagnosed. Better training for healthcare professionals is needed.

Randomised trial, 2025

Does mood, well-being, and sexual function change across the menstrual cycle?

No, there were no meaningful changes in sexual function, mood, or well-being across menstrual cycle phases in healthy young women. Being in a stable relationship predicted better sexual function overall, but cycle phase did not.

Systematic review, 2025

Is there a link between stress, trauma, and premenstrual symptoms?

Yes. This meta-analysis of 66 studies with 38,344 people found a moderate positive link between stress and premenstrual symptoms. People with PMDD or PMS have significantly higher stress than others, and those with trauma history are more than twice as likely to have PMS.

Cohort study, 2025

Is there a link between premenstrual disorders and autoimmune disease?

Yes. Women with autoimmune disease have 12% higher risk of premenstrual disorders, and women with premenstrual disorders have 23% higher risk of autoimmune disease.

Cohort study, 2024

Do women with severe premenstrual disorders have higher risk of relationship breakup?

Yes. Married or cohabiting women with severe premenstrual disorders have about 21% higher risk of relationship breakup. This effect is stronger for premenstrual dysphoric disorder than for premenstrual syndrome and stronger in women without depression or anxiety.

Cohort study, 2024

Is there a link between sleep and menstrual problems in teenage girls?

Yes. Girls who sleep less and have more sleep problems report worse menstrual pain, irregular periods, and more premenstrual symptoms.

Randomised trial, 2023

Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Relationship functioning improved more with sertraline at symptom onset, mainly because it reduced anger and irritability. However, work productivity and social activities did not improve clearly.

Systematic review, 2023

Does body composition affect premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Yes. Higher body weight and more central fat around the belly and hips are linked to more PMS symptoms, more severe symptoms, and higher risk of depression and anxiety in women with PMS.

Survey study, 2022

Does physical activity or obesity affect the risk of developing PMS?

Physical activity lowers PMS risk, while obesity raises it slightly. These findings come from combining results from 13 studies across multiple continents.

Systematic review, 2022

What makes some PMS studies more reliable than others?

Most PMS studies have quality problems, but studies with fewer authors and lower-profile journals tend to be better designed. We still need more rigorous research on PMS treatments.

Cohort study, 2021

Are low antioxidant vitamins or high oxidative stress linked to premenstrual syndrome?

This study found that oxidative stress markers were linked to more depression and food cravings symptoms and more severe PMS, but antioxidant vitamin levels were mostly not associated with PMS symptoms.

Systematic review, 2021

Are women with PMS or PMDD more likely to think about or attempt suicide?

Yes. Pooling results from multiple studies, women with PMDD had a much higher chance of suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts than women without these premenstrual problems.

Systematic review, 2018

Does traditional medicine help treat premenstrual syndrome?

The study reviewed herbal and complementary therapies for PMS in published databases, but the abstract does not report what the review found.

Randomised trial, 2012

Does Vitex agnus castus work for PMS, and what dose is best?

Yes, Vitex at 20 mg daily significantly reduced PMS symptoms compared to placebo. A 30 mg dose did not work better, making 20 mg the optimal dose.

Randomised trial, 2011

Does taking essential fatty acids help treat PMS?

Yes, taking 2 grams of essential fatty acids significantly reduced PMS symptoms by the 6th month, with greater improvement than the 1-gram dose. Placebo also improved symptoms but less dramatically by month 6.

Randomised trial, 2011

Does a 24/4 birth control pill help women with PMDD improve work, relationship, and social functioning?

Yes. The pill significantly improved problems at work, in relationships, and in social activities compared to placebo, with the greatest improvements appearing in the first cycle.

Survey study, 2011

Is premenstrual syndrome related to major depression?

Yes. Women with moderate to severe PMS are significantly more likely to have depression (11.3% to 24.6% depending on PMS severity). Women with both conditions are more severely impaired than those with either alone.

Review, 2002

What treatments work best for PMDD?

Exercise, diet changes, minerals, and medicines that stop ovulation all help, with SSRIs appearing most effective. Start with non-medication approaches first.

Cohort study, 1999

What causes negative mood during menopause?

The menopause transition itself and hormone levels do not directly cause negative mood. Instead, past premenstrual problems, negative attitudes to aging, life stress, health problems, smoking, low exercise, and relationship issues are the main causes.

Survey study, 2026

What factors predict emotional eating in women with and without PMS?

Emotional overeating is the strongest predictor of emotional appetite. Body weight, PMS appetite changes, and eating behaviors together explain 51.3% of emotional eating, suggesting it involves biological, psychological, and behavioral factors.

Survey study, 2026

Does stress affect premenstrual symptoms in female athletes, and can coping strategies help?

A review of research found that higher stress worsens PMS symptoms in female athletes, while healthy coping strategies like emotional regulation and social support can reduce symptoms. This comes from multiple studies rather than one new study.

Survey study, 2026

Does childhood trauma cause worse PMS, and can social support help?

In a study of 629 women in Iran, childhood trauma was associated with more severe PMS, while strong perceived social support was associated with less severe PMS. Social support appeared to reduce the negative effect of trauma on PMS.

Cohort study, 2026

Is wanting to get pregnant linked to worse PMDD symptoms?

No. Among full-time working women, wanting to get pregnant was not linked to having PMDD, though it was weakly linked to slightly higher symptom scores.

Survey study, 2026

How does sleep change across the menstrual cycle in women with psychiatric conditions and suicidal thinking?

Sleep varies across the menstrual cycle in women with psychiatric conditions. These patterns align with changes in mood and suicidal thinking, with some women having worse sleep around their period or in the luteal phase. This suggests sleep monitoring may help identify higher-risk periods.

Systematic review, 2026

What types of talking therapy have been studied for PMS and PMDD?

Several cognitive behavioral therapies have been studied for PMS and PMDD, including CBT, mindfulness therapy, and acceptance therapy. The evidence is scattered and hasn't been systematically compared yet, so we don't know which approach works best.

Survey study, 2026

What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women?

Stress and sleep problems were independently associated with PMS. Diet and weight were not independently associated with PMS after accounting for other factors. This is a cross-sectional study, so these are associations, not proof of cause and effect.

Survey study, 2026

What factors affect PMS in university students and does it impact schoolwork?

About 15% of students had significant PMS. More than half said it affected their schoolwork. Strong family support reduced PMS, and students with PMS were less likely to have very dysfunctional families.

Survey study, 2026

What helps teenagers cope better with PMS?

Social support and regular menstrual cycles are the strongest factors that help teenagers manage PMS. Teenagers who feel supported by others tend to use healthier coping strategies.

Survey study, 2026

Does fear of childbirth explain why women with PMS are more likely to develop postpartum depression?

Yes, partially. Fear of childbirth accounts for 31.03% of the effect of PMS on postpartum depression in first-time mothers, and 43.62% in experienced mothers. This suggests PMS creates ongoing emotional vulnerability through pregnancy and after birth.

Study, 2026

What coping strategies help women manage PMS symptoms?

Many strategies help manage PMS: psychological and behavioral changes, lifestyle modifications, and complementary methods like yoga and meditation. Programs combining counseling, education, and lifestyle changes work best and have few side effects.

Survey study, 2026

Is academic stress linked to PMS severity in university students?

Yes, clearly. Higher stress levels were linked to worse PMS symptoms.

Survey study, 2026

How does the way women cope with PMS symptoms affect their relationships?

Women with probable PMDD had lower relationship satisfaction than women with milder forms. Coping strategies involving self-care, communication, and avoiding harm were linked to better relationship satisfaction and more social support.

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Between 5% and 8% of women have moderate-to-severe symptoms that cause significant problems with work, relationships, and daily life. These are called PMS or PMDD. PMDD is the most severe form.

Systematic review, 2026

What life experiences and personal factors influence how severe PMS is?

Adverse childhood experiences, stress, personality traits, and coping styles can worsen PMS. Physical exercise, social support, and resilience protect against severe symptoms. Research on these connections is very limited.

Survey study, 2026

Is self-compassion linked to PMS symptoms?

Yes, strongly. Women with higher self-compassion had fewer PMS symptoms. Self-compassion and marital status together explained about half of the differences in PMS severity.

Survey study, 2026

What life and job situations increase the risk of PMDD and moderate-to-severe PMS in working women?

Younger age, non-permanent jobs, working 60 or more hours weekly, small company employment, having children, and lower education all increase risk. Manufacturing jobs reduce risk.

Survey study, 2026

Does what you eat affect PMS symptoms?

Yes. Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and dairy is linked to fewer PMS symptoms. Eating coffee, fried foods, sweets, fast food, and refined grains is linked to worse symptoms.

Survey study, 2026

How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle?

Appetite increases significantly before and during the period. Pain can disrupt sleep, especially during menstruation. Single women report much worse sleep and pain during their period than married women do.

Systematic review, 2026

What psychosocial and behavioral factors are linked to worse PMDD symptoms?

This systematic review of 12 studies with 2,486 participants found that family history of PMS, dysmenorrhea, and earlier menarche consistently linked to worse PMDD. Associations with depression, stress, and exercise showed mixed results.

Survey study, 2026

Is emotional dysregulation linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Yes, emotional dysregulation is significantly linked to premenstrual symptoms. Women with poor emotional regulation are more likely to experience severe premenstrual symptoms.

Case-control study, 2025

Are there brain differences in women with PMS?

Yes. Women with PMS show different connectivity patterns between the thalamus and other brain regions involved in emotion and stress.

Survey study, 2025

Do women with PMS have higher anxiety, stress, and different personality traits?

Yes. Women with PMS had significantly higher anxiety sensitivity and stress levels, higher neuroticism and psychoticism traits, and slightly lower extraversion than women without PMS.

Survey study, 2025

Does menstruation affect how well women perform at work?

Yes. On days when women were menstruating, they reported lower ability to control their emotions and regulate themselves, which led to worse task performance, less helping of colleagues, and more withdrawing from work. Pain made this effect stronger.

Survey study, 2025

Does thinking repeatedly about distressing thoughts make PMS worse, and can being mentally flexible help?

Women who thought repeatedly about worrying thoughts had more severe PMS symptoms. Being mentally flexible did not reduce this effect, meaning the link between overthinking and PMS remained strong and direct.

Survey study, 2025

How do personality traits like neuroticism affect PMS severity and sexual satisfaction?

Yes, personality traits significantly predict both PMS severity and sexual satisfaction. Women with higher neuroticism had more severe PMS with anxiety, depression, and fatigue, while those with higher extraversion had milder PMS and better sexual satisfaction.

Systematic review, 2025

Do drugs that stop ovulation help women with PMS?

The abstract is incomplete and does not provide the main results, so no clear answer can be determined from the information given.

Survey study, 2025

Do certain nutrients and body weight affect PMS?

Yes. Higher energy intake and fat intake were significantly related to PMS, as was abnormal body weight (both underweight and overweight). Other nutrients tested were not significantly related.

Cohort study, 2025

Do pain sensitivity and negative thinking explain how trauma and stress cause PMS or PMDD?

Yes. Both heightened pain sensitivity and negative thinking patterns mediate the connection between past trauma or stress and premenstrual disorder symptoms.

Survey study, 2025

What psychological and personal factors predict which university students will develop premenstrual syndrome?

High anger, low social support, childhood trauma, high stress, negative attitudes toward menstruation, and poor satisfaction with gender roles all predict PMS. However, results are limited to university students in one country.

Study, 2025

How do relationship difficulties and emotional control affect the link between PMS and poor sleep?

Both relationship difficulties and how people manage emotions affect the link between PMS and sleep problems. When women suppress emotions more, PMS affects sleep differently.

Survey study, 2025

Is PMS worse in girls living through violence and insecurity?

Yes. Adolescent girls exposed to political violence, living with insecurity, and experiencing depression-like symptoms were more likely to have severe PMS. Girls exposed to multiple types of violence had especially high rates of severe PMS.

Survey study, 2025

Are premenstrual symptoms linked to depression in teenage girls?

Yes. Girls with premenstrual symptoms were about 1.7 times more likely to have depressive symptoms than girls without PMS.

Survey study, 2025

Is PMS connected to mental health problems and lifestyle choices?

Yes, 64% of nursing students had PMS and it was strongly linked to depression, anxiety and stress. PMS was also more common in students who smoked, drank alcohol, drank coffee or reported psychological problems.

Survey study, 2025

How does sexual desire change during the menstrual cycle?

Sexual desire typically increases around ovulation when estrogen is highest, but stress, sleep, relationship quality, and PMS or PMDD can weaken this biological pattern.

Survey study, 2025

Does PMDD affect women's quality of life and job performance?

Yes. Women with PMDD had significantly lower quality of life and job performance. Quality of life was positively linked with job performance.

Survey study, 2025

Does stress management affect perimenstrual symptoms in working women?

Yes. Women with better stress management skills had less severe symptoms around their period. Those who used avoidance to cope had worse symptoms.

Survey study, 2025

Does how women cope with stress affect their PMDD symptoms?

Yes. Women with stress had worse PMDD symptoms, especially if they avoided dealing with the problem. Using better coping strategies helped reduce symptom severity under stress.

Survey study, 2025

Do menstrual problems lower well-being through anxiety?

Premenstrual symptoms and menstrual pain lower well-being both directly and through worry about the future. Other menstrual problems like irregular bleeding only affect well-being through causing worry.

Survey study, 2025

Does physical activity help reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes, there was a clear link between more exercise and less severe PMS symptoms. The improvement came both from exercise itself and partly from exercise reducing anxiety.