--- title: Are certain personality or mood traits more common in women with PMDD? description: Yes. A cyclothymic temperament (characterized by mood swings) is much more common in women with PMDD, while a stable temperament is protective. Anger and sens url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/affective-temperaments-and-emotional-traits-are-associated-with-a-positive-2016/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are certain personality or mood traits more common in women with PMDD? Survey study, 2016 # Are certain personality or mood traits more common in women with PMDD? Yes. A cyclothymic temperament (characterized by mood swings) is much more common in women with PMDD, while a stable temperament is protective. Anger and sensitivity are also more common. Moderate study design 514 women in Brazil, average age 22.8 years ## What they did 514 women in Brazil with an average age of 22.8 years answered questions about premenstrual symptoms, personality, mood patterns, and emotional traits. PMDD was screened using a validated questionnaire. ## What they found 83 women (16.1%) screened positive for PMDD, and 216 (42%) had no or mild premenstrual symptoms. A cyclothymic temperament was independently associated with PMDD, while a stable temperament was associated with lower likelihood of PMDD screening. Anger and sensitivity were emotional traits significantly linked to PMDD. ## What it means for you Certain personality and mood traits appear associated with PMDD. However, this study measured traits only once and did not follow women over time, so we cannot know if these traits cause PMDD, result from it, or are simply linked. Future studies must follow women over time to understand the relationship. 514 women studied 83 screened positive for PMDD (16.1%) 216 had no or mild symptoms (42%) ## About the study Original title Affective temperaments and emotional traits are associated with a positive screening for premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Câmara RA, Köhler CA, Maes M et al. Journal Comprehensive psychiatry Year 2016 Study design Survey study Participants 514 What was tested none Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2016.08.008](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2016.08.008) Original abstract Objectives: Preliminary evidence indicates that premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) may be frequently co-morbid with bipolar spectrum disorders. In addition, the manifestations of PMDD seem similar to a subthreshold depressive mixed state. Nevertheless, the associations between PMDD and affective temperaments and emotional traits have not been previously investigated. Methods: A consecutive sample of 514 drug-free Brazilian women (mean age: 22.8; SD=5.4years) took part in this cross-sectional study. Screening for PMDD was obtained with the validated Brazilian Portuguese version of the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Affective temperaments and emotional dimensions were evaluated with the Affective and Emotional Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS). In addition, socio-demographic and data on menstrual cycle were collected. Results: According to the PSST, 83 (16.1%) women screened positive for PMDD, while 216 (42.0%) women had no/mild premenstrual symptoms. The cyclothymic temperament was independently associated with PMDD (OR=4.57; 95% CI: 2.11-9.90), while the euthymic temperament had an independent association with a lower likelihood of a positive screening for PMDD (OR=0.28; 95% CI: 0.12-0.64). In addition, anger and sensitivity emerged as emotional dimensions significantly associated with PMDD. Conclusions: A positive screening for PMDD was associated with a predominant cyclothymic temperament, while an euthymic temperament was associated with a lower likelihood for a positive screening for PMDD. These data deserve replication in prospective studies. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/) 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 Systematic review, 2026 How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together? Cohort study, 2023 Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis? Systematic review, 2012 Do women with both bipolar disorder and PMS or PMDD need different treatment? Study, 2026 How often do people have both PMDD and bipolar disorder together, and how do they affect each other? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Survey study, 2026 What is the true rate of PMDD, and does it worsen mental health conditions? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗