Survey study, 2026
Are PMS and PMDD linked to suicidal thoughts and violence toward family?
Yes. Women with moderate-to-severe PMS had 1.76 times higher risk of suicidal thoughts, and women with PMDD had 1.88 times higher risk. Women with PMDD had 3.04 times higher likelihood of violence toward family.
What they did
A nationwide online survey of 5439 Japanese women aged 18-44 who had menstruated in the past year. Researchers assessed PMS and PMDD and asked about suicidal thoughts and violence toward family in the past year.
What they found
10.7% had moderate-to-severe PMS and 4.8% had PMDD. 20.0% reported suicidal thoughts and 3.2% reported violence toward family. Moderate-to-severe PMS was linked to 1.76-fold higher suicidal ideation risk (95% CI 1.55-1.99) and 1.90-fold higher violence odds (95% CI 1.25-2.88). PMDD was linked to 1.88-fold higher suicidal ideation (95% CI 1.62-2.17) and 3.04-fold higher violence odds (95% CI 1.88-4.91).
What it means for you
PMS and especially PMDD are linked to serious mental health and safety concerns. The main limitation is this is an observational study, so we cannot prove PMS causes these outcomes.
1.76
fold higher suicidal ideation with moderate-to-severe PMS
3.04
fold higher violence odds with PMDD
4.8%
women with PMDD diagnosis
About the study
- Original title
- Association of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder with suicidal ideation and violence toward family members in Japan
- Authors
- Furuya M, Maeda Y, Tani Y et al.
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 5,439
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.121474
Topics
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