Survey study, 1989
Do anxiety, anger, and depression increase before a woman's period?
Yes, clearly. Women with PMS had clear increases in anxiety, anger, and depression at different parts of their cycle. Those with the most obvious PMS had the strongest increases.
What they did
844 women filled out questionnaires measuring anxiety, anger, depression, and other symptoms on days 12, 18, 22, and 26 of their menstrual cycle. Researchers divided women into groups based on how much their symptoms changed across the cycle.
What they found
Women with very clear PMS showed large, clear increases in anxiety, anger, and depression over the cycle. The group with moderately clear PMS also showed increases. The relationship between PMS symptoms and emotional changes was stronger than the relationship between personality traits and these emotions.
What it means for you
Anxiety, anger, and depression clearly increase before the period in women with PMS. These mood changes are more related to the cycle than to personality, suggesting the cycle itself drives these symptoms. Symptoms were measured at multiple points in the cycle, which is stronger than asking women to remember. However, women filled out questionnaires rather than being directly observed.
844
women in study
4
assessment points across menstrual cycle
About the study
- Original title
- Emotional changes within the menstrual cycle: anxiety, anger and depression
- Authors
- Henk M. van der Ploeg, Ralf Schwarzer
- Journal
- Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Survey study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01674828909016699
Topics
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