---
title: Does having PMS or PMDD increase the risk of postpartum depression?
description: Yes. Women with a history of PMS or PMDD are nearly twice as likely to develop postpartum depression.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/examination-of-premenstrual-symptoms-as-a-risk-factor-for-depression-in-2013/
---

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- Does having PMS or PMDD increase the risk of postpartum depression?

Survey study, 2013

# Does having PMS or PMDD increase the risk of postpartum depression?

Yes. Women with a history of PMS or PMDD are nearly twice as likely to develop postpartum depression.

 Moderate study design

Women screened for postpartum depression in the first three months after birth

## What they did

Researchers screened women for postpartum depression using questionnaires. Women who screened positive were interviewed and assessed for a history of PMS or PMDD.

## What they found

Women with PMS or PMDD were 1.97 times more likely to have postpartum depression. History of PMS or PMDD added 2% more to explaining depression risk beyond other factors like age and financial status. The complete model explained 13% of postpartum depression risk.

## What it means for you

Women with a history of PMS or PMDD should be monitored for depression during and after pregnancy. The main limit is that PMS or PMDD was assessed from memory, which may not be accurate.

1.97

Risk increase for postpartum depression

2%

Added variance from PMS history

13%

Total depression risk explained

## About the study

Original title Examination of premenstrual symptoms as a risk factor for depression in postpartum women Authors Buttner MM, Mott SL, Pearlstein T et al. Journal Archives of women's mental health Year 2013 Study design Survey study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0323-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0323-x)

## 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/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

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Case-control study, 2024

Do steroid hormone levels change differently across the menstrual cycle in women with PMDD?

Review, 2023

What treatments help mental and physical health problems linked to the menstrual cycle?

Cohort study, 2023

Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis?

Survey study, 2022

What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?

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