Interview study, 2026
Do women with premenstrual disorders who experienced emotional abuse see a connection between the two?
Women reported that their premenstrual symptoms resembled emotional patterns from their past abuse. The week before their period was when suppressed memories and feelings surfaced.
What they did
A qualitative study with 15 women from 9 countries who have premenstrual disorders and experienced emotional maltreatment. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with drawing tasks and analyzed them for main themes.
What they found
Four main themes emerged: 'The Storm' (overwhelming disruption of identity and functioning), 'The Window Opens' (resurfacing of suppressed material), 'Making Meaning' (acceptance, growth, and systemic critique), and 'The Drawing Experience' (visual expression and perspective shifts). Women's premenstrual symptoms mirrored emotional patterns from their past. The luteal phase (the week before the period) was when suppressed material surfaced. Using drawing in the research helped women express and understand their experiences better.
What it means for you
For some women with premenstrual disorders, symptoms may be linked to past emotional trauma. The luteal phase may be when trauma resurfaces or becomes harder to manage. This is a small exploratory study with women who self-selected to participate online, so findings cannot be generalized to all women with premenstrual disorders.
15
Women interviewed
4
Main themes identified
9
Countries represented
About the study
- Original title
- Exploring Lived Experience, Trauma Links, and the Role of Drawing in Women with Premenstrual Disorders and Histories of Emotional Maltreatment
- Authors
- Hen Polat, Bussakorn Binson, Rachel Lev‐Wiesel
- Journal
- Women s Reproductive Health
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Interview study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2623532
Topics
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