---
title: Do common diseases get worse before a woman's period? | Niyora
description: Yes. A significant number of women with asthma, arthritis, migraine, diabetes, depression, or epilepsy report that their symptoms get worse before their perio
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/gender-based-differences-and-menstrual-cycle-related-changes-in-specific-2000/
---

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- Do common diseases get worse before a woman's period?

Review, 2000

# Do common diseases get worse before a woman's period?

Yes. A significant number of women with asthma, arthritis, migraine, diabetes, depression, or epilepsy report that their symptoms get worse before their period, though doctors do not yet fully understand why.

 Moderate study design

Women with asthma, arthritis, migraine, diabetes, depression, or epilepsy

## What they did

This is a literature review article examining how disease symptoms change across the menstrual cycle in six common conditions. It recommends women use a menstrual calendar to track symptoms for 2 to 3 cycles.

## What they found

Women with asthma, arthritis, migraine, diabetes, depression, and epilepsy often experience worsening symptoms premenstrually. Women visit physicians more frequently and report physical symptoms at higher rates than men. If cyclic patterns are found, women may try to avoid triggers or use medication adjusted to their cycle.

## What it means for you

If you have one of these six conditions and notice symptoms get worse before your period, tracking your symptoms is a simple first step. However, this review does not specify how many women are affected or provide evidence about specific treatments for these worsening symptoms.

2 to 3

Number of menstrual cycles to track symptoms

6

Diseases reviewed for menstrual cycle-related changes

## About the study

Original title Gender-based differences and menstrual cycle-related changes in specific diseases: implications for pharmacotherapy Authors Ensom MH Journal Pharmacotherapy Year 2000 Study design Review What was tested Symptom tracking and possible medication timing; GnRH analogues for severe cases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1592/phco.20.6.523.35161](https://doi.org/10.1592/phco.20.6.523.35161)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)[Epilepsy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-epilepsy/)

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## Related studies

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