---
title: Is premenstrual syndrome inherited from your family? | Niyora
description: A study found that genes play a small role in who gets PMS symptoms. One genetic change was linked to PMS, and this same genetic pattern is also linked to dep
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/genome-wide-association-study-of-distressing-premenstrual-symptoms-in-two-nordic-2025/
---

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- Is premenstrual syndrome inherited from your family?

Survey study, 2025

# Is premenstrual syndrome inherited from your family?

A study found that genes play a small role in who gets PMS symptoms. One genetic change was linked to PMS, and this same genetic pattern is also linked to depression.

 Strong study design

54,789 women of European ancestry from Denmark and Sweden, including 17,511 with distressing premenstrual symptoms

## What they did

Scientists looked at the DNA of 54,789 women from Denmark and Sweden. 17,511 of them had distressing premenstrual symptoms. They compared the DNA to find genetic changes that were more common in women with PMS.

## What they found

One genetic location was linked to distressing premenstrual symptoms. The genes linked to distressing premenstrual symptoms were also linked to major depression. There was a weaker link to endometriosis. Hormone levels in the blood were not linked to these genes.

## What it means for you

This is the first study to look at genes and PMS. It found one genetic link and showed that PMS and depression share some genes, which may explain why mood problems happen together with PMS. However, this study needs to be repeated in other populations to be sure the findings hold true.

17,511

Women with distressing premenstrual symptoms

54,789

Total women studied

1

Genetic locations identified

## About the study

Original title Genome-Wide Association Study of Distressing Premenstrual Symptoms in Two Nordic Populations Authors Hysaj E, Jaholkowski P, Shadrin AA et al. Journal medRxiv Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 54,789 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.01.25341208](https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.01.25341208)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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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What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

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What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

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