--- title: Do women with IBS and period pain have worse symptoms? | Niyora description: Yes. Women with IBS who also have dysmenorrhea and premenstrual distress report significantly more cramping, depression, anger, and cognitive problems than wo url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/increased-symptoms-in-female-ibs-patients-with-dysmenorrhea-and-pms-2006/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with IBS and period pain have worse symptoms? Case-control study, 2006 # Do women with IBS and period pain have worse symptoms? Yes. Women with IBS who also have dysmenorrhea and premenstrual distress report significantly more cramping, depression, anger, and cognitive problems than women with IBS alone. This group may need complex, multicomponent treatment. Early or limited evidence 226 women aged 18-45 with IBS ## What they did Descriptive study combining data from three prior studies on 226 women aged 18-45 with IBS. Women were divided into four groups based on whether they had dysmenorrhea and premenstrual distress. Researchers compared pain and mood symptoms across menstrual cycle phases. ## What they found Of 226 women: 38 had both dysmenorrhea and premenstrual distress, 59 had premenstrual distress only, 15 had dysmenorrhea only, and 114 had IBS alone. Premenstrual distress strongly affected cramping at menses and was linked to higher depression, anger, and cognitive problems in both luteal and menses phases. ## What it means for you Women with both IBS and period distress may need multicomponent treatment including education, diet changes, relaxation, and cognitive strategies. The study combines data from multiple prior studies, which limits confidence in conclusions. 226 Women with IBS 38 With both dysmenorrhea and premenstrual distress 114 With IBS only ## About the study Original title Increased symptoms in female IBS patients with dysmenorrhea and PMS Authors Altman G, Cain KC, Motzer S et al. Journal Gastroenterology nursing : the official journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates Year 2006 Study design Case-control study Participants 226 What was tested Comparison of four groups with and without dysmenorrhea and premenstrual distress Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00001610-200601000-00002](https://doi.org/10.1097/00001610-200601000-00002) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[IBS and gut symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ibs-gi/) 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 Survey study, 2017 Does painful menstruation affect adolescent girls' mood, emotions, sleep, and thinking? Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Case-control study, 2003 Do IBS symptoms change across the menstrual cycle and vary by contraceptive use? Survey study, 2025 Can a plant-based supplement reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2023 How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms? Survey study, 2020 Do women with IBS and period problems have worse psychological symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗