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Cohort study, 2022

Do women with both bipolar disorder and PMDD have worse biological rhythm disruptions?

Yes, women with both bipolar disorder and PMDD experienced greater disruptions in biological rhythms across both the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, especially in sleep and activity patterns.

Moderate study design Two samples: 727 population-based women and 77 outpatients with PMDD, bipolar disorder, both conditions, or neither

What they did

Two studies assessed biological rhythm disruptions. The first surveyed 727 women using a questionnaire about daily rhythms. The second followed 77 outpatient women and assessed them during mid-follicular and late-luteal phases. Both groups included women with PMDD only, bipolar disorder only, both conditions, and controls.

What they found

In the population-based sample, all three diagnostic groups showed greater biological rhythm disruption than controls, with bipolar disorder showing the most disruption. In the outpatient sample, women with both PMDD and bipolar disorder reported significantly greater rhythm disruption in social domains than women with PMDD alone, and reported disruptions across both follicular and luteal phases.

What it means for you

Having both bipolar disorder and PMDD creates additional biological rhythm problems that extend beyond the premenstrual period. The study relies on questionnaire responses rather than objective measurements, and results may not apply to all populations.

727

Women in population-based sample

77

Women in outpatient study

24

Women with both PMDD and bipolar disorder

About the study

Original title
Investigating biological rhythms disruptions across the menstrual cycle in women with comorbid bipolar disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Authors
El Dahr Y, de Azevedo Cardoso T, Syan SK et al.
Journal
Archives of women's mental health
Year
2022
Study design
Cohort study
Participants
727
What was tested
None; observational study using biological rhythm questionnaire at two time points
Open access
Yes

Topics