---
title: Are premenstrual symptoms inherited, and are they related to major depression?
description: About 56% of stable premenstrual symptoms appear to be inherited. The genetic factors for depression and premenstrual symptoms are mostly separate and not clo
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/longitudinal-population-based-twin-study-of-retrospectively-reported-1998/
---

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- Are premenstrual symptoms inherited, and are they related to major depression?

Cohort study, 1998

# Are premenstrual symptoms inherited, and are they related to major depression?

About 56% of stable premenstrual symptoms appear to be inherited. The genetic factors for depression and premenstrual symptoms are mostly separate and not closely related.

 Moderate study design

1,312 menstruating female twins ascertained from a population-based twin register

## What they did

A twin study of 1,312 menstruating female twins from a population register. Researchers assessed premenstrual-related tiredness, sadness, and irritability, and lifetime major depression at two time points 6 years apart. They used statistical models to account for measurement errors in recalled symptoms.

## What they found

A single premenstrual symptom factor was found that was moderately stable over time. Heritability of the stable component was estimated at 56%. Family-environmental factors had no impact. Genetic and environmental risk factors for major depression contributed only modestly to the cause of premenstrual symptoms.

## What it means for you

Your genes play a large role in whether you have premenstrual symptoms, while family environment plays little role. Premenstrual symptoms and major depression are not closely related as genetic conditions. A major limitation is that this study relied on women recalling past symptoms, which can be unreliable.

1,312

Number of twins studied

56%

Heritability of stable premenstrual symptoms

6 years

Time between the two assessments

## About the study

Original title Longitudinal population-based twin study of retrospectively reported premenstrual symptoms and lifetime major depression Authors Kendler KS, Karkowski LM, Corey LA et al. Journal The American journal of psychiatry Year 1998 Study design Cohort study Participants 1,312 What was tested None (observational) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1176/ajp.155.9.1234](https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.155.9.1234)

## Topics

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

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