--- title: What menstrual and mental health factors are linked to high-risk premenstrual dysphoric disorder? description: Heavy periods, irregular cycles, severe period pain, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low resilience were all linked to higher PMDD risk. Resilience might url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-and-psychosocial-characteristics-associated-with-high-risk-of-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What menstrual and mental health factors are linked to high-risk premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2024 # What menstrual and mental health factors are linked to high-risk premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Heavy periods, irregular cycles, severe period pain, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low resilience were all linked to higher PMDD risk. Resilience might help buffer the effects of anxiety and depression. About half of students studied had high-risk PMDD. Moderate study design 541 Chinese university students in Hong Kong ## What they did Online survey of 541 Chinese university students in Hong Kong. They measured menstrual characteristics (flow, cycle regularity, pain) and psychosocial factors (anxiety, depression, loneliness, resilience). ## What they found Approximately 53% of participants had high-risk PMDD. Heavy menstrual flow increased odds 2.17 times, irregular cycles 1.72 times, and severe period pain 2.80 times. Anxiety and depression each increased odds about 2.2 times, loneliness 1.94 times, and low resilience 2.21 times. Resilience showed a potential buffering effect. ## What it means for you Both physical menstrual characteristics and mental health factors matter for PMDD risk. The study suggests that building resilience might help reduce risk, but this is correlational. We don't know if improving these factors will actually reduce PMDD symptoms. 53% Proportion at high risk of PMDD 2.80 Adjusted odds ratio for dysmenorrhea 2.22 Adjusted odds ratio for depression ## About the study Original title Menstrual and psychosocial characteristics associated with high-risk of premenstrual dysphoric disorder among university students: a cross-sectional study Authors Lee JJ, Wang T, Park J et al. Journal Women & health Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 541 What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2024.2304899](https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2024.2304899) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) 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 Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Survey study, 2026 Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2026 How common is PMDD among college women and what increases the risk? Review, 2026 How much do PMS and menstrual disorders affect women's work, school, and quality of life? Survey study, 2025 Do adverse childhood experiences increase PMS and menstrual symptoms in adulthood? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗