---
title: How do women with PMS differ from those without PMS on mental health?
description: Women with PMS had higher depression and stress than community women without it. Some women without a PMS diagnosis showed cyclical symptom patterns, suggesti
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-symptoms-comparison-of-a-non-clinical-sample-with-a-patient-1988/
---

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- How do women with PMS differ from those without PMS on mental health?

Survey study, 1988

# How do women with PMS differ from those without PMS on mental health?

Women with PMS had higher depression and stress than community women without it. Some women without a PMS diagnosis showed cyclical symptom patterns, suggesting they may develop PMS later.

 Early or limited evidence

32 community women and 75 women with diagnosed PMS

## What they did

Researchers compared 32 community women without PMS to 75 with diagnosed PMS. They gave tests measuring depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem. Menstrual symptoms were rated at follicular phase (days 6-8) and premenstrual phase (days 26-28) over two cycles. Urine hormone levels were measured. The women were divided into 13 with pronounced cyclical symptoms and 19 with minimal changes.

## What they found

Women with PMS had higher depression, stress, and lower self-esteem than community women. The 13 community women with pronounced cyclical symptoms were identified as an "at-risk" group for developing PMS.

## What it means for you

Women with PMS appear to have more depression and stress than those without it. Some women without a diagnosis may be at future risk. The main limit is the small sample and cross-sectional design, which shows correlation but not cause and effect.

32

community women without diagnosed PMS

75

women with diagnosed PMS

13

community women with pronounced cyclical symptoms

## About the study

Original title Menstrual cycle symptoms: comparison of a non-clinical sample with a patient group Authors Morse CA, Dennerstein L, Varnavides K et al. Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 1988 Study design Survey study Participants 75 What was tested None; this was a comparison study. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(88)90070-5](https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(88)90070-5)

## Topics

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

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