Survey study, 2016
How do mental health conditions change during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause?
Women have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders than men. This review found that these conditions may change during the premenstrual phase and other reproductive stages, though it summarized existing research rather than testing new treatments.
What they did
A review of published studies about mental health in women during premenstrual phases, pregnancy, and perimenopause, including information about brain chemicals and hormones during these periods.
What they found
Affective, anxiety, somatoform and eating disorders are more prevalent in women than men, whereas substance use disorders occur more commonly in men, and some disorders like psychotic disorders are equally distributed in both sexes.
What it means for you
This summarizes what we already know from research about how mental health may change during women's reproductive years. Because it's a review of existing research rather than a new study, the quality depends on what studies were available to review.
About the study
- Original title
- [Mental disorders in women: Natural course during premenstrual phases, peripartum period and perimenopause]
- Authors
- Martini J, Knappe S, Garthus-Niegel S et al.
- Journal
- Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None (literature review)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-110838
Topics
Related studies
Review, 2002
What are the reproductive-related mood disorders and how are they connected?
Review, 2022
Does mood and anxiety worsen during menstruation?
Non-randomised trial, 2014
Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause?
Survey study, 2006
Does the menstrual cycle affect how severe OCD symptoms are?
Review, 1993
What mood disorders affect women and how should they be treated?
Case report, 1981
How do hormonal birth control and progesterone affect mood?