---
title: Is mood instability higher in women with PMS than in women without PMS?
description: Yes. Women with PMS showed significantly more irritable and depressed mood instability than women without PMS, even at other times of the cycle besides the lu
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/mood-instability-in-women-with-premenstrual-syndrome-2011/
---

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- Is mood instability higher in women with PMS than in women without PMS?

Cohort study, 2011

# Is mood instability higher in women with PMS than in women without PMS?

Yes. Women with PMS showed significantly more irritable and depressed mood instability than women without PMS, even at other times of the cycle besides the luteal phase.

 Moderate study design

29 women with self-identified PMS and 31 women without PMS, excluding those on hormonal birth control or with depression history

## What they did

Prospective study over two menstrual cycles. 29 women with self-identified PMS and 31 women without PMS rated their mood twice daily using visual scales. The study excluded women on hormonal birth control or with a history of depression.

## What they found

Women with PMS had more irritable and depressed mood instability than women without PMS. Irritable and depressed moods typically increased during the late luteal phase (seven days before menstruation). However, women with PMS showed a variety of mood patterns throughout the entire cycle.

## What it means for you

PMS may involve ongoing problems with mood regulation rather than just symptoms in one phase of the cycle. The study was limited by a small sample and by using self-diagnosis of PMS rather than formal diagnostic criteria.

29

Women with PMS

31

Women without PMS

2

Menstrual cycles tracked

## About the study

Original title Mood instability in women with premenstrual syndrome Authors Bowen R, Bowen A, Baetz M et al. Journal Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC Year 2011 Study design Cohort study Participants 31 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s1701-2163(16)35018-6](https://doi.org/10.1016/s1701-2163(16)35018-6)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)

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