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.
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
Topics
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