Survey study, 2013
Is health anxiety connected to PMS and PMDD?
Yes, women with PMS and PMDD reported significantly more health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity than those with mild or no PMS. These links remained even after accounting for general anxiety, and both groups reported worse quality of life overall.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 731 college women divided into three groups by symptom severity (PMDD, moderate/severe PMS, mild/no PMS). Measured health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, general anxiety, and health-related quality of life.
What they found
Women with PMDD and moderate/severe PMS reported higher levels of health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity compared to those with mild or no PMS. These associations were not explained by trait anxiety alone. Both groups also reported significantly lower health-related quality of life.
What it means for you
Worry about health and heightened awareness of bodily sensations may be part of what causes or maintains PMS and PMDD. However, this is a snapshot study from a college sample, so we can't prove these worries cause the disorder rather than result from it.
731
college women studied
About the study
- Original title
- Perceptions of health and somatic sensations in women reporting premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Craner J, Sigmon S, Martinson A et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of nervous and mental disease
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 731
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/nmd.0b013e3182a213f1
Topics
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