---
title: Do premenstrual symptoms affect the whole family, not just the woman?
description: Yes, this small survey found premenstrual symptoms were linked to more family conflict, less closeness, and worse communication, though it cannot prove cause
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/personal-and-family-impact-of-premenstrual-symptoms-1986/
---

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- Do premenstrual symptoms affect the whole family, not just the woman?

Survey study, 1986

# Do premenstrual symptoms affect the whole family, not just the woman?

Yes, this small survey found premenstrual symptoms were linked to more family conflict, less closeness, and worse communication, though it cannot prove cause and effect.

 Early or limited evidence

83 women and 32 men who attended an evening lecture on premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

83 women and 32 men filled out a questionnaire before an evening lecture on premenstrual syndrome, asking about symptoms, coping, and effects on the family.

## What they found

Women reported 74 different recurring premenstrual symptoms, most often in the 'tension states' category. Men said they coped mainly by offering support and expressing anger. Common themes in the family impact were increased conflict, decreased family closeness, and disrupted communication.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms can ripple out to affect partners and family life, not just the woman experiencing them. The study is small, from 1986, relies on self-report from people attending a lecture, and has no control group, so results may not apply broadly.

83

Women surveyed

32

Men surveyed

74

Distinct recurring symptoms reported

## About the study

Original title Personal and family impact of premenstrual symptoms Authors Brown MA, Zimmer PA Journal Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN Year 1986 Study design Survey study Participants 83 What was tested None (survey only) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.1986.tb01364.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.1986.tb01364.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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