---
title: Can PMS or premenstrual psychosis be used as a legal defense?
description: A small subset of women experience psychotic symptoms during the premenstrual phase. This defense has largely failed in US courts but has been used in Great B
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/pms-psychosis-and-culpability-sound-or-misguided-defense-2002/
---

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- Can PMS or premenstrual psychosis be used as a legal defense?

Review, 2002

# Can PMS or premenstrual psychosis be used as a legal defense?

A small subset of women experience psychotic symptoms during the premenstrual phase. This defense has largely failed in US courts but has been used in Great Britain to support claims of diminished capacity.

 Early or limited evidence

Women of reproductive age (literature review)

## What they did

Review of medical and legal literature on premenstrual syndrome, with a focus on premenstrual psychosis and its use in criminal defense cases.

## What they found

Some women experience psychotic symptoms in the premenstrual phase. PMS has been offered as a legal defense with different outcomes between countries.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual psychosis is rare but real. Legal recognition varies by country. This is a literature review summarizing existing medical and legal sources.

up to 90%

Women of reproductive age believed to have PMS

## About the study

Original title PMS, psychosis and culpability: sound or misguided defense? Authors Downs LL Journal Journal of forensic sciences Year 2002 Study design Review What was tested Not applicable Read the paper [doi.org/10.1520/jfs15546j](https://doi.org/10.1520/jfs15546j)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-menstrual-psychosis/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Legal and forensic](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-legal-crime/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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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