---
title: Does premenstrual distress predict how women respond to challenges that trigger panic?
description: Women with higher premenstrual distress had significantly greater panic symptoms when breathing CO2-enriched air, but this is preliminary evidence in a small
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-distress-predicts-panic-relevant-responding-to-a-co2-challenge-2010/
---

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- Does premenstrual distress predict how women respond to challenges that trigger panic?

Survey study, 2010

# Does premenstrual distress predict how women respond to challenges that trigger panic?

Women with higher premenstrual distress had significantly greater panic symptoms when breathing CO2-enriched air, but this is preliminary evidence in a small study.

 Early or limited evidence

46 young adult women from a community sample

## What they did

46 young adult women from the community filled out questionnaires about premenstrual symptoms and anxiety. Then they breathed 10% CO2-enriched air for 4 minutes while researchers measured their panic symptoms and skin conductance responses.

## What they found

Women with higher premenstrual distress scores had significantly greater self-reported panic symptoms following the CO2 challenge, even after accounting for anxiety sensitivity, cigarette use, and alcohol consumption. For skin conductance response, premenstrual distress showed only a trend toward significance.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms may be a risk factor for experiencing intense panic symptoms when your body feels unusual. The study was small, cross-sectional (tested at one point in time), and found only preliminary evidence.

46

women studied

4

minutes of CO2 inhalation

10%

CO2 concentration

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual distress predicts panic-relevant responding to a CO2 challenge among young adult females Authors Nillni YI, Rohan KJ, Bernstein A et al. Journal Journal of anxiety disorders Year 2010 Study design Survey study Participants 46 What was tested None (tested whether existing premenstrual distress predicted responses to CO2 inhalation) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.02.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.02.006)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)

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