Study, 2025
What is premenstrual exacerbation and why does it matter?
Premenstrual exacerbation (PME) is a condition where symptoms of existing mental illnesses become much worse during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It is not the same as PMS or PMDD and is often misdiagnosed.
What they did
This article describes premenstrual exacerbation, a condition in which women with existing mental health conditions experience worsening symptoms during the luteal phase of the cycle.
What they found
PME is poorly recognized and often misdiagnosed. Women with existing mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety may experience worsening symptoms during the luteal phase, but this is frequently not recognized as PME. This leads to inadequate or inappropriate treatment.
What it means for you
Healthcare providers and women need to understand that mental illness symptoms can worsen during specific phases of the menstrual cycle. Understanding how hormones affect mental health can help with better diagnosis and treatment. However, it is not clear how common PME is or which treatments work best for it.
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms: from misdiagnosis to management
- Authors
- Kulkarni J, Mu E
- Journal
- The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- Not applicable
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2024.295
Topics
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