---
title: Are premenstrual symptoms linked to emotional distress in teenage girls?
description: Yes. Girls with premenstrual symptoms had significantly more emotional distress than those without, but period pain alone was not linked to emotional distress
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-and-dysmenorrhea-in-relation-to-emotional-distress-factors-1993/
---

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- Are premenstrual symptoms linked to emotional distress in teenage girls?

Cohort study, 1993

# Are premenstrual symptoms linked to emotional distress in teenage girls?

Yes. Girls with premenstrual symptoms had significantly more emotional distress than those without, but period pain alone was not linked to emotional distress.

 Moderate study design

165 girls aged 15 to 19 years

## What they did

One hundred sixty-five girls aged 15 to 19 completed questionnaires about premenstrual symptoms, period pain, and emotional distress. Some were measured again 2 years later to track changes.

## What they found

Premenstrual symptoms correlated with period pain (r=0.54, p<0.0001). Girls with premenstrual symptoms had significantly more emotional distress than normal girls. Period pain had no relationship with emotional distress. Emotional distress scores declined over 2 years in healthy girls but not in those with premenstrual symptoms.

## What it means for you

Teenage girls with premenstrual symptoms may experience broader emotional distress, not just physical symptoms. It is unclear whether emotional distress causes or results from premenstrual symptoms. The study was limited to teenagers in one setting.

165

girls studied

r=0.54, p<0.0001

correlation between PMS and period pain

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhea in relation to emotional distress factors in adolescents Authors Freeman EW, Rickels K, Sondheimer SJ Journal Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology Year 1993 Study design Cohort study Participants 165 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/01674829309084429](https://doi.org/10.3109/01674829309084429)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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