Case-control study, 1988
Does sense of control change with the menstrual cycle in women with PMS?
Yes, women with PMS feel significantly less in control of their lives during the premenstrual phase compared to other women, while women without PMS show no such change.
What they did
The researchers followed 76 women for three months. Women completed questionnaires about their sense of control during their follicular phase and during their premenstrual phase.
What they found
Women with PMS showed significantly increased external locus of control premenstrually (feeling less in control), while women without PMS showed no significant change. Women with PMS had significantly higher external locus scores premenstrually compared to women without PMS.
What it means for you
Women with PMS experience a real shift in how much control they feel over their lives during their premenstrual phase. This shows that psychological changes happen alongside physical PMS symptoms. The 3-month prospective design strengthens the findings.
76
women studied
3 months
study duration
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome and locus of control
- Authors
- O'Boyle M, Severino SK, Hurt SW
- Journal
- International journal of psychiatry in medicine
- Year
- 1988
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2190/hmnx-9v7j-652x-pwj4