---
title: Is premenstrual syndrome linked to personality traits? | Niyora
description: Among 110 pregnant women, those with more severe PMS had more extreme personality traits, suggesting psychological factors may be involved. However, the study
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-and-personality-traits-a-study-on-110-pregnant-patients-1981/
---

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- Is premenstrual syndrome linked to personality traits?

Survey study, 1981

# Is premenstrual syndrome linked to personality traits?

Among 110 pregnant women, those with more severe PMS had more extreme personality traits, suggesting psychological factors may be involved. However, the study cannot prove personality causes PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

110 women in their 8th month of pregnancy

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 110 women in their 8th month of pregnancy. Women completed personality tests measuring emotionality, acceptance of sexual role, parental aptness, anxiety, and depression, plus overall PMS assessment.

## What they found

82% of women had some PMS. Women with severe PMS had more deviation from normal in personality traits. Notably, even women with no PMS symptoms showed personality differences, suggesting both very high and very low PMS may relate to personality disturbance.

## What it means for you

There may be a link between personality traits and premenstrual symptoms, though the study was small (110 women) and only looked at pregnant women, not the general population. Cross-sectional design means we cannot prove personality causes PMS or vice versa.

110

women studied

82%

with PMS

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome and personality traits: a study on 110 pregnant patients Authors Foresti G, Ferraro M, Reithaar P et al. Journal Psychotherapy and psychosomatics Year 1981 Study design Survey study Participants 110 What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1159/000287524](https://doi.org/10.1159/000287524)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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