--- title: Do women with PMS have higher rates of postpartum depression and birth control side effects? description: Yes. Among women who had given birth, 62.6% of those with PMS had experienced postpartum depression compared to 41.4% without PMS. Among those with postpartum url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-tension-and-depression-is-there-a-relationship-1988/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with PMS have higher rates of postpartum depression and birth control side effects? Survey study, 1988 # Do women with PMS have higher rates of postpartum depression and birth control side effects? Yes. Among women who had given birth, 62.6% of those with PMS had experienced postpartum depression compared to 41.4% without PMS. Among those with postpartum depression, 69.8% of PMS patients reported birth control side effects compared to 38.9% of controls. Moderate study design 75 women with PMS (median age 35, median 2 children) and 34 control women without PMS (median age 38, median 2 children) ## What they did Prospective study: 75 women were carefully evaluated for 2 months to diagnose PMS using strict criteria and compared to 34 control women without PMS. Researchers then reviewed their history of postpartum depression, birth control pill side effects, self-esteem, and family psychiatric history. Median age was 35 years for PMS patients and 38 for controls, with a median of 2 children in each group. ## What they found PMS patients had significantly lower self-esteem than controls. Of women who had given birth, 62.6% of PMS patients had experienced postpartum depression compared with 41.4% of controls. Of those with a postpartum depression history, 69.8% of PMS patients reported birth control pill side effects compared with 38.9% of controls (statistically significant). Among PMS patients with postpartum depression history, more reported obstetric difficulties, gynecological problems, and family psychiatric history. ## What it means for you PMS may reflect a biological sensitivity to hormone fluctuations. This same sensitivity may make you more prone to depression after childbirth and side effects from hormonal birth control. This supports the idea that PMS, postpartum depression, and birth control sensitivity share a common biological cause. 75 women with PMS 62.6% postpartum depression rate among women with PMS 69.8% birth control side effects among PMS patients with postpartum depression history ## About the study Original title Premenstrual tension and depression — is there a relationship? Authors Lorraine Dennerstein, Carol A. Morse, Katrina Varnavides Journal Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology Year 1988 Study design Survey study Participants 75 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/01674828809016780](https://doi.org/10.3109/01674828809016780) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Case report, 1981 How do hormonal birth control and progesterone affect mood? Survey study, 2026 Does fear of childbirth explain why women with PMS are more likely to develop postpartum depression? Survey study, 2025 Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls? Randomised trial, 2017 Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)? Cohort study, 2015 What factors predict anxiety and depression during pregnancy and after birth? Survey study, 2014 Are depression and anxiety linked to period pain in teenage girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗