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Non-randomised trial, 1999

Do women seeking PMS treatment actually have underlying mood or anxiety disorders?

About 39% of women seeking PMS treatment meet criteria for mood or anxiety disorders. Mood disorders were about twice as common as anxiety disorders.

Early or limited evidence 206 women seeking PMDD treatment

What they did

Researchers screened 206 women who called in response to advertisements for a PMDD treatment study. They asked each woman questions by phone based on a standard diagnostic interview tool to check for mood and anxiety disorders.

What they found

About 39% (80 women) met criteria for mood or anxiety disorders. Mood disorders were noted almost twice as commonly as anxiety disorders.

What it means for you

Many women who think they have only PMS actually have depression or anxiety that happens all month long, not just before their period. This is important because finding and treating these disorders early helps women recover better and reduces the risk of the disorders coming back.

39%

women meeting criteria for mood or anxiety disorders

206

women screened

almost twice

mood disorders compared to anxiety disorders

About the study

Original title
Prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in women who seek treatment for premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Bailey JW, Cohen LS
Journal
Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine
Year
1999
Study design
Non-randomised trial
Participants
80

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