--- title: Does a history of mood problems with your period predict depression during menopause? description: Yes, women with a history of mood changes before their period or depression after childbirth were more likely to have depression symptoms during menopause. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prior-reproductive-and-non-reproductive-depression-and-depressive-symptoms-in-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does a history of mood problems with your period predict depression during menopause? Survey study, 2026 # Does a history of mood problems with your period predict depression during menopause? Yes, women with a history of mood changes before their period or depression after childbirth were more likely to have depression symptoms during menopause. Moderate study design 180 people (median age 51, 61% perimenopausal, 39% postmenopausal) at menopause clinics ## What they did Cross-sectional analysis of 180 people attending menopause clinics. Researchers asked about mood changes before periods, depression after childbirth, and other past depression, then measured current depression symptoms. ## What they found Premenstrual mood disorder showed the strongest link with depression (B=7.2, p=0.0037), followed by depression after childbirth (B=5.7, p=0.013). Other types of past depression were not significant in the final analysis. ## What it means for you Women who experienced mood changes related to their menstrual cycle or after childbirth may be at higher risk for depression during menopause. This could help identify vulnerable women. However, the study was observational and limited to clinic patients, so larger studies in the general population would be needed. 180 participants 7.2 depression increase from premenstrual mood disorder 51 median age ## About the study Original title Prior reproductive and non-reproductive depression, and depressive symptoms in menopausal transition Authors Schipper M, Morssinkhof MWL, van Dijken DKE et al. Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 180 What was tested None (observational study) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.122361](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.122361) Original abstract Objective: The menopausal transition is associated with an increased risk of depression. Prior depression is a well-established risk factor, but studies do not distinguish between prior reproductive and non-reproductive depression. We aimed to examine whether prior reproductive (i.e., premenstrual mood disorder and perinatal depression) and non-reproductive (i.e., not related to hormonal transitions) depression were differentially associated with depressive symptoms during the menopausal transition. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from menopause outpatient clinics, including a multidisciplinary clinic. Exposures included premenstrual mood disorder assessed with the Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool, perinatal depression assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-Lifetime version, and prior non-reproductive depression recorded in medical records. Current depressive symptoms were measured with the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Rated. We used univariable and multivariable linear regression models to examine associations; multivariable models accounted for overlap between exposures. Results: Among 180 participants (median age 51; 61% perimenopausal, 39% postmenopausal), premenstrual mood disorder showed the strongest association with depressive symptom severity (B = 9.0, 95% CI 5.1-12.9, p < 0.001), followed by perinatal depression (B = 7.8, 95% CI 3.4-12.1, p < 0.001) and prior non-reproductive depression (B = 4.7, 95% CI 0.7-8.7, p = 0.021). In multivariable analysis, only premenstrual mood disorder (B = 7.2, 95% CI 2.4-12.1, p = 0.0037) and perinatal depression (B = 5.7, 95% CI 1.2-10.1, p = 0.013) remained associated with depressive symptom severity. Conclusion: Prior reproductive depression, but not prior non-reproductive depression, was associated with greater depressive symptom severity during the menopausal transition. Histories of premenstrual mood disorder and/or perinatal depression may help identify individuals vulnerable to depressive symptoms during this period. Prospective studies in population-based samples are needed. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Reproductive hormone sensitivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-hormone-sensitivity/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/) 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 Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Review, 2016 How do reproductive hormones affect mood and behavior in women? Review, 2012 Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause? Systematic review, 2026 Does childhood trauma increase the risk for PMS, PMDD, and related mood disorders? Non-randomised trial, 2014 Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause? Cohort study, 2023 Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗