--- title: Do women with PMS focus more on themselves when stressed? | Niyora description: Women with PMS and PMDD report using more self-focused attention when stressed, even when their level of negative emotion is similar to women without PMS. Thi url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/self-focused-attention-in-response-to-laboratory-stressors-among-women-with-2015/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with PMS focus more on themselves when stressed? Case-control study, 2015 # Do women with PMS focus more on themselves when stressed? Women with PMS and PMDD report using more self-focused attention when stressed, even when their level of negative emotion is similar to women without PMS. This inward focus may increase their distress during the menstrual cycle. Early or limited evidence 52 women (24 with premenstrual disorders, 28 controls), tracked for 30 days ## What they did Case-control study of 52 women (24 with premenstrual disorders including PMS or PMDD, 28 healthy controls). Researchers categorized women based on retrospective report, clinical interview, and 30 days of symptom tracking. In laboratory stress tasks, they measured how much women focused on themselves. ## What they found Women with premenstrual disorders reported greater self-focused attention in response to negative emotions from laboratory tasks than controls, despite no significant difference in negative affect levels between groups. Women with premenstrual disorders also reported higher trait self-focused attention and more maladaptive coping styles in daily life. ## What it means for you Women with PMS and PMDD may respond to menstrual cycle changes by focusing attention inward, which increases distress. Psychological approaches teaching outward focus or problem-solving might help. However, the study is small and lab-based, and it is unclear whether self-focused attention causes or results from PMS symptoms. 24 women with premenstrual disorders 28 healthy control women 30 days symptom tracking period ## About the study Original title Self-focused attention in response to laboratory stressors among women with premenstrual disorders Authors Craner JR, Sigmon ST, Martinson AA Journal Archives of women's mental health Year 2015 Study design Case-control study Participants 52 What was tested None; observational study, though in laboratory stress tasks Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0505-4](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0505-4) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/) 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 Randomised trial, 2019 Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD? Review, 2003 How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD? Cohort study, 2025 Do pain sensitivity and negative thinking explain how trauma and stress cause PMS or PMDD? Case-control study, 2023 Do emotion regulation strategies help women with PMDD manage mood and stress hormones? Randomised trial, 2022 Do hormone pills prevent suicidal thoughts from getting worse around menstruation? Cohort study, 2022 What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗